Northwest
**Endangered whooping cranes have been observed in Northcentral and Northwest Kansas. Be cognizant of potential closures and restrictions, and as always, know your target before taking a shot. Shooting a whooping crane can carry fines up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in prison.**
**There have been outbreaks of disease among waterfowl in Northwest Kansas. While there appears to be low risk for human infection, domestic poultry and fowl are susceptible and extreme caution should be taken to reduce the risk of spreading disease. **
CEDAR BLUFF WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 10/21/2024
| 2-3000 Ducks - most dabbler species are present, a few divers. Waterfowl numbers changing daily. Approx. 300 Resident Cananda Geese No Hunting Allowed from the Dam *****REVIEW Kansas Boating Regulations if you are using a boat to hunt. ***** Refuge Boundaries are also displayed on OnX. NO ACCESS IN THE CLOSED PORTION OF THE LAND REFUGE SEPT. 1 - JAN. 31 NO ACCESS IN THE CLOSED PORTION OF THE WATER REFUGE NOV. 1 - JAN. 31 
| |
| Water level | Reservoir Elevation - 2122.9 - 21 ft. low |
| Hunting conditions | Mudflats at west end should attract some teal, very little flooded vegetation |
| Expected hunting success | Fair-low Lake levels will make concealment difficult and expect fall fishermen to be present. |
| Comments | Cedar Bluff Wildlife Mgmt. Area and Reservoir are in the Low Plains Late Duck Zone Contact Cedar Bluff Area Office 785-726-3212 for more information. Water Refuge is in effect November 1- January 31 Land Refuge is in effect September 1 - January 31 No Hunting Allowed from the Dam North Shore State Park is Closed to Hunting. Youth / Mentor hunting is also available. Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Milfoil, and Phragmites are present in Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Please clean and dry all equipment, decoys and boats before hunting other bodies of water. |
GLEN ELDER - Last Updated: 10/18/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | ALL HUNTERS at Glen Elder WA are required to check-in AND check-out daily. Go to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin or utilize the GoOutdoorsKS app and check-in using your licensing login credentials. It is YOUR responsibility to know a property's regulations, refuge(s) and duck zone boundaries, etc. BEFORE you hunt. Click here for a detailed map of the refuges, youth area, and State Park boundaries. Please be aware that the Low Plains Early Duck Zone and Low Plains Late Duck Zone boundary is HWY 24. This means Glen Elder WA North of Hwy 24 is in the Early Zone. The majority of the Glen Elder WA (South of HWY 24) is in the Late Zone. -- Finally have a respectable number of birds that are using the property. Estimating 1500-2000 ducks and 250-500 geese in the area currently. Numbers may change dramatically day-to-day. The water level in the lake remains very low and shorelines very muddy. Accessing the water from the shore may be challenging in spots. Some low lying areas around the lake have held water and may provide some hunting opportunity. --
|
| Water level | Lake is currently 6.5 feet below conservation (lowest level in 15+ years) and continuing to drop from evaporation. |
| Hunting conditions | Poor. Hunters still need to be cautious of DANGEROUS MUD CONDITIONS on the river areas. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor to fair. |
| Comments | Granite Creek boat ramp is closed seasonally from November 1 through January 31st. The following boat ramps are currently UNUSABLE due to low water levels: Granite Creek, North Fork River, Carr Creek, Schoen's Cove and Walnut Creek. Low Plains Early Duck Zone (North of Highway 24) season is OPEN until December 8, 2024. Then it will re-open from December 21, 2024 thru January 5, 2025. Low Plains Late Duck Zone (South of Highway 24) - Youth, Veteran, and Military season will be October 19 and 20, 2024. Regular season opens October 26, 2024. Dark geese season is CLOSED Whitefront season is CLOSED Light geese season is CLOSED. Cawker City and Granite Creek Refuge closure dates are November 1st - January 31st. The Youth/ Mentor hunting area is located in the Granite Creek Refuge and is in effect from October 1 - January 31. Waterfowl hunting from the shoreline area is allowed in the Youth-Mentor Area as long as EACH adult is hunting with a youth 17 years or younger. Boats of any sort are prohibited in the Granite Creek Refuge. Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in Waconda Lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters. |
JAMESTOWN WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 10/16/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Waterfowl numbers remain low, even through this cold front. Pressure has kept them moving off of the area. REMEMBER: Hunters are REQUIRED to check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. |
| Water levels | Water levels have decreased since teal season due to the hot, windy weather and almost no precipitation. 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: We have gained some water in this marsh since Teal opener. Remember, the refuge is now closed; Gun Club West Marsh: Around half full; avg. depth of 12" to 14" Gun Club East: Same elevation as Gun Club West, avg. depth of 12" to 14" Greenwing Marsh; Huntable water with areas that were mowed prior to flooding. 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
