Southeast
This a collection of all the Southeast Waterfowl Reports.
ELK CITY RESERVOIR/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 11/22/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | Waterfowl numbers fluctuate with migration, hunting pressure, and changing habitat conditions. |
| Water level | It has turned extremely dry in this area again since mid July. There is very little to no water in the marshes. the Lake is 6 ft. low. We do not have the capability to pump any of the marshes on the wildlife area. Heavy rains will be required to get runoff to fill the marshes. For current Reservoir levels visit http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ELKC.lakepage.html |
| Hunting conditions | The water situation in the wetlands is poor. There is no water in any of the marshes. There was pretty decent vegetative growth in a lot of the wetlands and around the edge of the lake. There will be a good amount of food available for waterfowl if we get some water. BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET HIGH CENTERED IF USING A BOAT. SOME OF THE SHORELINE IS VERY SHALLOW A LONG WAYS OUT FROM THE BANK AND THE MUD IS VERY DEEP IN SOME AREAS. |
| Expected hunting success | Opportunities are limited with the current conditions. TEAL SEASON IS SEPT. 9-24 REGULAR DUCK SEASON IS NOV. 11-JAN. 7 AND JAN. 13-28 |
| Comments | Please do not leave trash on the public ground. Individuals utilizing the wildlife area need to be aware of the refuge boundaries. Boats cannot drive through the refuge area on the water. Maps can be obtained at the Fisheries & Wildlife office (below the dam), at the State Park (on the lake side), and online at https://ksoutdoors.com/content/download/20944/140278/file/ELK%20CITY%20RES%20&%20WA.pdf |
FALL RIVER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 11/20/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | 11/20/23 There are a few small groups of birds on the lake at any given time. Mostly divers. Area pasture ponds have been holding some small groups of birds but not many. We have been seeing some descent groups of geese on wheat fields in the area but almost exclusively on private land. However bad weather and frontal systems seem to push them down into the river bottom. |
| Water level | Lake level is 2.87 feet below normal pool. All area marshes are dry. |
| Hunting conditions | Conditions are going to be challenging on the lake. A boat will most likely be needed. If attempting to hunt from the bank, you will have to contend with a large area of mud flat between the waters edge and any cover. |
| Expected hunting success | Low to Moderate |
| Comments | Waterfowl reports will be updated on a bi-weekly basis during the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. Updates will be made when significant changes in waterfowl numbers are observed. For information pertaining to the Fall River Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |
JOHN REDMOND - Last Updated: 10/27/2023
2023 Regulations and Seasons
TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE
Season: 09/10/2023 - 09/24/2023
Area open: East of Hwy. U. S. 283
Daily bag limit: 6 teal (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
Possession limit: 18 teal in possession (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
YOUTH, VETERAN AND ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL SEASONS (Youth 17 and younger) Stamps/Permits Required: Resident youth hunters under 16 years of age do not need any stamps or permits. Nonresident youth need a nonresident hunting license, a Kansas HIP Permit and State Waterfowl Permit
Southeast Zone: 11/04/2023 - 11/5/2023
DUCKS, LOW PLAINS SOUTHEAST ZONE
Season: 11/11/2023 - 01/07/2024 and 01/13/2023 - 01/28/2024
Daily bag limit: 6
Possession limit: Three times the daily limit
Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
DUCK LIMITS- 6 ducks, with species and sex restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, and 1 scaup.
DARK GEESE: Canada, Cackling and Brant
Season: 10/28/2023 - 10/29/2023 and 11/01/2023 - 02/11/2024
Area open: Statewide
Daily bag limit: 6 (including Brant)
Possession limit: 18
Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
Season: 10/28/2023 - 12/31/2023 and 01/20/2024 - 02/11/2024
Area open: Statewide
Daily bag limit: 2
Possession limit: 6
Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
LIGHT GEESE
Season: 10/28/2023 - 10/29/2023 and 11/01/2023 - 02/11/2024
Area open: Statewide
Daily bag limit: 50
Possession limit: No limit
Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
LIGHT GEESE, CONSERVATION ORDER
Season: 02/12/2024 - 04/30/2024
Area Open: Statewide
Daily Limit: Unlimited
Possession Limit: Unlimited
Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
Equipment Restrictions: During the Conservation Order, unplugged shotguns and electronic calls may be used. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
MARAIS DES CYGNES - Last Updated: 11/16/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | ATTENTION HUNTERS: There is a new check-in system All hunters must check-in daily To check-in / check-out. Hunters, go to this site: https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin Use your licensing login credentials to access the check-in / check-out functions. LEGAL SHOOTING TIME FOR WATERFOWL ENDS AT SUNSET! Waterfowl species observed: green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, wood duck, northern pintail, mallard, gadwall, American wigeon, ring-necked duck, Canada goose, white fronted goose, and coots.
