Northwest Region is roughly the northwest one-fourth of the state and includes 26 counties. The western half of this region is within the High Plains physiographic landscape. The Kansas High Plains region is an arid shortgrass prairie that has been changed dramatically by agriculture and land-use practices. This mix of prairie and farmland makes the western half of Region 1 ideal for pheasants, mule deer, and pronghorn. The eastern half of the region is made up of the Smoky Hills, an immense area of native prairie named for the Smoky Hill River which courses through the northern portion of Kansas. This part of the region includes the state’s best pheasant hunting, and the combination of native grassland and cultivated bottom areas creates excellent habitat for a variety of other wildlife. Region 1 also includes eight federal reservoirs, which provide outstanding public hunting, fishing, boating, and state park opportunities.