Kansas Hunting Report for South-Central Kansas

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Region 1 NW KS | Region 2 NE KS
Region 3 SW KS | Region 4 SCen KS | Region 5 SE KS
Kansas Reports from Hunters

Region 4 Waterfowl Report Summary
State Report last checked February 19, 2009 4:28 pm.

BYRON WALKER WILDLIFE AREA/KINGMAN STATE PARK - Last Updated: 2/11/2009

Waterfowl numbers 100 geese using the lake. Mallard rating 7.

Water level Most marshes are currently full, the NW marsh started filling 11/24/08. The lake and area ponds are also full. Two of the marshes south of highway 54 are full and the third is partially full.

Hunting conditions Japanese millet was planted in 4 marshes this summer. These marshes are flooded and providing good hunting conditions. The lake and area ponds are also full and providing good waterfowl attraction.

Expected hunting success 0 geese were harvested the past week.

Comments Hunters using Byron Walker Wildlife Area ARE REQUIRED to pick up a free hunting permit from one of the 18 orange permit stations on the area prior to hunting. These permits take just a few moments to fill out and the information gained from them will provide important statistics to be used in the future management of the area. Direction for using the permits are located at the orange permit stations. Both halves of the permit must be turned in to satisfy posted requirements.

CHENEY - Last Updated: 1/16/2009

Waterfowl numbers
1800 mixed ducks, more divers than puddle ducks, still a lot of common mergansers; anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 canada geese observed during the week, close to 200 hundred snows

Mallard migration rank = 4

Water level 0.12 ft. above conservation pool

Hunting conditions Fair

Expected hunting success Fair

Comments Remember the Refuge boundary on the water. Boundary is indicated on our maps.

COUNCIL GROVE - Last Updated: 2/16/2009

Waterfowl numbers No snow geese oberved. Very few waterfowl.

Water level 1.1' below conservation elevation (1,274') and releasing.

Hunting conditions Lake ice free on 2/16.

Expected hunting success Poor.

Comments
Duck and Dark Goose Seasons are CLOSED.

Light Goose Conservation Order is in effect through April 30.

Timely precipitation throughout the summer, followed by full lake levels, have prevented establishment of food producing annual plants. As such few food resources are available for waterfowl along the lake edge.

The Gilmore Creek Wetland is dry. Please see the Council Grove Wildlife Area "News" web page for more information about this project.

EL DORADO - Last Updated: 2/13/2009

Waterfowl numbers
Less than 1,000 ducks (mostly mallards and goldeneyes) and 7,000 canada geese. Numbers will change daily.

Mallard Migration Rank =

Water level Lake is at conservation pool (1339.0)

Hunting conditions Fair.

Expected hunting success Duck season is closed. Goose hunting is expected to be fair to good.

Comments
El Dorado Reservoir is located in the low plains late zone. Regular season dates: Oct 25-Dec 28, 2008 and Jan 17-25, 2009. Canada Goose season dates: Oct 25-26 and Nov 5, 2008-Feb 15, 2009.

Flooding throughout the spring and summer have prevented the establishment of food producing annual plants. Food resources will be limited for waterfowl along the lake edge.

KAW - Last Updated: 2/13/2009

Waterfowl numbers There is approximately 40 geese using the river area.

Mallard Migration Rank=10 The rank is subjective and is from (0= No Mallards, 1=Very few Mallards, 5=Moderate numbers, 10= Peak numbers).

Water level normal

Hunting conditions Poor/Fair

Expected hunting success Poor/Fair

Comments

MCPHERSON VALLEY WETLANDS - Last Updated: 1/16/2009

Waterfowl numbers Approximately 450 mallards. Several thousand geese (all species) observed out in the county off the wildlife area. (mainly in the Buhler area).

Mallard Migration Rank
Current rank is 2.

This rank is subjective and ranges from 0 (no mallards) to 10 (peak numbers)

Water level
Currently frozen, but with forecasted highs, we should start to thaw back out this weekend.