|
| Expected hunting success | Poor. Hunting pressure was low for the opening weekend, however has been relatively high throughout the week. Especially with less huntable area than normal. Hunter have averaged just over two birds per hunter since Sunday. What birds that have stuck around have already become nocturnal and are leaving the area prior to shooting light. |
| 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! |
LOVEWELL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/18/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | More waterfowl starting to show up. Teal, mallards, gadwalls, wood ducks and Canada geese. |
| Mallard Migration Ranking | |
| Water level | Lovewell Reservoir is at 1575.14 or 7.46 feet below Conservation Pool,( 45% full). The BOR and Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District are releasing 0.2 cfs. Inflows of 19.8 cfs from the Guide Rock Diversion Canal from the Republican River is being used to refill the reservoir. Irrigation season ended on 9/16. |
| Hunting condition | LOVEWELL RESERVOIR HAS NO WATCHES OR WARNINGS FOR HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS. USERS SHOULD STILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR POCKETS OF HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS. CONTACT WITH THE DRIED ALGAE AND POCKETS OF VISIBLE ALGAE BLOOM AREAS IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED, ESPECIALLY FOR DOGS. Mudflats are ringing the entire reservoir and the water is a away from the normal shorelinE. Japanese millet was seeded. There is sparse concealing vegetation close to the water. THE CEDAR POINT AND ONE LANE AT THE MARINA BOAT RAMP IN LOVEWELL STATE PARK ARE USEABLE AT THIS TIME. ALL OTHER BOAT RAMPS ARE NOT USEABLE. ALL BOATS ARE REQUIRED TO USE NAVIGATION LIGHTS WHILE OPERATING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF SUNSET AND SUNRISE. PFD'S MUST NOT BE STOWED IN ANY COMPARTMENT WHILE THE BOAT IS UNDER POWER. KEEP THEM OUT OR BETTER YET ...ON! NON-MOTORIZED BOAT NEED SOME FLASHLIGHT OR LANTERN. |
| Expected hunting success | FAIR TO GOOD ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. WATERFOWL ARE USING THE RESERVOIR TO ROOST. LATE LOW PLAINS ADA, YOUTH, VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SEASON OPEN STATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 10/19 - 20. |
| Comments | PARK PERMIT REQUIRED TO ENTER THE STATE PARK. NO HUNTING IS ALLOWED FROM THE SHORELINE OF THE STATE PARK. REFUGE REGULATIONS: The land refuge closed to hunting and other activities year-round. Water refuge in effect November 1 through April 15 on the NORTHEAST half of the reservoir and Wildlife Area from 1/8th mile west of the south end of the dam and following a buoy line northwest to the western boundary of the Cabin Area of the State Park. This area open to fishing south and east of the buoy line from the north end of the dam to the Lovewell State Park Twin Coves trailer area. Inlet canal closed to fishing September 15 through April 15. BOAT RAMPS: SEE HUNTING CONDITION FOR BOAT RAMP STATUS. The State Park boat ramps require a Kansas State Park Permit. The Wildlife Area Boat Ramps are Pawnee Point, Oak Hill and White Rock Creek do not require a permit. CAMPING CABINS are available in Lovewell State Park. Make reservations HERE HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :
FOLLOWING SAFE AND ETHICAL PRACTICES WILL ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HUNTING PUBLIC LANDS ENJOYS A HIGH-QUALITY EXPERIENCE. Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com using your licensing login credentials. Contact the office for other arrangements. We thank you for your patience. Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on! |
NORTON - Last Updated: 10/8/2024
SMOKY HILL/KANOPOLIS - Last Updated: 9/27/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Few teal observed near Boldt Bluff area and south |
| Water level | 1462.9' - reservoir is at winter conservation level |
| Hunting conditions | Poor with no cover/flooded vegetation on shorelines; |
| Comments | Refuge is CLOSED to all access from September 1st through January 31st. Teal Season - Low Plains September 14, 2024- September 29, 2024 Duck Season on Webster Reservoir - Low Plains Late Zone October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 and January 18-26, 2025 Youth Weekend, Duck and Goose October 19-20, 2024 Goose Season on Webster Reservoir CANADA GEESE October 26-27, 2024 and November 6, 2024 - February 16, 2025 WHITE-FRONTED October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 and January 25 - February 16, 2025 LIGHT GEESE October 26-27, 2024 and November 6, 2024 - February 16, 2025 Sandhill Crane Season on Webster Reservoir - Central Crane Zone November 6, 2024 - January 2, 2025 LIGHT GOOSE CONSERVATION ORDER February 17 - April 30, 2025 |
TALMO - Last Updated: 10/16/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | No waterfowl observed on the area this week. All pools are dry.
