Northeast

This is a collection of all the Northeast Waterfowl Reports

BENEDICTINE WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/9/2019

Waterfowl numbers Mallard Migration Rank:  1  (Estimate of potential mallard numbers. 1=lowest, 10=highest)
Water level

A map of our wetlands is now available under the Wetland Map tab to the right.

Wildlife area is flooded due to high river level. There are many flooded pools and ditches throughout the property in addition to the normal wetlands. Mallards are present in the ditches inside the levee. Multiple small groups of teal were seen flying across the levee towards the river. Large pools outside of levee are holding some wood ducks. Water is slowly draining out of the property.

The access road to the parking lot is currently only passable by trucks due to water on the road. Plans are to get gravel this week and fix the mud holes. 

Refuge(NOT open to hunting)

October 1 through March 31 the area can only be accessed with a special permit obtained through a drawing. The application and drawing will take place online only in 2017. Look for "Special Hunts" on our home page under "HUNTING".

Hunting conditions Good quality wetland vegetation persists in all wetland complexes.  Native vegetation such as annual smartweeds, barnyard grass, and arrow leaf are the most common vegetation.  
Expected hunting success Currently there are very few ducks using the wetland areas throughout the property that are open to hunting.  
Comments Few ducks using the area.  REFUGE IS NOT OPEN TO HUNTING



CLINTON - Last Updated: 9/12/2019

Waterfowl numbers

9/12/19

No teal were seen on the lake or wildlife area.

There were zero ducks and only 35 Canada geese observed on the reservoir and wildlife area during a waterfowl survey completed on 9-11-19.

Lake level  890.74- 15.24 feet above pool, releasing 3,000 c.f.s.
Hunting conditions

Both main marsh complexes have been underwater for about 3 months, and there is little to no vegetation present.

Coblentz & East Coblentz- Mud flats are beginning to open up in the north pool of Coblentz and the parking lot is now accessible. As the lake level drops, we will retain enough water to keep the pools full.

The road to East Coblentz (E100 rd.) is flooded and the marsh is not accessible. 

Once conditions allow, the north pool will have the final phase of the wetland improvement plan finalized. We will be placing an additional structure to allow us the option to use an adjacent stream to fill the north pool. This will be in addition to the electric pump already installed.

Shadden marsh (10 acres) is full and has good vegetation. It should provide hunting opportunity for a limited number of hunters. 

Elk Creek wetlands are not accessible. The road to the wetlands has been under water all summer and all pools, dikes, and structures have been submerged in very deep water for over 90 days.

The refuge marsh pool is submerged in deep water.

Expected hunting success Poor
Comments

IMPORTANT! Clinton Wildlife Area is utilizing an electronic check-in system required of all hunters. To register, please go to  https://kdwpt.isportsman.net. This will be mandatory for everyone hunting the wildlife area, not just waterfowl hunters. The card survey stations have been removed. Plan ahead and sign up for I-sportsman now.  

Please remember that trapping is also allowed on the Wildlife Area.

ALL BOAT RAMPS ON THE WILDLIFE AREA ARE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.

 The REFUGE is closed to all activities from Oct. 1 to Jan. 15
 



HILLSDALE - Last Updated: 9/7/2018

Waterfowl Numbers We are currently without a Manager for Hillsdale.  Pumping will be minimal for waterfowl season most likely.
Water Level

Antioch Wetland - Minimal

Browns Wetland, Upper pool - Minimal

Browns Wetland, Lower pool - Minimal

Youth-Mentor Wetland - Minimal

Wade Branch Wetlands - Minimal

Hillsdale Lake - See Army Corps Daily Report

ICE CONDITION - None

Comments  Remember to check-in to iSportsman prior to each hunt. 



JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER - Last Updated: 9/16/2019

Waterfowl numbers

Ducks:  < 50 mixed ducks and coots. Few to no teal and overall duck numbers are low

Geese:

Water level Normal
Hunting conditions Fair
Expected hunting success Poor
Comments

Make-up Lake is closed to waterfowl hunting during waterfowl season. Boats are not allowed on Auxillary lake during waterfowl season.

Individuals wishing to hunt Unit #2 of the wildlife area must enter through the main gate and sign in at the guard house. Be sure to have a photo I.D. with you when checking in.

Hunters are required to drive maintained roads only. A map will be provided to all hunters showing open roads as well as parking areas. Vehicles are allowed to park in parking areas only.



MILFORD WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/12/2019

Waterfowl numbers

The Milford Wildlife Area has been experiencing near record setting flooding for the past year now.  Milford was 30 feet high at one point this past summer and is currently still 19 feet above conservation pool which impacts the wildlife area roads, wetland pumps, parking areas and boat ramps.  The flood water is still above the majority of the wetland levees and has been all growing season.  This means no vegetation was able to grow or produce seed/food.  This will be a very difficult waterfowl season at Milford Wildlife Area.

 

Waterfowl counts given on this report are based on what was observed on the day the report is updated. Waterfowl numbers vary greatly from day to day and weather conditions and hunting pressure will affect the numbers of waterfowl on the area.

No ducks were observed using the area on the bi-weekly waterfowl survey on Monday this week but we have seen small groups (10-12 birds) on the area the last couple of days.

 

For more information, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks.

   

Lake level Current Level is 1162.07 and Conservation Pool is 1144.4 The dam is releasing 4,000 CFS. The inflow into the lake is 1,510 CFS.
Hunting conditions

Vegetation growth and seed production was not permitted this year due to the extent and duration of flooding we've experienced this past year.  The majority of the wetlands are still under water with little or no cover to provide favorable hunting conditions.