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| Water levels | We are still pumping a few places. Water levels may change a little throughout the week. Hunters should expect lower than average water levels for the beginning of duck season. Small satellite wetlands may not have water until later in the season, if at all. There hasn't been a runoff event from rain in several months. Places that cannot be pumped, will likely be dry. Water Level Gauges: A-North (Reese Lake/north structure): 21" A-North (middle structure):30.5" A-North (boat ramp): mostly dry, lowest elevations have water. A-East at ramp (new location): 16.5" A-East at outlet: 32" C-South at outlet: 20" Unit D wetlands: dry Unit E wetlands: dry F-East at outlet: 27.5" F-South at outlet: 17" F-West at outlet: 17" Unit G: 22" Unit H: dry Refuge Units: B-North: 19" B-South: 38" C-North: Staff use these gauges to help manage water levels through both pumping and drawdowns. We will try to provide the level of water as it reads on the gauge. Hunters should keep in mind this value should be used as an index. If the gauge reads 15", it doesn't mean there's 15" of water across the whole unit the gauge reading should be used as a reference. Over time it should help provide a better answer to one of the most common questions we get. "How much water is in _____ unit?" |
| Hunting/ Habitat conditions | Moist soil food production was average or better than average across the area. Summer heat and dry conditions had the cocklebur growing really well. We have dedicated lots of time to controlling it, but hunters should expect it throughout the area. Japanese Millet was planted in a few small areas, but didn't produce well. Corn was left in wide strips through C-South and F-East. Summer vegetation was good or better in: A-East, Unit G (made lots of food, but lots of cocklebur too) Summer vegetation was fair to good in: A-North, F-South, E Summer vegetation was poor to fair: F-West If you like the habitat or water levels in wetlands, be sure to thank the following staff: Seasonal technicians: Cody, Simon, Ron, Alex, and Bryan . Habitat Specialist: Danny. or Assistant Manager: Joe. If there's something you don't like on the area, be sure to tell the Area Manager, Jacob. Hope everyone has a great season. Enjoy your time in the field!
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| Season Dates | LOW PLAINS TEAL: Sept. 9-24, 2023 SOUTHEAST ZONE YOUTH/MILITARY: Nov. 4-5, 2023 SOUTHESAT LATE ZONE DUCK SEASON OPENS Nov. 11, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024 and Jan 13-28, 2024 WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE OPENS Oct. 28, - Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 20 - Feb. 1, 2024 DARK GOOSE SEASON OPENS Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Nov. 1 - Feb. 11, 2024 Light GOOSE SEASON OPENS Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Nov. 1 - Feb. 11, 2024 Conservation Light Goose season is from February 12 - April 30, 2024 |
| Comments | Please report all banded waterfowl to the appropriate agencies. Gas motors are restricted to Unit G and the boat lane in Unit A-East. Outboards cannot be used in any other wetland units. Electric trolling motors are unrestricted. Atv's of any kind are not allowed on the area (side by sides, utv's, amphibious vehicles, "argos", this also means no electric bicycles) Campgrounds on the area are primitive. (No electric, No water) Take your trash with you! Please remember to fill out the daily 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, each individual hunter needs to check in/out and report his/her harvest totals. i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL. |
MELVERN LAKE/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 11/30/2023
| 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 number of waterfowl on the area. Unidentified Duck: 2,000 Coots: 50 Mallards: 100 Mallard Migration Rank = 6 (0 = no mallards and 10 = peak migration) |
| Water level | Lake level = 1037.41; Conservation pool = 1036.00; Target goal for the lake is 1036.00. 0% Ice cover on Melvern Lake. |
| Hunting conditions | Melvern Lake and the Wildlife Area fall within the Low Plains Late Zone. 3 Duck Marsh- The wetland is full. Willow Marsh- This wetland is full of moist soil vegetation and provides excellent habitat. This wetland is full. Sundance Marsh- This wetland contains moist soil vegetation. The wetland is dry. Lowman's Cove- This wetland is full and moist soil production was high. Shoveler Slough- This wetland is prime moist-soil vegetation. Habitat conditions look excellent. This wetland is full. The parking lot for this wetland is located at the intersection of 317th and S. Davis Rd. Price Marsh- This newly completed wetland has decent moist soil vegetation. This wetland is full. The parking lot for this wetland is at 309th & Crawford. NO DRIVING ON THE LEVEE. Refuge-The refuge is on the west end of the lake and directly east of Willow Marsh. It produced good moist soil vegetation. The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th. |
| Expected hunting success | Low |
| Comments | All hunters utilizing Melvern Wildlife Area are required to obtain a free daily hunt permit through the new electronic permit system. Hunters can register now to begin using the electronic system at https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Waterfowl hunters utilizing the main lake are only required to obtain a permit when hunting west of Hoch Road. 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. TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE
YOUTH, VETERAN AND ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL SEASONS (Youth 17 and younger)
DUCKS, LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE
DUCK LIMITS
CANADA GEESE
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
LIGHT GEESE
The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th. |
NEOSHO WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 11/20/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | Hunters can check in here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. Check-in / check-out is required for all hunters! NO ENTRY (by foot, boat, etc) INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER SUNSET (LEGAL SHOOTING TIME). Duck species present on area consist of Wood Ducks, Blue and Green Winged Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Pintail and a mix of divers. There are also Canada, White-fronted and Snow Geese utilizing the area. |