Only place currently lacking water is the main refuge in the Big Basin. Currently, all hunting pools have huntable water.

Big Basin - 3/4 full

Chain of lakes - Full

Farland Lake / Little Sinkhole - Full

Hunting conditions
Fair to good.

The final segment of the low-plains late duck zone will open January 17th and run through the 25th.

Expected hunting success
Fair for geese. Hunting pressure has been light to moderate.

The low plains early zone is closed for ducks. (see below)

Season results: (as of 12/31)

2,749 hunters, have harvested 3,133 ducks and 36 geese.
366 pheasants have also been harvested so far this season.

Comments
THE EARLY LOW PLAINS DUCK ZONE IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! (this includes the Big Basin and Chain of Lakes units)

THE LATE LOW PLAINS DUCK ZONE WILL RE-OPEN FOR THE SECOND SEGMENT ON JANUARY 17 THROUGH JANUARY 25, 2009 (this includes the Little Sinkhole / Farland Lake unit southeast of Inman).

Both Refuge areas located in the Big Basin unit are closed to Hunting!

For refuge locations, please see the link McPherson Wetlands brochure and map on the McPherson Wetlands web page for these changes or contact the area office for more information at (620)-241-7669.

All hunters must pick up and fill out free daily hunting permits located at all the parking lots on the area. These permits must be carried with you while hunting at MPWL, and returned to the permit boxes once hunting activities are complete for the day. Also, all shotgun hunters at McPherson Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds.

Keep in mind, during and after rain events, area roads become very greasy. Please use caution and good judgement before entering these roadways.

Please report all wildlife and public lands violations that you witness by calling the area headquarters at (620)-241-7669. Please leave a detailed message with violation specifics.

SLATE CREEK WETLANDS - Last Updated: 2/13/2009

Waterfowl Numbers There is approximately 50 geese using the area and surrounding private land.

Mallard Migration Rank = 10 The rank is subjective and is from 1-10 (0=No Mallards, 1=Very few Mallards, 5=Moderate numbers, 10=Peak numbers).

Water level All pools have water in them.

Hunting conditions Good habitat and water everywhere.

Expected hunting success Poor/Fair

Comments
Duck Season is January 17, 2009 thru Janaury 25, 2009.

Goose Season is Novemeber 5, 2008 thru February 15, 2009.

Hunters using Slate Creek Wetlands Area ARE REQUIRED to pick up a free hunting permit from one of the five orange permit stations on the area prior to hunting. These permits take just a few moments to fill out and the information gained from them will provide important statistics to be used in the future management of the area. Directions for using the permits are located at the orange permit stations.

MARION - Last Updated: 2/18/2009

Waterfowl Numbers 2000 mallards and 6,500 canada geese. 16 bald eagles are also using the reservoir.

Mallard Migration Rating Current Rating= 1 The rank is subjective and is from (0= No Mallards, 1=Very few Mallards, 5=Moderate numbers, 10= Peak numbers).

Water level Reservior is (1350.50) conservation pool (1350.50).

Hunting conditions Conditions are fair. The lake is 0% ice covered with conditions changing daily. Ice is NOT safe to venture out on.

Expected hunting success Duck season is closed for the season. Dark goose hunting is closed for the season as well. A few snow geese are using the resevoir but numbers are rather low.

Comments Remember the Reservoir now has ZEBRA MUSSELS. Make sure to Clean, Drain and Dry your equipment. Clean all visible vegetation and mud from decoys, bags, waders, etc. Drain water from deocy bags and boats. Allow equipment to Dry for a five day period before using it at another area, OR wash with high-pressure hot water. The Late Zone duck season runs through December 28 and January 17 through January 25. Dark Goose season begins November 5 through February 15.

Region 1 NW KS | Region 2 NE KS
Region 3 SW KS | Region 4 SCen KS | Region 5 SE KS
Kansas Reports from Hunters

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