Northeast
This is a collection of all the Northeast Waterfowl Reports
BENEDICTINE WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/19/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | Mallard Migration Rank: 3 (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. The wetlands have great habitat, such as, Giant Foxtail, Annual Smartweed, and Barnyard Grass. All the wetlands are holding water pretty well. The west wetland pump is going again and is pumping the southern complex. The wetlands by the shop are being pumped as well, with most the water being pumped into the southern complex. Refuge(NOT open to hunting) October 1 through March 31 the area can only be accessed with a special permit obtained through a drawing. Look for "Special Hunts" on our home page under "HUNTING". |
| Hunting conditions | Native vegetation such as annual smart weeds, barnyard grass, foxtail, and sunflowers are the most common vegetation. |
| Expected hunting success | As on 9/19/22, a couple groups of teal were observed on all the wetlands that are being pumped, which include the southern west wetland and both wetlands by the main shop. |
| Comments | The wetlands have a good variety of vegetation. REFUGE IS CLOSED TO HUNTING. |
CLINTON - Last Updated: 9/21/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | Updated 9-21-22 Teal numbers are low with only 28 teal spotted on the waterfowl survey Waterfowl survey conducted on 09-06-22. Waterfowl survey results: Blue-winged teal- 28 Canada geese- 114 Mallard- 2 Wood ducks- 4 Total waterfowl counted- 148 |
| Lake level | open Lake level is 875.37 as of 09-21-22 (conservation pool is 875.50)
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| Hunting conditions | Coblentz & East Coblentz- Dry Shadden- Dry Elk Creek- Dry Lake- Lake level is just below normal pool. There are some mud flats on the lake and in the refuge. Because the wetlands are dry, the lake provides the best area to hunt for teal season. THE REFUGE AND REFUGE MARSH POOL ARE OPEN TO HUNTING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES Clinton contains miles of creeks, rivers and oxbows on the wildlife area; each of which has unique conditions and frequently hold waterfowl when weather and/or pressure pushes them from marsh pools.
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| Expected hunting success | Poor |
| Comments | IMPORTANT! Clinton Wildlife Area is utilizing an electronic check-in system required of all hunters. To check-in / check-out, please go to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Please remember that trapping is also allowed on the Wildlife Area. Elk Creek (Wakarusa River) and Coon Creek (Lake) boat ramps are open. Rock Creek Boat ramp is closed; a gravel launch area for canoes and kayaks is available when lake is near normal pool. |
HILLSDALE - Last Updated: 9/22/2022
| Waterfowl Numbers | The Hillsdale Wildlife Area has experienced a relatively dry year in regards to water levels in 2022. The reservoir currently sits 15/100 of a foot above conservation pool. We have had some successful moist soil vegetation growth in all wetland pools this year. Japanese millet, proso millet, and golden millet were all planted in all of the wetland pools and are doing well. Strips of milo were also planted in Brown's wetland especially in the upper reaches. On top of the agriculture, there has been plenty of production from moist soil vegetation throughout all of the pools. Currently there is very little water in any of the wetland pools. The Youth marsh, Brown's, and Antioch all have water in the main "pit" along the levees which will allow for some small groups of hunters to hunt during the teal season. The pools on Wade's branch are almost completely dry from some summer water structure renovations that were done. As those two pools are fed by rain, they have not been able to replenish water levels throughout the dry summer. Brown's wetland is being filled currently, and there is flooded vegetation available currently in the lower pool. 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. The weather has been warm throughout the week with highs in the 90s but a cold front came in last night and has kept temperatures in the 60s with highs in the 70s in the coming week. Not very many waterfowl have been seen in the area yet this year. This week's survey started to show more birds arriving. A few coots were surveyed this week. There were also around 350 teal counted this week, with groups being mixed between blue wings and green wings. There are still small groups of Canada Geese spending time near the dam. |
| Water Level | Antioch Wetland - 1/8 Browns Wetland, Upper pool - 1/4 Browns Wetland, Lower pool - 1/2 Youth-Mentor Wetland - 1/8 Wade Branch Wetlands - Empty, Empty Hillsdale Lake - See Army Corps Daily Report ICE CONDITION - 0% ice cover on lake. 0% ice cover on wetlands |
| Comments | Reminder - check-in / check-out is required for all hunting on Hillsdale Wildlife Area. This can be done here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. 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. |
JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER - Last Updated: 8/24/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | Ducks: No ducks observed on area Geese: No geese observed on area |
| Water level | Normal |
| Hunting conditions | Poor-fair |
| Expected hunting success | Poor-fair |
| 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: 9/26/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | 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. Throughout the week and waterfowl survey, around 1000 teal, 200 big ducks, and a few hundred Canada geese were observed. |
