---ICE--- The marshes and shallow water on the reservoir are covered in ice. Warming forecast w/expected rain will open up the marshes.

Coblentz & East Coblentz- There is very little water in the north pool of Coblentz; the parking lot is accessible. The three south pools and the East Coblentz pool are full.

The road to East Coblentz (E100 rd.) is no longer flooded and the marsh parking lot is now accessible. The road beyond the parking lot is extremely muddy. Please beware of muddy or water covered roads and tread lightly on newly opened roads. 

The final phase of the wetland grant for Coblentz is nearly completed. We have placed an additional structure on the north pool to allow us the option to use an adjacent stream to fill the north and middle pools. This is in addition to the electric pump, which was completed in 2018. 

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 open for hunting. The road to the wetlands (E100) was flooded for months, as well as all pools, dikes, and structures and parking lot. Please use caution when driving on muddy roads.

Pool 1 and pool 3 are nearly half full, pool 2 is full.

There are currently no plans to run the marsh pumps this fall due to the extensive flooding.

The refuge marsh pool is CLOSED to all activities until January 16th.

Ducks and Canada Geese were observed loafing in open water around the main body of the lake, as well as shallow floodwater in the upper reaches of the tributaries, and on harvested corn fields. Good numbers of geese have been seen on harvested grain fields as well as rocky shorelines, and on ice.

As the weather warms, the amount of ice in marshes and on the reservoir will decrease, greatly increasing utilization by waterfowl and hunters alike. 

Breaking ice will likely stay open for several days.

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.

BOTH Coon Creek and Elk Creek BOAT RAMPS ON THE WILDLIFE AREA ARE OPEN.

 The REFUGE is currently CLOSED to all activities from Oct. 1st to Jan. 15th
 

Reminder - an electronic permit/sign-in on Isportsman is required for all hunting on Hillsdale Wildlife Area. All hunters (youth included) must register online and create an individual account.  Hunters can then check in using the I-sportsman system from any phone or internet device. This can be done immediately before the hunt or the night before the hunt.  The information and harvest data collected, along with comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the Hillsdale State Wildlife Area.

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

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.

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.  This will be a very difficult waterfowl season at Milford Wildlife Area.

Mall creek and Lower smith/Gatesville boat ramps are now open, most of the wildlife area roads are open, but use caution in some soft areas around the wildlife area due to silt and the ground moisture.

Be mindful of the silt that has moved into many of the flooded areas.  Even in areas where the water appears shallow the silt may be very soft and very deep.  Use caution in these areas.

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.

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 barricaded 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.

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: Draw down has begun. Kyle Marsh has remained under water for most of the year, habitat conditions are poor. Currently the parking lot and both boat ramps are accessible. HCR-1

West River: Draw down has begun. West River has remained under water for most of the year, habitat conditions are poor. Currently the boat ramp to the Delaware River and parking lot off of 150th Rd is CLOSED FOR CLEANUP AND RENOVATION (anticipated reopening Spring 2020) HCR-1

Upper Ferguson: Draw down has begun. Upper Ferguson has remained under water for most the year. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-1.

Lassister: 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 now at 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: 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: Draw down has begun. This wetland had remained under water most of the year so habitat and cover are poor. HCR-1

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

Reichart: Draw down has begun on lower pool and upper west 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.