By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Hunting enthusiasts can enjoy Acorns Wild, a 1,000 acre tract located about five miles southwest of Junction City. Owner Mike Harris said the property is basically an extension of Acorns Resort, which is at Milford Lake.
The Acorns Wild property was acquired a little over a year ago. "We've been working on developing some activities so that guests that come to the resort can also come down here and enjoy some of the activities, "said Harris.
The property is a controlled shooting area that includes habitat for upland game birds such as pheasants, quail and chukar. "We buy the birds from a vendor and set them out there. Then people come through." There is an extended hunting season that begins Oct. 1. Guides and dogs will be provided or you can use your own dogs.
The site opened Oct. 1, 2021 and just in year one there were several hundred guests. To make a reservation call the Acorns Resort office at 785-463-4000, ext. 1.
Creation of Acorns Wild is intended to help attract hunters as one way to get people to visit the Flint Hills and stay in Geary County.
Elk are also being raised at Acorns Wild. "Eventually once we get the herd numbers up to where we need them to be we will be doing farm to table," said Harris. Elk will be raised at Acorns Wild, served in the Cove restaurant at the resort and then eventually via retail sales at the resort office.
Harris noted that right now they have a lot of calves at Acorns Wild adding that it's calving season. "So are a little over half way done with calving."
Meanwhile at Acorns Resort, repairs are progressing following the Milford Lake high water year of 2019. This is the busy summer recreation season at the resort.