Mall creek and Lower smith/Gatesville boat ramps are not accessible due to the flood waters.

No activites/hunting allowed in the Steve Lloyd Wetland/Refuge.

Motorized boats are only allowed in the Mall Creek wetland, electric motors are considered "motorized". All other public hunting wetlands are open to NON motorized boats and walk in hunting.

Expected hunting success Poor
Comments

Do NOT drive on dikes. Vehicles disrupt and discourage waterfowl from using the wetland areas. We have had several dikes being damaged due to unauthorized vehicles driving on them. Scouting is best done on foot to evaluate bird numbers and habitat conditions.

Please report any vehicles on dikes and anyone seen disturbing our pumps. Without the pumps in optimal condition we are unable to pump the wetlands to their greatest potential.

Do NOT drive on flooded roadways.

Remember - an electronic permit/sign-in on Isportsman is required for all hunting on Milford Wildlife Area. All hunters (youth included) must first register online by creating an account.  Hunters can then check in using the I-sportsman system from any phone or internet device. The information collected and comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the area.

https://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks for more information on seasons and limits.



PERRY - Last Updated: 9/12/2019

Waterfowl numbers
A waterfowl survey was conducted on 9/11/19, few teal were seen in the area with most ducks being Wood Ducks. Due to significant and repeated flooding wetland habitat conditions are poor and water levels are still very high. We have placed boards in every wetland and as lake levels continue to draw down we will hold water at full pool across all wetlands.
NO ESTIMATE IS AVAILABLE ON WHEN WATER LEVELS WILL BE AT NORMAL POOL

*DON'T FORGET TO USE THE ISPORTSMAN ELECTRONIC PERMIT SYSTEM WHEN HUNTING AT PERRY WILDLIFE AREA. THIS IS A FREE AND REQUIRED DAILY HUNT PERMIT SYSTEM THAT ALL HUNTERS MUST USE WHEN ACCESSING THE AREA. 

Mallard Migration Rank = 0 (0 = no mallards 10 = peak migration)
Lake level 16.77 Feet Above Conservation Pool
Habitat conditions
All wetlands are overfull at this time and vegetation is limited
Expected hunting success Poor 
Comments
With the lake levels reaching an all time high this year we were unable to do any habitat work in our wetlands. The high lake levels also resulted in minimal vegetation growth in the wetlands and along the levees as many of the levees are under or were under water for a period of time. Expect all of the wetlands South of Valley Falls to be currently flooded and access is extremely limited. Water levels North of Valley Falls are still above normal but are beginning to come within their levees and will continue to drain until full pool is reached.
Habitat Condition Rating (HCR): 1-10; 1-Poor habitat, 5-quality habitat, 10-Exceptional habitat

Reminder: Gas powered boats are only allowed on the River, Lake, Sunset Ridge, Kyle East and West and Rucker wetland pools.  Electric powered boats are allowed in all marsh pools.

Kyle: Flooded, Kyle Marsh has remained under water for most of the year. Currently the parking lot and boat ramps at Kyle are inaccessible due to high water levels. HCR-1

West River: Flooded, West River has remained under water for most of the year. Currently the boat ramp to the Delaware River and parking lot off of 150th Rd is inaccessible due to high water levels. HCR-1

Upper Ferguson: Flooded, Upper Ferguson has remained under water for most the year. Currently Jackson Road is partially flooded and the gates on the road are locked. Please be aware of the boundaries separating the youth/handicapped area and the refuge. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-1.

Lassister: Above Full Pool, West Unit: This unit was worked prior to flooding and there was vegetation growth but had went underwater multiple times, water was held and is above full pool. East Unit: Water was held in this unit from last year, flooding did occur but was minimal compared to other wetlands. HCR-3

Northwest: Above Full Pool, a slow draw down was attempted prior to flooding. Vegetation growth was limited and water levels had topped the levees multiple times. HCR-2

Headquarters: Above Full Pool, This wetland had remained under water most of the year with water coming off of the levee within the last week. HCR-1

Mitigation: Flooded, This wetland has remained under water throughout the year. Standing corn was left in the unit from last year but no habitat work was done this year. HCR-1

Hayward: Above Full Pool, This wetland had experience repeated flooding throughout the year with some vegetation growth on the edges. HCR-2

Reichart: Above Full Pool, a portion of this wetland was worked before flooding had occurred and there was minimal vegetation growth but had remained under water for most of the year. HCR-2. 

Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in the lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters.

Perry WA has transitioned to a daily permit system called iSportsman.  Hunters will need to register via PC prior to hunting at Perry WA. Hunters will be able to login via PC, smartphone, or call in from cell phone or landline phone each day prior to hunting to get a daily permit, and report back similar to the paper daily permits.  Please visit https://kdwpt.isportsman.net/ to register prior to hunting season.

Please remember to fill out the permit with accurate information. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE AREA. FILL OUT ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL HARVEST EFFORTS, i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL.

   



TUTTLE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/19/2019

Waterfowl numbers

0 ducks  0 Canada Geese

Mallard Migration Rank (0-10) =0

Water level The lake is currently at 1111 and decreasing slowly.
Hunting conditions Poor
Expected hunting success Poor
Comments A permit/survey is required to hunt the Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area. The area is still completely covered with flood water and have been all year.  Due to the flooding expected success is very low due to the lack of food and cover.



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