| Lake level | Current Lake Level is 1144.29 and Conservation Pool is 1144.4 The dam is releasing 25 CFS. The inflow into the lake is 260 CFS. |
| Hunting conditions | Vegetation growth and seed production has been above average this year. North Smith and Beichter)are repaired from flooding in the past years and we will begin pumping this week (09/26/2022) Mall Creek and Lower Smith/Gatesville boat ramps are open. Wetlands that have water are Sugarbowl, Quimby, and the youth. 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 | All duck seasons are currently closed |
| 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 barricaded roadways. Do NOT block gates, and pay attention to No Parking signs in the wetland parking lots. Hunter's need to be aware of their targets before shooting. The area is a no trash policy, so if you take it in, please bring it back out with you. This includes spent shotgun shells Fires are not permitted anywhere on the wildlife area. Violators will be ticketed Remember - Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. All hunters (youth included) must first register online. 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 WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/20/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | A waterfowl survey was conducted on 09/20/22 and less than 100 Teal were observed. We also have a good number of Wood Ducks and a few Mallards in the area so hunters need to identify their targets and know what lies beyond them as well. *DON'T FORGET TO CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT HERE, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Mallard Migration Rank = 1 (0 = no mallards 10 = peak migration)
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| Lake level | 1.0 Feet Above Conservation Pool |
| Habitat conditions | Mild flooding in the spring, followed by a dry summer has allowed for a good amount of wetland pool work to be completed and habitat conditions are overall good around the area.
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| Expected hunting success | Poor to Fair |
| Comments | 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: Water levels are low and launching of most boats in the West unit would be very difficult. Large portions of the East and upper West units held some shallow water and led to large amounts of unwanted vegetation such as American Lotus and River Bullrush. Pumping has not begun yet, but will be soon with a target of full pool by the opening of big duck season. HCR-3 West River: Pumping has begun and currently there is a small amount of huntable water in the upper unit. We will continue to add some water with a goal of reaching full pool later in November as more ducks arrive. Summer Draw downs were successful in both the upper and lower units which allowed for some disking, mowing, and millet planting. We will update water levels as this changes. HCR-8 Upper Ferguson: This wetland grew mostly native smartweed and has little water currently. The water control structure is currently removed from the wetland and our contractor expects to get the new one installed in the next couple weeks or so. As soon as this work is complete, we will put boards in and begin collecting runoff. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-6. Lassister: The majority of both units of this wetland were planted to corn. We are awaiting harvest of the corn before we can start collecting water in this pool. HCR-7 Northwest: Summer drawdowns were successful leading to a good stand of desirable moist soil vegetation such as millet, smartweed, etc. This wetland is pumped with our new pump station that doesn't allow for pumping until after October 1st most years. HCR-8 Headquarters: This wetland was drawn down early and corn was planted in some of it. Once the tenant harvests their 75%, then we will began to try to collect water, no water at this point. HCR-6 Mitigation: Water was held in this unit, however it has evaporated so the unit is dry as of now. We have boards in and are attempting to collect runoff. HCR-7 Hayward: Pool is currently dry but grew good stands of desirable native moist soil vegetation with some supplemental millet seeding as well . HCR-7 Reichart: Most of unit was planted to corn and are awaiting harvest. This wetland is pumped with our new pump station that doesn't allow for pumping until after October 1st most years. HCR-8. Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in the lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters. 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: 9/22/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | 50 ducks 10 Canada Geese Mallard Migration Rank (0-10) =0 |
| Water level | The lake is currently at 1074 and holding |
| Hunting conditions | poor |
| Expected hunting success | poor |
| Comments | Please check in using https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin prior to hunting Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area. The area had several pools of water all summer long that are dry now. The Swede Creek boat ramp is out of the water currently with the river being so low. At the time of this writing there has been about 80 acre feet pumped at the Black Vermillion marsh. There is a mowed walking trail from Plum Hollow Rd. South to the pool at the north end of Rolander road. The Olsburg, Swede Creek, and Irving marshes are all dry. Fancy Creek Marsh is dry as well. |