Jamestown Wildlife Area
Of the 5,124 acres of public hunting now available on the area, over 1,900 acres are wetlands. The marshes are very shallow and have accumulated silt from the Marsh Creek watershed. As a result, the Department is embarking on a multiple year renovation for the areas wetlands beginning with Gun Club. Plans include new wetlands, new water control structures and renovation of existing wetlands by subdividing into units so water and vegetation can be managed more effectively. During renovation construction activities will impact and change uses of the area in the process of reaching the renovation goals. The goal of the renovation is to provide optimum wildlife habitat, improved user opportunities and play an important role in the overall Lower Republican River watershed management and life span of the marshes.
This area is located along a major migration route for the Central Flyway. The first waterfowl and shorebirds migrate through the area in late August. An 800-acre refuge is located at the north end of Gamekeeper Marsh. The refuge is closed to all activity from Oct. 1 through Mar. 1 except for the SPECIAL HUNTS conducted during hunting seasons. The refuge gives migratory birds a resting place and increases hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities on the area.
There are varieties of other wildlife habitats on the area. Upland birds and small game species use weeds, crop fields, grasses and shrubs, while big game prefers the timbered areas. The area offers excellent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife. Marsh Creek, Gamekeeper Dam, and Muskrat Landing are shallow boat landings for hunter access to waterfowl areas.
The limited public lands in Kansas require intensive wildlife management and some special restrictions. This area receives heavy hunting pressure. Wildlife population and hunter use surveys are conducted to evaluate management and the effects of heavy pressure on the area.
Click here for a Google Earth map of the area.
Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials.
Paper permits will no longer be available at the information centers.
Jamestown will have one 13-acre Buckwheat/weedy field for the 2021 dove hunting season. The managed dove field is located on the East side of Buffalo Creek North Marsh; 1.5 miles north of KS 28 at the City of Jamestown and ½ mile west on Vale Rd. The field is the first field North of the parking lot with the grain bin on the north side of Vale Rd. A trail will be mowed from the parking lot to the managed dove field.
You can find a Google Earth map of the Dove Field here.
Sept. 1 through Sept. 6 the dove field will be limited to youth/mentor hunting only and will be open to all hunters Sept. 7. The age for a Youth has been raised to 17 and under. A Mentor is a anyone age 18 and older. One Mentor can sponsor one or more Youths.
Jamestown WA is a non-toxic shot only area.
Hunters need to register on-line to create an account at https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin. Login to the system using your licensing login credentials.
Construction Projects Still Underway at Jamestown Wildlife Area
Hunters planning to waterfowl hunt at Jamestown Wildlife Area this season will see construction equipment and new infrastructure. While all the planned projects have not yet been completed great progress has been made. Gamekeeper Marsh and Gun Club Marsh will both be kept at a low level while construction on a division berm is underway in Gamekeeper Marsh. Work on raising the height on the Gamekeeper Marsh Dam will begin later in the year. During this time, waterfowl hunting access will be limited, but the managers have been working on providing access for the opportunities that still exist.
While construction is taking place, hunters can find huntable habitat on the south end of the property throughout the waterfowl season. Staff will be pumping select off-channel storage pools from Marsh Creek and Buffalo Creek Marshes for the season. A PDF map of these pools can be accessed by visiting ksoutdoors.com, then clicking “Hunting,” “Reports and Forecasts,” and scrolling down to “Jamestown Wildlife Area.”
“These areas have excellent moist soil food production and teal are starting to show up,” said Matt Farmer, Public Lands Manager for Jamestown. “We just ask that the public be mindful of the tighter spaces this season, and we appreciate their patience while we make improvements to the Wildlife Area.”
Since early July, construction crews have been building a division berm in Gamekeeper Marsh. As of the middle of August, construction is just over half way complete. Borrow areas where the contractors took the earth to build the berm will become new, managed wetlands. A Pittman-Robertson grant has been submitted to raise Gamekeeper Dam 18 inches in order to accommodate the increased sediment load the marsh has taken on the last several decades. This work could start as early as late winter to early spring. The berm construction and dam increase will allow area managers to flood a larger area and better control water elevations, to manage for optimum moist soil production and increased hunting opportunities. While there is no set date on a final product as working conditions and Mother Nature will determine progress, managers expect an entirely new look for Gamekeeper Marsh by next season.
For more information on the construction taking place at Jamestown Wildlife Area, contact area staff at (785) 439-6243.
- Non-toxic shot required for all shotgun hunting.
- Electronic Daily hunt permits ARE REQUIRED for ALL hunting.
- Special hunts and Refuge areas are in effect Oct-1 - Jan 31.
- Trapping is by permit only. The permit may be obtained from the Lovewell Area Office.
- No trash receptacles are provide on the area. Please take your trash with you.
