Southeast
This a collection of all the Southeast Waterfowl Reports.
NFJOHN REDMOND - Last Updated: 11/16/2020
| Waterfowl numbers | 5,000 mixed ducks. 1,800 Dark Geese |
| Water level | Current Level: 1040.7 Conservation Pool Level: 1041 |
| Hunting conditions |
Teal - Low Plains 09/12/2020 - 09/27/2020 Location: East of Hwy. U. S. 283 Area open: East of Hwy. U. S. 283 Daily bag limit: 6 Possession limit: 18 Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Stamp, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
Duck Season - Youth/Veteran/Active Military (Low Plains Southeast) 11/07/2020 - 11/08/2020 Daily Bag Limit: Youth may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers with same daily bag limits as during the regular seasons. Possession Limit: same as regular seasons. Stamps/Permits Required: Resident youth hunters do not need any stamps or permits. Nonresident youth need a nonresident hunting license, a Kansas HIP Permit and State Waterfowl Permit.
Ducks - Low Plains Southeast Zone 11/14/2020 -01/03/2021 Daily bag limit: 6 Six ducks is the daily bag limit, which may include no more than two canvasbacks, two redheads, one pintail, three wood ducks, three scaup and five mallards (only two of which may be hens). The daily bag may comprise six of any other duck, such as six teal, six gadwall, or six wigeon. Possession limit: Three times the daily limit.
Dark Geese Season (First Segment) 10/31/2020 - 11/01/2020 (Second Segment) 11/04/2020 -02/14/2021 Area open: Statewide Daily bag limit: 6 (including Brant) Possession limit: 18 Kansas HIP Stamp, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp Required
White-fronted Geese Season (First Segment) 10/31/2020- 01/03/2021 (Second Segment) 01/23/2021 – 02/14/2021 Location: Statewide Daily bag limit: 2 Possession limit: 6 Kansas HIP Stamp, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp Required
Light Geese Season (First Segment) 10/31/2020- 11/01/2020 (Second Segment) 11/04/2020- 02/14/2021 Location: Statewide Daily bag limit: 50 Possession limit: Unlimited Kansas HIP Stamp, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp Required
Light Geese Conservation Order NOTE - During this period, there will be no bag or possession limit on light geese. In addition, participants will be allowed to use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls and take light geese from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset during the period of the conservation order. 02/15/2021- 04/30/2021 Location: Statewide Possession Limit: Unlimited Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Stamp, State, Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp John Redmond and Otter Creek Wildlife Area Fall 2020 Conditions- There was no spring flooding issues this year, and vegetation around reservoir looks superb. I expect excellent habitat conditions this year for waterfowl. Otter Creek Marshes, located below John Redmond Dam- excellent vegetation, but no water. Water control structures are closed and ready to hold water, but we have not been able to catch any substantial precipitation events as of yet. Will keep page updated if conditions change. The Sedimentation Basins located on west side, below dam, are not open for hunting, and are privately owned and operated. |
| Expected hunting success | 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. |
ELK CITY RESERVOIR/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 11/25/2020
| Waterfowl numbers | The marshes caught some more runoff yesterday and last night. Some have filled up but not all of them. Pretty much everything has huntable water now. Wigeon marsh still doesn't have much water but there is a little in the lower end. 2 or 3 thousand ducks have been seen on and around the reservoir this week. Mainly mallards and GW teal but also pintail, gadwall, wigeon and some divers observed. Most of the ducks observed are using the refuge after continued high hunting pressure. A couple thousand snow geese on the reservoir as well. The waterfowl numbers are expected to fluctuate with migration, hunting pressure, and changing habitat conditions. |
| Water level | Wetland water levels vary. The reservoir is currently about 1 ft above conservation pool and rising but the COE has opened the gates so the water level will start dropping again soon. There is a lot of good flooded vegetation on the lake edge currently. For current Reservoir levels visit http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ELKC.lakepage.html |
| Hunting conditions | There is a lot of sesbania around the lake this year. It will provide some cover but please try not to transport the plants or seeds away from the reservoir because it is a non-native, invasive species that we spend a lot of time trying to control in the wetlands. Wetland food production was great this year. A little more runoff should fill stuff up. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. REGULAR DUCK SEASON IS NOV. 14-JAN. 3 AND JAN. 9-31 |
