Southeast
This a collection of all the Southeast Waterfowl Reports.
NEOSHO WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 2/12/2019
| Waterfowl numbers | Duck Season is CLOSED!!! iSportsman (electronic daily hunt permit system) is required for all hunters, We now have a zero tolerance policy on failure to comply with iSportsman and check station requirements. 25,000 ducks; mainly Mallards and mixed divers. 2000 Canada Geese, 3500 White-fronted Geese and Snow Geese are varying daily. |
| Mallard Migration Rank | MMR=5 0= No Mallards, 1= Very Few Mallards, 5= Moderate Numbers, 10= Peak |
| Water level | All BOATS MUST OPERATE AT NO-WAKE SPEEDS WITHIN BOATING CANALS Pool 1- FULL Pool 2A- FULL Pool 2B- 95% full Pool 4B- FULL Pool 4A- FULL Pool 5- Middle and lower pool are both FULL. The upper end structure is leaking, staff have attempted to fix twice with no luck. Pool will be dry this season. Pool 6- FULL Pool 7-FULL Pool 8- 75% full Refuge - roughly 12" low South Unit- Dry and will remain dry for 2018-2019 seasons for renovation work (see "Area News"). All pools are between 18 and 24 inch average depth. For more information on the water level conditions for upcoming season please see the area news by clicking link below and clicking on the "NEWS" icon. |
| Hunting conditions | Duck Season is CLOSED!! Fair. Area is 99% iced up as of 2/10/2019. Expected to thaw based on forecasted temperatures Corn and millet production was exceptional this year. Moist soil seed production was some of the best we have seen on the area and we are extremely pleased. Habitat and water levels are excellent for this time of year. Please see the area news page for a breakdown of habitat types within each pool.
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| Expected hunting success | Southeast Zone Regular Duck Season is CLOSED!! Dark Goose Season Closes February 17, 2019 Duck Season totals for 2018-2019 2758 Hunters harvested 4720 ducks for a 1.71 BPH average; 81% (3823) Mallards; 8% (378) Green-winged teal; and 3% (127) Pintail. Number of hunters ranks 19th, Harvest ranks 17th and BPH ranks 11th out of the last 33 duck seasons on Neosho Wildlife Area November (21 days): 1142 Hunters harvested 2259 ducks (48% of the total harvest) for a 1.98 BPH average; 70% (1584) Mallards; 15% (347) Green-winged Teal; and 4% (100) Pintail. December (31 Days): 1093 Hunters harvested 1387 ducks (29% of the total harvest) for a 1.27 BPH average; 93% (1289) Mallards; 2% (24) Green-winged Teal; and 1% (19) Ring-necked ducks. January (22 Days): 523 Hunters harvested 1074 ducks (23% of the total harvest) for a 2.05 BPH average, 92% (991) Mallards; 3% (33) Gadwall; and 3% (33) Ring-necked ducks. We still have 50 hunters that have not checked out of the iSportsman system. Please check to make sure it is not you and please remember to check out by 11:59pm daily. Thank You!!! |
| Comments | If the red check out sign is out at check station all hunters are required to stop. Thanks Neosho WA requires all hunters to utilize the daily permit system called isportsman. Hunters will need to register via PC prior to hunting at Neosho 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, each individual hunter needs to check in/out and report his/her harvest totals. i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL. Waterfowl hunting in Pool 8 is restricted to youth hunters and their mentor on weekends and holidays. For additional area news please visit the area website at: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Region-5/Neosho/Area-News. |
TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 1/24/2019
| Waterfowl numbers | 1/24/19 There were no ducks seen using the reservoir early this week. Waterfowl is currently mostly absent. Duck season for the Low Plains Southeast Zone is from Nov. 10, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019 and Jan. 12-27, 2019. The season for Canada geese and light geese opens initially for two days Oct. 27 and 28, 2018. It then opens again Nov. 7, 2018 and runs until Feb. 17, 2019. The season for white-fronted geese opens Oct. 27 through Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 26 through Feb. 17, 2019. The light geese, conservation order season will be from Feb. 18 to Apr. 30, 2019. |
| Water level | The reservoir is 1.1 ft. above conservation pool. Wetlands are full. |
| Hunting conditions | The reservoir is approximately 90% frozen over. Open spots in the middle of the reservoir may hold small numbers of ducks. |
| Expected hunting success | Based on observations, hunting success may be slow. |
| Comments | A new report will be posted weekly during the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. For information pertaining to the Toronto Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |
ELK CITY RESERVOIR/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 2/28/2019
| Waterfowl numbers | Duck season is closed. There are a good number of waterfowl using the area as they migrate back north. The numbers and species vary greatly from day to day. Less than 1,000 snow geese have been seen using the reservoir this week. The light goose numbers are also fluctuating a lot. |
| Water level | The reservoir is currently 0.7 ft high and slowly dropping. Wetlands are full. |
| Hunting conditions | The lake edge is primarily mud bank now due to repeated flooding. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair to Good. |
| Comment | For updated waterfowl numbers and weather conditions call (620) 331-6820. Individuals utilizing the wildlife area need to be aware of the refuge boundaries. Maps can be obtained at the Fisheries & Wildlife office (below the dam) or at the State Park (on the lake side). |
FALL RIVER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 1/24/2019
| Waterfowl numbers | 1/24/19 About 1,000 ducks were using the reservoir this week, as well as about 300 Canada geese. Ducks were using an open pool out in the middle of the reservoir. Duck season for the Low Plains Southeast Zone is from Nov. 10, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019 and Jan. 12-27, 2019. The season for Canada geese and light geese opens initially for two days Oct. 27 and 28, 2018. It then opens again Nov. 7, 2018 and runs until Feb. 17, 2019. The season for white-fronted geese opens Oct. 27 through Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 26 through Feb. 17, 2019. The light geese, conservation order season will be from Feb. 18 to Apr. 30, 2019. |
| Water level | The reservoir is 0.56 ft. above conservation pool. Wetlands are full. |
| Hunting conditions | The reservoir is approximately 90% frozen over. |
| Expected hunting success | Based on observations, hunting success may be slow. Although open water is limited, ducks and geese have been using crop fields. |
| Comments | A new report will be posted weekly during the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. For information pertaining to the Fall River Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |
JOHN REDMOND - Last Updated: 2/6/2019
| Waterfowl numbers | 1500 Dark Geese, 2000 Light Geese |
| Water level | Current Level: 1041.72 Conservation Pool Level: 1042.78 |
| Hunting conditions | Dark Geese- Oct. 27-28, 2018 and Nov. 7, 2018-Feb. 17, 2019 Light Geese- Oct. 27-28, 2018 and Nov. 7, 2018-Feb. 17, 2019 Spring Conservation Order: Feb. 18, 2019-April 30, 2019 Boats ramps on reservoir are weather dependent, and conditions are day to day. Ramps on creeks are starting to get iffy. Some are open, some of the creeks are iced up in places. 50 degree days have opened up lake, but cooler temps should start seeing more ice. Birds are scattered around lake, but concentrations can be found at major creek entrances, such as mouth of Otter Creek. Birds are rafting up in middle of lake during most of the day. Lower marsh is currently 100% full, and consist of some millet and moist soil annuals. Upper Marsh below dam is 100% full. All department managed marshes are open for public waterfowl hunting, and are located below John Redmond Dam south of spillway. Beware, both the upper and lower marsh's contain some deep water in lower portions, well over 6 feet in depth. The large sedimentation basins located below damn are not open to public hunting and are under private ownership. |
| Expected hunting success | Average To see real time John Redmond elevations please visit---- http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/JOHN.lakepage.html |
| Comments | For information on Flint Hills National Wildlife Area and the marshes on the upper end of the lake please contact FHNWR @ 620-392-5553. |
MARAIS DES CYGNES - Last Updated: 2/8/2019
| Waterfowl numbers | Few geese. |
| Water levels | Good water levels in all units. |
| Hunting/ Habitat conditions | Frozen. |
| Hunting success | Season: 4,965 ducks / 3,391 hunters = 1.5 success. Season dark goose harvest = 78. |
| Comments | The Southeast Zone duck season CLOSED January 27th. All hunters must check-in daily using iSportsman electronic check-in from a PC, smartphone, or by phone before hunting and check out at the end of the hunt regardless of harvest. We now have a zero tolerance policy on failure to comply with iSportsman and check station requirements. Please remember to fill out the check-out report 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. Go to: Outboard motors are restricted on this wildlife area and are allowed in Unit G and in the boat lane only in Unit A-East. Outboards are not allowed in any other wetland units. Electric trolling motors are unrestricted. Boats must be operated at wakeless speed. Boats must have sufficient PFDs for occupants. Go to MDCWA and click the "News" icon near the top for more information on general waterfowl habitat. Waterfowl report is updated only if there are significant changes in waterfowl numbers or hunting conditions. |
MELVERN LAKE/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 2/22/2019
| 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. Mallard Migration Rank = 1 (0 = no mallards and 10 = peak migration) 02/22/2019 ( 10:00 AM )--- 3 Duck Marsh- Both units fully pumped. Willow Marsh- North and South units are pumped and full. Sundance Marsh- No waterfowl was observed on the survey. Lowman's Cove- Full of water. No waterfowl was observed on the survey. Shoveler Slough- LOCATION: South parking lot for Shoveler Slough is at the intersection of W 317th St. & S Davies Rd. No waterfowl observed during the survey. (NOTE: Motorized boats are prohibited) We are currently drawing down the water at Shoveler Slough for levee repair. Refuge- Canada geese observed coming off the lake to search for fields to feed in, and about 30 mixed waterfowl, largely Mallards, and diving ducks. |
| Water level | Lake level = 1034.64; Conservation pool = 1036.00; Target goal for the lake is 1034.00. 65% Ice cover on Melvern Lake. |
| Hunting conditions | Japanese and German millet (50/50 mix) has been drilled in all 5 of our wetlands and is limited due to drought conditions throughout the summer. Millet as well as Milo was planted in alternating strips throughout all of our wetlands to provide varying structure heights as well as options for ducks to feed on moist soil vegetation and grains. Varying food sources an abundance of invertebrates should provide enough food for the ducks to hang around all season. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor. Spring conservation season for light geese runs from February 18 to April 30, 2019. ALL other waterfowl seasons are closed. |
| 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://kdwpt.isportsman.net/ For more information (click here). 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. The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th. |