Kaw River Outfitters

Kaw River Outfitters started as a waterfowl-only operation almost 20 years ago. Owner Daniel Palenske expanded into whitetail hunts in 2018 after clients kept asking, then added turkey in 2019. Based 10 minutes east of Manhattan in rural Wamego, the operation now offers fully guided hunts across three species.

Palenske has hunted this area his entire life. He spends off-season days scouting migration routes, feeding areas, and bedding grounds—which is why he knows where ducks and geese land, where trophy bucks move, and when turkeys gobble. That's not marketing talk. That's the difference between a guide who reads a map and one who reads the land.

• •Hunt Structure: Hunts wrap around noon (CDT), which lets guides scout for the next day. No evening waterfowl hunts.

Unlike outfitters that lock you into 5-day packages or require groups of 4, KRO books hunts however you want them: weekdays, weekends, single day, multiple days, solo hunter, full group. Customize it to your schedule.

• •Payment: 50% non-refundable deposit due within 10 days of booking. Full balance due before the hunt.

Waterfowl: Duck and goose hunts depending on season and conditions. Decoys, calls, and blinds provided. Clients regularly hit limits. Brad says they're "experts at decoying and calling them in." Adam bagged a limit of geese and calls it "some of the best goose hunting I've ever been a part of."

Whitetail: Trophy areas in northeast Kansas. Comfortable lodging on-site (newly built). Clients report "plenty of big deer" and "great setup."

Turkey: Hunts in densely populated turkey country. Fall season.

KRO enforces strict hunting safety protocols. All hunters sign liability waivers. No alcohol 8 hours before or during hunts. No solo animal tracking—always with a guide or designated volunteer. Violations result in immediate removal without refund.

"It's like hunting with friends. From the time that I've left, I've been looking forward to returning." — Russ

"The limits of ducks were great and the geese a big bonus, but your making our hunt with 3 generations of our family together again was the true trophy!" — Jim

"Daniel and his team know where to hunt and are experts at decoying and calling them in. I've been out with them several times and they do not disappoint!" — Brad

Kaw River Outfitters 32873 Highway K-18 Manhattan, KS 66502 (About 10 minutes east of Manhattan)

785-556-0886 [email protected]

• •Lodging Available: Newly built on-site accommodation for additional fee.