| Comments | 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). Japanese Millet was planted around the area wetlands with good results, and there was a very good natural response of wild millet (barnyard grass) and smartweed in most wetlands. Overall, there should be plenty of food to attract waterfowl. |
FALL RIVER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 2/21/2020
| Waterfowl numbers | 2/21/20 Duck season is closed for the Low Plains Southeast Zone. Seasons for Canada and white-fronted geese, as well as the regular season for light geese, ended on Feb. 16. The Conservation Order Light Geese Season runs from Feb. 17 to April 30. Light geese are not commonly found in large numbers in the Fall River Reservoir area. |
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| Comments | Waterfowl reports are expected to continue next fall. A new report will normally be posted weekly during the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. For information pertaining to the Fall River Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |
MARAIS DES CYGNES - Last Updated: 11/20/2020
| Waterfowl numbers | Still holding around 30,000, mostly mallards and green wing teal with some pintail and gadwall. Good numbers of white fronted geese around the valley too. Very few Canada geese. |
| Water levels | There has been over 500 million gallons of water pumped this fall at MDCW. Stage ups will occur throughout the season as needed. Adequate water can be found in most units. With the rank vegetation, very little water is visible in some units. Good water in A-East, A-North, F-West, F-South, F-East, C South and Unit G. Smaller units have started taking water. Larger boats will likely not float off the trailer at the A-East ramp early in the season. Unit G is more shallow now than it has been in recent years, but has great cover and great food. The primarily northern refuge pool will not be pumped until later in the season. The southern refuge pool that cannot be seen from public roads has good water. Unless a significant rain event occurs, Unit E and Unit H will have little to no water. "Flooded timber" units will not have water until later in the season, if at all. |
| Hunting/ Habitat conditions | Very good moist-soil vegetation in major wetlands, some Japanese millet planted in A North, very little corn in small wetlands. Approximately 100 acres of wheat planted across the area. Levee renovation project was completed on portions of Unit E. |
| Hunting success | We haven't had a significant migration in over three weeks. In addition, we continue to have mild weather. These factors have contributed to lower than average success. |
| Comments | NOTE: Legal shooting hours are 1/2-hour before sunrise to SUNSET. Late shooters (shooting after sunset) will be prosecuted. 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: 11/19/2020
| 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) 11/19/2020 ( 10:00 a.m. )--- ALL WETLAND UNITS ARE FULL 3 Duck Marsh- 6 wood ducks, 24 gadwall Willow Marsh- 5 redheads, 7 unknown dabblers, 40 coots Sundance Marsh- 2 unknown Lowman's Cove- none Shoveler Slough- none LOCATION:South parking lot is at the intersection of W 317th St. & S Davis Rd. (NOTE: Motorized boats are prohibited) Refuge- 150 coots |
| Water level | Lake level = 1034.67; Conservation pool = 1036.00; Target goal for the lake is 1034.00. 0% Ice cover on Melvern Lake. |
| Hunting conditions | Moist soil vegetation had great production in all units providing ample amounts of natural food for waterfowl once flooded. Warm weather has slowed migration and waterfowl numbers are low. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor - Fair |
| 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. |
NEOSHO WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 11/23/2020
TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 2/21/2020
| Waterfowl numbers | 2/21/20 Duck season is closed for the Low Plains Southeast Zone. Seasons for Canada and white-fronted geese, as well as the regular season for light geese, ended on Feb. 16. The Conservation Order Light Geese Season runs from Feb. 17 to April 30, 2020. Light geese are not commonly found in large numbers in the Toronto Reservoir area. |
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| Comments | Waterfowl reports are expected to continue next fall. A new report will normally be posted weekly during the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. For information pertaining to the Toronto Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |