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:  Once again Kyle has flooded for the second time this waterfowl season, water levels are above desired levels and will be slowly drawn down to create better conditions. Kyle East: Major renovations have been done to the this unit of Kyle. Levee reconstruction, installation of a screw gate structure to move water from the East to the West, tree/brush clearing through the entire unit, millet and sorghum seeding throughout, and ditch work for improved drainage was all completed. Kyle West: FULL POOL This unit dried completely this year and allowed for a tremendous amount of native moist soil vegetation to grow which will provide endless amounts of food for ducks once flooded. We also spread some Japanese Millet in the mud flats of the West unit earlier this summer and it all is growing well. A boat lane was constructed to make for easier travel for boats from the ramp to the South end of the unit. Both boat ramps will also be renovated and additional gravel added for easier boat launching as well. HCR-10

West River: Once again, with help from the Leavenworth Ducks Unlimited Chapter we were able to spread Millet and Sorghum in both the upper and lower units of West River. A significant amount of tree/brush removal was conducted in both the upper and lower units of West River along with some cocklebur spraying, sorghum planting, and corn planting.  North- HCR-9, South- HCR-9. Pumping will continue in the upper unit, and we experienced flooding in the lower unit, we will continue to add water to the lower unit as time progresses. 

Upper Ferguson: This unit was mostly dry going into the spring/summer and never got any additional rain to supplement. With the extremely dry conditions in this pool, this promoted some marestail and ragweeds, however we still got a good crop of annual smartweeds and millets mixed in as well.   This is our refuge marsh and closes October 1st through January 15th.  HCR-7.

Lassister: West Unit: We dewatered this unit after 2 years of holding flood water from 2016 in order to deal with the Lotus and River Bullrush encroachment we were experiencing. We burned this entire unit this spring and disked the entire thing to set back all the Bullrush. This unit will remain dry this season and is planned to be farmed with corn next spring. East Unit: This unit got very dry this year and promoted a lot of annual sunflower growth and about half the unit was disked which set back some of those larger growing plants and promoted some more moist soil vegetation. This unit is runoff dependent and will need some significant rainfall to get huntable water levels. HCR: 7

Northwest: FULL POOL Nearly all woody vegetation was removed from within this unit. Corn was planted in this wetland to provide food for ducks and also to hep with the Reed Canarygrass issue that was covering most of the wetland. The new water control structure is installed in the East part of the wetland. This wetland will be able to be pumped with our new marsh pump that was constructed earlier this year. The tenant has cut his portion of corn in this wetland. This has a junior water right and is dependent on river flows, and we experienced flooding in this wetland and will be pumping to bring the water level up.   HCR-8  

Headquarters: This wetland was planted to corn and is runoff dependent still as we have plans to soon run a pipeline from our new marsh pump to the HQ marsh, however that will not be done until the Headquarters marsh expansion is completed. We are using farming as a technique to keep the area "cleaned up" from tree/brush growth so that once expansion work is ready to begin it will be much easier. We intend on starting the HQ marsh expansion as soon as next year. All of the Corn has been harvested in this wetland and we have left extra corn in Northwest Marsh. Boards have been added and we are retaining any water.

Mitigation: Mitigation marsh was drawn down this spring and planted almost entirely to corn. The deer have done some significant damage to this corn, however there is still a good amount out there. This practice was not only to provide food for the ducks but to help remove the invasive Phragmites that was starting to show up in the unit.  HCR-7. This unit is reliant on runoff to fill and the corn will all remain unharvested in this pool. 

Hayward: FULL POOL Flooding has caused this marsh to be overfull and water was running over the spillway, water will be retained for this season. Hayward has been drained all summer and the vegetation growth has been good this summer with some Millet spread as well. HCR-8. This unit is dependent on runoff to fill and has a significant drainage, making it one of the easier units to fill up from rainfall. 

Reichart: FULL POOL Flooding has caused this marsh to fill and we will be retaining water for duck season. This unit was drawn down and a significant amount of brush/tree removal occurred. We also sprayed some non-desirables and drilled some millet. This unit also has corn planted in the upper half or so of the unit to help with reed canaraygrass issues. This wetland will be able to be pumped with our new marsh pump that was constructed earlier this year. The tenant has harvested the corn and left approximately 25% of the corn standing to be flooded for the ducks. This has a junior water right and is dependent on river flows, and we will pump soon.   HCR-8. 

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.

The marshes have begun to thaw out and the ice is melting. They have some areas with open water or thin ice, but the warm temperatures in the forecast should decrease the ice.

Mud flats and shorelines in the shallower portions of the reservoir have shown a fair rate of hunter success and more species of waterfowl than the marsh pools so far. These groups have up to 250 birds observed in a group.

The pump has been shut off at Coblentz marsh- all pools are full, including East Coblentz.

Elk Creek - We will continue pumping as long as water levels allow. Pool one is 80% full, pool two is about 90% full and should rise over the next week. Pool three is full. Currently, all water pumped is moving to pool 2 to gain quality flooded acres. 

The refuge marsh pool is dry. (and closed)

Shadden marsh does not have water this year.

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.

Rock Creek Boat Ramp is CLOSED

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

Make-up Lake is closed to waterfowl hunting 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 desirable in many of the wetland areas due to early dry conditions, prior to the flooding caused by the river and lake.  All managed wetlands currently have either pumped water or flood water in them.  The high flood waters have damaged the quality and food value of the vegetation in the wetlands.

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.

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.