| Water level | The SE part of the state is still in need of some rain. Pool elevations are normal or slightly above average and staff will continue to stage up throughout the hunting season. Flood irrigation began in the hunting pools on July 13th and finished up August 2. This was done to help preserve habitat, promote seed production, invertebrate production and keep moist soil plants from burning up. Pump is on and off depending on river flows but very restricted in the amount of water that can be pumped. Continue to lose water to evaporation, so at this point all we are doing is keeping up with evaporation loss and water levels are not changing much. Please see area news for habitat conditions Boats are NOT required to hunt Neosho. Walk-in hunting is readily available with very few areas over knee deep. Hunters should take caution during the regular waterfowl season wading the boat lane (south end) in Pool 1 (tractor roads/foot crossings are in place); the very east side of 2A, and the oxbow area of 2B. We have been losing .75" of water a week in all pools due to evaporation and transpiration. Looking at the 10 day forecast there is no rain in the forecast but lower temps will help with evaporation loss. . Hunters should expect shallow water levels for this waterfowl season. Boat accessibility including mud motors will be limited in hunting pools, ditches or boating lanes will have adequate water, but hunters should expect to have to push their boat (this includes boats with mudmotors!) or walk outside of the boat lane. Average pool depths are between 8 and 14". We do not have aquatic equipment to assist nor will we be able to assist if boats get stuck, NO ONE likes to listen to a stuck boat while they are trying to hunt. Use extreme caution when traveling outside of the ditches. Pool 1- 200 Acres Pool 2A- 90 Acres Pool 2B- 150 acres Pool 3 (Refuge)- 475 acres Pool 4A- 90 Acres Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only Pool 4B- 40 Acres Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only Pool 5- (Lower Pool- Dry Middle Pool- Dry Upper Pool- Dry ) Pool 6- Dry Pool 7- Dry Pool 8- 20 Acres Please remember that this pool is youth/mentor ONLY on weekends and holidays. Pool 9- Dry South Unit- Dry
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| Hunting conditions | SE Zone waterfowl season Nov. 11th to Jan. 7th and Jan. 13th to 28th Habitat is looking extremely good, seed production was high and the vegetation is fairly tall and rank, so what water we have will be hard to see. Pool elevations are normal for this time of the year and we will continue to stage up through the hunting season. Please see the area news page for a breakdown of habitat types within each pool.
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| Expected hunting success | SE ZONE REGULAR SEASON Nov. 11th to Jan. 7th and Jan. 13th to Jan. 28th Fair to good Please be respectful of other hunters and allow space between hunting parties. We want to thank everyone for the continued cooperation with utilizing our new electronic check-in/out system. The agency continues to work diligently on improving the new system and are confident it will be working for the upcoming waterfowl season. Area staff look at and manipulate this data in many different ways to make management decisions for upcoming years and to also look at what management strategies worked during the hunting season. |
| Comments | ATTENTION: Federal waterfowl stamps purchased online are only valid for 45 days after purchase. After 45 days of being purchased the actual stamp must be in your possession, signed across the face of the stamp, while hunting! Reminder: Motorized watercraft are prohibited on the wildlife area until the day season opens. (5:00am, November 5,2022 for regular duck season.) DAILY REGULATION: NO ENTRY INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER LEGAL SHOOTING TIME. DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PUBLIC LAND IN KANSAS All Boating regulations are enforced! (Lifejackets must be out and accessible, navigation lights, etc.) All boats must operate at no wake speeds within boating canals (signs are posted) No shooting is allowed from interior dikes Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hr before sunrise to SUNSET! Required Licenses/stamps: Hunting License, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, Kansas State Stamp, and Kansas H.I.P. Stamp. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required licenses/stamps. You MUST also check in and check out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. Waterfowl hunting in Pool 8 is restricted to youth hunters and their mentor on weekends and holidays. There must be at least one youth per adult if the adult is hunting. (You can't have 5 adults and one youth). This applies during the Youth and Veterans season, this pool is for youth only during youth and veterans season, unless the veteran is taking a youth hunting. Atv's of any kind are not allowed on the area (side by sides, utv's, amphibious vehicles, "argos"; this includes electric bicycles) Campgrounds on the area are Primitive campground. (No electric, No water) Take your trash with you!! 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, each individual hunter needs to check in/out and report his/her harvest totals. i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL. |
TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 11/20/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | 11/20/23 There are a few small groups of birds on the lake at any given time. Mostly divers. Area pasture ponds have been holding some small groups of birds but not many. We have been seeing some descent groups of geese on ag fields in the area but almost exclusively on private land. |
| Water level | Lake is 2.27 ft. below normal pool level. All area marshes are dry. |
| Hunting conditions | Hunting conditions will be challenging. If hunting the lake a boat will most likely be needed, otherwise one would have to deal with a large distance of mud flat from any cover to the waters edge. |
| Expected hunting success | Low to Moderate |
| Comments | Waterfowl reports will be posted on a bi-weekly basis throughout the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. Updates will be made when a significant change in bird numbers is observed. For information pertaining to the Toronto Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |