South Central
This is a collection of all the South Central Waterfowl Reports
CHENEY - Last Updated: 1/19/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Staff have been noticing more birds in the area with the colder weather. Reminder duck season is closed until 1/20/24. |
| Water level | 5.6 feet below Conservation Pool on reservoir. |
| Hunting conditions | Poor The recent rains have brought the lake up some. However, the water line is still far from the vegetation line. Percent Ice Cover 99% |
| Expected hunting success | Poor |
| Comments | Vehicles are not to be driven on the lakebed. This includes UTV, ATV, and E-Bikes. NEW FOR 2022-2023 SEASON MERGANSERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DAILY BAG LIMIT FOR DUCKS. Cheney Wildlife Area is located in the Low Plains Late Zone Low Plains Teal Season: Sept. 9-24, 2023 Low Plains Late Zone Youth/Veteran/Military Season is Oct. 21-22, 2023. Low Plains Late Zone Duck Season is Oct 28, 2023 -Dec 31, 2023, and Jan 20-28, 2024. Dark Goose Season Oct. 28-29, Nov. 1, 2023 - Feb. 11, 2024 White Fronted Geese: Oct. 28, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023 and Jan. 20 - Feb. 11, 2024 Daily bag limit: 6 Six ducks is the daily bag limit, with species and sex restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, and 1 scaup. The daily bag may comprise six of any other duck, such as six teal, six gadwall, six merganser or six wigeon. Possession limit: Three times the daily limit. The refuge at Cheney Wildlife Area, located on the south side of Pretty Prairie Rd between Obee Rd and Kent Rd, extends out from the shoreline 100 yards into the water. What this means is that water along the shoreline of the refuge is included in the restricted access area and is off limits to hunting. Accessing the refuge by boat or hunting near the refuge shoreline is not permitted. Remember Cheney Reservoir 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 decoy 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. Many of the roads around the reservoir can get very greasy after rain, or melting snow, please use good judgement about which roads you try to travel on. Area roads have been upgraded with gravel. Please keep vehicles on maintained road and parking areas. Off road vehicle use is strictly prohibited. Please report all wildlife and public lands violations that you witness by calling the area headquarters at (620) 459-6922. Please leave a detailed message with violation specifics. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. |
BYRON WALKER - Last Updated: 1/17/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Significant numbers of ducks and geese have moved in. However, very little open water is available in the huntable wetlands. All of the birds are in the refuge and even the river is frozen over. Beware, 8 Tundra Swans are in with all the other birds. |
| Water level | Kingman State Lake is more than 1/2 flooded but all the huntable water is frozen in the lake. The bison marsh, mitigation marsh and river have water but all are frozen over. |
| Hunting conditions | 2024 shows some promise as recent rains and snowfall have increased water levels in the lake by 13 inches in December. We drained the lake this summer to rehabilitate the fishery. This fall, dry conditions have recurred and the lake is filling slowly.
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| Expected hunting success | limited. |
| Comments |
COUNCIL GROVE - Last Updated: 2/27/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | No snow geese observed. Waterfowl viewing opportunities are good in shallow water habitats near the upper ends of the reservoir. |
| Water levels | 1.7 feet below conservation elevation (1,274') on 2/27/24. |
| Hunting conditions | Lake levels have increased with recent snow melt and rainfall. Lake was 0% ice covered on 2/27/24. The lake remained relatively full during summer months until hot and dry conditions persisted in late July and August. Lake levels then declined, pulling water away from cover edges within some portions of the lake, particularly on both upper ends. As lake levels receded some moist soil vegetation became established within upper fringes of the lake but is mostly above the lake water level. Some moist soil vegetation now contains sheet water providing enhanced feeding opportunities for some duck species. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor for snow geese. |
| Comments | Low Plains Late Zone Duck Season and Dark Goose seasons are CLOSED. Light Goose Spring Conservation Order is open through April 30. |
EL DORADO - Last Updated: 1/22/2024
| Waterfowl Numbers | No Ducks observed. Approximately 2500 geese observed using the reservoir. |
| Water level | 99% Ice coverage. At 1334.06', approximately 4.94' below conservation elevation (1339'). |
| Hunting conditions | Poor- Very low lake levels. Cover is limited due to the low lake level. Moist soil vegetation established over the summer on exposed lake bed. If we get rain to raise lake levels expect improved hunting conditions. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor |
| 4Comments | NOTE: El Dorado Lake is located within the Low Plains Southeast Zone. |
KAW WILDLIFE AREA. - Last Updated: 1/19/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Most of the river is frozen. No waterfowl present. |
| Water level | Low |
| Hunting conditions | Poor |
| Expected hunting success | Poor |
| Comments | TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE Season: Sept. 9-24, 2023 Area open: East of Hwy. U. S. 283 Daily bag limit:6 Possession limit:18 Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Stamp, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp DUCKS, LOW PLAINS SOUTHEAST ZONE Season: November 11, 2023 - January 7, 2024 AND January 13-28, 2024 Area open: Southeast Zone (see map) Daily bag limit:6 Possession limit: Three times the daily limit |