- All motorized vehicles MUST remain on maintained roadways or parking areas.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Jamestown Wildlife Area is a collection of historical wetlands and associated uplands that have been under state management since 1932. Jamestown's two larger marshes were one of the twelve wetlands sold to provide funding for Emporia State Teachers College. Historically a "salty”, shallow, marshy area, in dry seasons salt was found where the water had been and when there was water an abundance of wildlife was found. The areas marshes attracted Native Americans, early settlers and were important to migrating herds of bison, flocks of waterfowl and other wildlife. Dams were constructed on the lower ends of both large marshes in the early 1900’s to provide a more reliable water supply for recreation.
- Type of Facility: Wildlife Viewing Area
- Location of Facility: -55.150 41.662
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- Type of Facility: Small Craft Launch Site/ Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 38.579 -54.346
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- Type of Facility: Small Craft Launch Site
- Location of Facility: 38.734 -53.261
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- Type of Facility: Small Craft Launch Site
- Location of Facility: 37.483 -54.782
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 40.999 -55.456
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 39.044 -53.549
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.657 -54.203
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 39.825 -54.236
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| Waterfowl numbers | Bird numbers have increased over the last several weeks. However, with limited water and sustained pressure, they are using the hunting pools at night, arriving in the dark and are leaving to the refuge and off on to private ground well before shooting time. REMEMBER: Hunters are REQUIRED to check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. |
| Water levels | Water levels have continued to decreased. Eventhough other parts of the state have picked up substantial rain, the area has received almost no precipitation (less than 0.5" in the last month). We have missed out on a lot of the big rains recently, so water levels will be lower than last year. We are unable to move water into Marsh Creek Marsh or pump from Marsh Creek Marsh into Buffalo Creek Marsh due to water right restrictions. Puddler Marsh: Dry. Gamekeeper Marsh: Sheet water only. Remember, the refuge is now closed; Gun Club West Marsh: Around half full; avg. depth of 10" to 14" with very shallow water around the margins Gun Club East: Lower elevation than Gun Club West, avg. depth of 8" to 12" with sheet water around the margins. Greenwing Marsh; Huntable water with areas that were mowed prior to flooding, but has dropped significantly. Marsh Creek Marsh: Dry due to water right restrictions Buffalo Creek Marshes: Dry due to water right restrictions Pintail Marsh: Dry |
| Hunting conditions | Excellent moist soil production and abundant flooded vegetation. Gun Club West has very high abundance of cattails that have been sprayed. Expect those to brown up and break down throughout the fall. Remember: NO ATV's are allowed on department lands and roads. THIS INCLUDES ARGO'S AND E-BIKES There is a no trash policy: If you take it in with you, please bring it out. This includes spent shotgun shells. THIS REGULATION WILL BE ENFORCED. ALL vehicles must remain on designated roads and parking areas. REFUGE IS CLOSED
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| Expected hunting success | Poor. Hunting pressure has moved the birds to the normal October nocturnal pattern we have been seeing over the last several years. Especially with less huntable area than normal. Hunter have averaged just over one bird per hunter in the last week. |
| Comments | As always, we need some rain. Good cold fronts will help. NO CAMPFIRES DUE TO THE EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS We had issues last season with reckless boating in the early morning hours. Please remember to be cautious while running the boat channels, as there is little to no room for more than one boat at a time. We have had several near collisions and mishaps. Also remember, ALL boating regulations will be enforced. Navigation lights (red and green bow lights along with an all around white stern light, light bars and headlamps do not qualify), life jackets, passenger capacities and boat registrations (even lay-out boats with a motor) ARE required. We have also had issues with hunters playing loud music while motoring out and setting up. Please remember to be courteous of other hunters on the area. Not everyone wants to hear it. The MANDATORY electronic check system can be found on the GoOutdoorsKS app. or by following the link below and using your licensing login credentials.
Waterfowl Seasons Low Plains Early Duck Season (First Segment): 10/12/24 - 12/8/24 Low Plains Early Duck Season (Second Segment): 12/21/24 - 1/5/25 Canada Geese: 10/26/24 - 10/27/24 and 11/6/24 - 2/16/25 White-Fronted Geese: 10/26/24 - 12/26/24 and 1/25/25 - 2/16/25 Light Geese: 10/26/24 - 10/27/24 and 11/6/24 - 2/16/25 Light Geese Conservation Order: 2/17/25 - 4/30/25 Hunters are REQUIRED to check in AND OUT using the electronic permitting system. Hunters need to check-in / check-out by going to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Hunters need to make sure they have all the appropriate licenses and stamps for hunting waterfowl. The following are required: Kansas hunting license State waterfowl stamp Federal waterfowl stamp Kansas Harvest Information Program Stamp (HIP) RINGNECK MARSH IS DESIGNATED FOR YOUTH AND MENTORS ONLY. EACH HUNTER 16 YEARS AND OLDER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ONE OR MORE YOUTH UNDER 16 YEARS OLD. Marsh Creek Marsh and the West Gamekeeper Marsh is for non-gasoline powered boats or paddle-in / Walk-in only, this includes electric motor boats and boats with no motors. Gasoline engines are prohibited. Buffalo Creek & Pintail Marshes are for non-motorized boats and walk-in hunting only. HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :
THE REFUGE IS OPEN Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on! |