Berentz-Dick (Buffalo Ranch) Wildlife Area

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The Wildlife Area has several small stockwater ponds and one larger pond. These ponds provide the angler with an opportunity to fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. The larger pond is stocked bi-annually with channel catfish. Length and creel limits apply and are also posted on area information signs. The area is open to fishing daily. The wildlife area consists of three separate tracts totaling 1,360 acres. Vegetation on the rolling hills is primarily native grassland, interspersed with oak timber. The area wildlife includes quail, dove, deer, turkey, squirrel and rabbit. Hunting is restricted to Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday only. Camping is restricted to the two parking areas. Due to the large grasslands, open fires are not allowed. Small food plots are located on the western boundary of the property.

Phone:
Address:
5089 CR 2925
Independence,KS    67301
County/Counties:

Manager: Darin Porter
Phone: 620-331-6820

Area News - Updated: 06/17/2022

Area News

HUNTING IS ALLOWED ON TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS AND SATURDAYS ONLY.

The Berentz-Dick Wildlife Area, also known as the Buffalo Ranch, is located in the Cross-Timbers region of Kansas and is comprised of 1360 acres of native grass, oak timber and ponds.  The property is called the Buffalo Ranch due to the fact it was used to graze buffalo in the 1950's. The property was purchased by a donation by Lynn Berentz from Max Dick in 1993. 

The Berentz-Dick Wildlife Area (Buffalo Ranch) requires a mandatory check in for hunters to be completed .

Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. 

Sunflowers were planted in 2019.  NO SUNFLOWERS SURVIVED THE EXTREME RAINFALL, DEER DAMAGE AND COOL TEMPERATURES THIS SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER.

 

MANAGED DOVE HUNTING SUNFLOWER FIELDS ARE AVAILABLE AT MINED LAND WA AND GRAND OSAGE WA. CHECK THE KDWPT WEB SITE FOR MANAGED FIELDS LOCATED ACROSS THE STATE.

The area is open to hunting on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays only with shotgun or archery only.  No muzzle loaders or center fire rifles are allowed.  Rimfire .22 caliber is only allowed in conjunction with trapping activities. 

Fence construction will be taking place this late summer and early fall.  Contractors will be working on the North Central portion of the property.

Fall food plots will be planted as weather allows.

General Information
Phone:
Address:
5089 CR 2925
 
Independence, KS    67301
County/Counties:

Manager: Darin Porter
Phone: 620-331-6820


Special Regulations
  • All non-hunting users are required to register daily at the iron rangers located at the two primary parking areas at the northwest corner and on the east 80 acres on the blacktop road.
  • The area is open to hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only. Hunters can check in /check out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using their licensing login credentials. 
  • Hunting is limited to shotgun with slugs or pellets and archery only. No muzzleloaders, centerfire or rimfire firearms are allowed.
  • The area is open to fishing and hiking every day. Fishing is allowed on area ponds and statewide restrictions are in place.
  • All off-road vehicles are prohibited.
  • Camping is restricted to two parking areas.
  • No open fires are allowed, due to the large expanses of grassland.

Special Features: The Buffalo Ranch gets it name locally from the herd of Buffalo that were held on the ranch in the 1950's.

Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.

History

Berentz-Dick Wildlife Area, more commonly known as the Buffalo Ranch, is comprised of 1360 acres of native grass, oak timber and ponds. The ranch was grazed by buffalo in the 1950's. The property was purchased and donated to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks by the estate of Lynn Berentz. Mr. Berentz passed away in 1991, and designated a portion of his estate be utilized to establish a wildlife area in southeast Kansas. The property was selected and purchased from Max Dick in 1993. Funding for the operation and development of the property is provided by the Lynn Berentz Wildtrust Fund.  Cattle grazing is a historical use of the property, and a portion is grazed under contract during the summer months.