MCPHERSON VALLEY WETLANDS - Last Updated: 1/17/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | ATTENTION: All hunters MUST check-in / check-out when hunting. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials to check in and out. 17 January 2024: THE LPEZ DUCK SEASON IS CLOSED FOR THE YEAR. THE SECOND SPLIT OF WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE SEASON OPENS 20 JANUARY 2024. All wetlands are 100% frozen. Waterfowl numbers are near zero due to ice cover / limited water. All activities in the north and south refuges in the Big Basin are prohibited. |
| Current Information | Be aware of three new regulations in effect at McPherson Valley Wetlands: (1) The Big Basin has been designated as "youth only" during the youth and military waterfowl weekend, (2) the use of motorized boats is prohibited, and (3) centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited. |
| Water levels | The wetlands are in serious need of abundant rainfall. While we had decent rainfall this summer, we have had almost ZERO runoff. Scouting will be critical in determining which wetlands have water, as the majority of the wetlands are dry. Groundwater pumping efforts are complete for the 2023 waterfowl season. With conditions this dry, the amount of groundwater we have pumped will not "save the season" but it will provide a few small areas for waterfowl to forage, along with providing limited hunting opportunities. SIGNIFICANT ICE IS FORMING WITH THE COLDER TEMPERATURES. 100% FROZEN. Big Basin: Very limited water in the wetlands that are open to public hunting, and very limited water in the refuge. Chain of Lakes: This unit is almost completely dry. Be aware that the vast majority of Steel's Pond on the east boundary is privately owned. Little Sinkhole Marshes: Very limited water. |
| Hunting conditions | Once again this year, we are treating undesirable vegetation during growing season. As the treated vegetation dies off and the desirable moist soil vegetation completes seed production, we will continue to roller chop / manipulate vegetation to create hunting spots as the season moves forward. Waterfowl food production (native moist soil vegetation) has been exceptionally good across the area this year. Approximately 150 acres of millet was planted in various wetlands. The food is here, so if we get some good rains conditions will improve. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor, unless we get abundant rainfall. Limited water and crowded conditions will negatively impact waterfowl numbers and hunter success. |
| Comments | ATTENTION: **THERE IS A "NO TRASH POLICY" IN EFFECT AT MCPHERSON VALLEY WETLANDS. PLEASE CARRY OUT WHATEVER YOU CARRY IN, INCLUDING EMPTY HULLS AND OTHER TRASH. PLEASE TRY TO LEAVE YOUR HUNTING SPOT AS CLEAN OR CLEANER THAN IT WAS WHEN YOU ARRIVED. THANKS!!! REFUGE AREAS: THE SOUTH REFUGE AREA IN THE BIG BASIN IS OFF-LIMITS TO ALL ACTIVITIES, AND THIS INCLUDES DUCK HUNTING. THERE IS NO HUNTING OR PUBLIC ACCESS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED IN THE REFUGE!! The Little Sinkhole/Farland Lake marsh unit is included in the EARLY low-plains duck zone (as is the rest of MPWL). All shotgun hunters at McPherson Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds. Throughout all units, please be mindful of farmers and big equipment operators needing to access and maintain roads. Park in designated parking areas when possible, and not on the roadsides. |
SLATE CREEK WETLAND - Last Updated: 1/19/2024
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Waterfowl numbers | There is no waterfowl on the area at this time. All the water is frozen. |
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Water level | Low |
| Hunting conditions | Poor |
| Expected hunting success | Poor |
| Comments | Slate Creek Wetland Public Announcement Due to some renovations work at the wetland, we will not be able to hold water for the 2023-23 waterfowl season. There will be some water in the pools, it will be just in the low-lying areas. But all of this will depend on rain fall. The low water levels will allow us time to get some valuable renovation done and fixing the erosion problems on the area. This will help us resolve current erosion issues and make the whole wetland system work more efficiency. We thank you for your understanding and patience. Hunters can check-in / check-out here, using your licensing login credentials. https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/ TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE
DUCKS, LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE
Also, all shotgun hunters at Slate Creek Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds.
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https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/
MARION - Last Updated: 12/22/2023
| Migration | Numbers of geese remain steady. Numbers can change daily |
| Ice | 0% |
| Water level | Lake level is at 1346.0 (Conservation pool is 1350.50) |
| Hunting conditions | Fair. The reservoir has been low for the entire growing season and has a large amount of exposed shore and lake bed that is covered with moist soil vegetation. There is a lot of yellow nut sedge and smartweed along with some barnyard grass. So, there is a lot of food for waterfowl around the reservoir but the water remains low and is a good distance from this food, and cover. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor. |
| Comments | The boat ramp at Broken Bridge on the North Cottonwood river has been repaired. The refuge at Marion Wildlife area, located on the south west part of the reservoir along French creek, extends out from the shoreline 100 yards into the water. What this means is that approximately 110 acres of water along the shoreline of the refuge are included in the restricted access area, and are off limits to hunting. Accessing the refuge by boat or hunting near the refuge shoreline is not permitted. Remember Marion Reservoir 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 decoy 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. Many of the roads around the reservoir can get very greasy after rain, or melting snow, please use good judgement about which roads you try to travel on. |