REMINDER: ALL HUNTERS NEED TO CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT. Click here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing |
| Water level | ALL POOLS ARE CURRENTLY DRY |
| Hunting conditions | Poor with no water |
| Expected hunting success | Will depend upon rainfall. |
| Comments | Remember: - TALMO IS IN THE LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE TALMO IS IN THE CLOSED SANDHILL CRANE ZONE Low Plains Late Zone Duck Season Youth, Veteran and Active Military: 10/16/24 - 10/20/24 Duck: 10/26/24 - 1/05/25 & 1/18/25 - 1/26/25 Canada Geese: 10/26/24 - 10/27/24 & 11/06/25 - 2/16/25 White-Fronted Geese: 10/26/24 - 12/29/24 & 1/25/25 - 2/16/25 Light Geese: 10/26/24 - 10/27/24 & 11/6/24 - 2/16/25 Light Geese, Conservation Order: 2/17/25 - 4/30/25
- Hunters can Check-in / Check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. - No ATV's are allowed on Department land and maintained roads. -ALL shotgun hunters must use NON-TOXIC shot -No motorized boats allowed. Hunters wanting to utilize boats must carry/paddle them in. -The area has a no trash policy. If you take it in, please bring it back out with you. This includes spent shotgun shells. -ALL vehicles MUST remain on the roads and designated parking areas only. |
WEBSTER - Last Updated: 9/24/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Teal numbers are low for Webster WA as of 9/23. There is about a 50/50 mix of early season big ducks and blue- winged teal. |
| Water level | 1867.2'; 25.3' below conservation pool. |
| Hunting conditions | Irrigation resulted in drastically lower lake levels again in 2024. There are vast mudflats or bare ground surrounding the entire reservoir. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor Boaters: Please be aware of shallow water if using a boat for waterfowl hunting. Many areas near shorelines are very shallow. There are also some humps and high spots that are just out of visibility right below the surface. |
| Comments | Refuge and non-motorized boat area dates: Nov. 1 through Jan. 31. Morel boat ramp is currently dry. The Rockpoint boat ramp within the State Park is accessible. Hunters need a park pass to access boat ramps in the state park. Hunting in or from the shoreline inside the State Park or along the face of the dam is prohibited. Please see the attached PDF and Google Earth file to see updated refuge boundaries and dates. Closed areas will be marked with buoys. REMINDER: Camping is not permitted on the wildlife area, including in parking lots, except for in designated campgrounds. Ground fires are also not permitted except in provided fire rings within campgrounds. Blue/Green Algae There are currently no blue-green algae advisories for the lake. Webster Reservoir currently does not have zebra mussels. Please be sure equipment is cleaned and dry before coming to Webster from other places. Teal Season - Low Plains September 14, 2024- September 29, 2024 Duck Season on Webster Reservoir - Low Plains Late Zone October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 and January 18-26, 2025 Youth Weekend, Duck and Goose October 19-20, 2024 Goose Season on Webster Reservoir CANADA GEESE October 26-27, 2024 and November 6, 2024 - February 16, 2025 WHITE-FRONTED October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 and January 25 - February 16, 2025 LIGHT GEESE October 26-27, 2024 and November 6, 2024 - February 16, 2025 Sandhill Crane Season on Webster Reservoir - Central Crane Zone November 6, 2024 - January 2, 2025 LIGHT GOOSE CONSERVATION ORDER February 17 - April 30, 2025
Webster Wildlife Area and Refuge Map |
WILSON - Last Updated: 9/27/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Teal in Hell Creek and along north side near Lucas Park |
| Water level | 4 ft low; Current elevation: 1512.07; Conservation pool is 1516.0 ft |
| Hunting conditions | Cedar Creek boat ramp is dry and inaccessible; Elm Creek boat ramp is open and usable; declining lake levels resulting in exposed shoreline and minimal flooded vegetation |
| Expected hunting success | |
| Comments | Refuges are closed Sept 1-Jan 31 to all access except by special permit. This includes land and water refuge areas. Teal Season - Low Plains September 14, 2024- September 29, 2024 Duck Season on Webster Reservoir - Low Plains Late Zone October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 and January 18-26, 2025 Youth Weekend, Duck and Goose October 19-20, 2024 Goose Season on Webster Reservoir CANADA GEESE October 26-27, 2024 and November 6, 2024 - February 16, 2025 WHITE-FRONTED October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 and January 25 - February 16, 2025 LIGHT GEESE October 26-27, 2024 and November 6, 2024 - February 16, 2025 Sandhill Crane Season on Webster Reservoir - Central Crane Zone November 6, 2024 - January 2, 2025 LIGHT GOOSE CONSERVATION ORDER February 17 - April 30, 2025 |