Southeast
This a collection of all the Southeast Waterfowl Reports.
1JOHN REDMOND - Last Updated: 9/10/2021
| Waterfowl numbers | Only two groups of teal seen during survey. Each flock had maybe 10-12 Green-wing Teal. |
| Water level | Current Level: 1042.3 Conservation Pool Level: 1041 |
| Hunting conditions | TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE
YOUTH, VETERAN AND ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL SEASONS (Youth 17 and younger) Southeast Zone: Oct. 30-31, 2021 DUCKS, LOW PLAINS SOUTHEAST ZONE
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. Geese CANADA GEESE
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
LIGHT GEESE
LIGHT GEESE, CONSERVATION ORDER
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John Redmond and Otter Creek Wildlife Area Fall 2021 Conditions- I expect average habitat conditions this year for waterfowl on John Redmond Reservoir. Otter Creek Marshes, located below John Redmond Dam- Only the upper marsh will have water this year. It has excellent vegetation, and is currently 2/3 full.
The Sedimentation Basins located on west side, below dam, are not open for hunting, and are privately owned and operated. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor. Teal are just not in yet in any hauntable numbers. |
| 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: 9/15/2021
| Waterfowl numbers | A few groups of teal have been seen around the reservoir totaling less than 100. The waterfowl numbers are expected to fluctuate with migration, hunting pressure, and changing habitat conditions. |
| Water level | The marshes have very little to no water in them. Heavy rains will be required to get runoff to fill the marshes. Today, the reservoir is 0.31 ft above pool level. For current Reservoir levels visit http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ELKC.lakepage.html |
| Hunting conditions | There has been pretty good moist soil production this year. Some heavy rain would improve hunting conditions. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor. TEAL SEASON IS SEPT. 11-26 REGULAR DUCK SEASON IS NOV. 6-JAN. 2 AND JAN. 15-30 |
| Comments | 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 as long as we get some rain to fill the marshes. |
FALL RIVER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 1/8/2021
| Waterfowl numbers | 01/08/21 Waterfowl numbers remain low. There are always several small groups of divers on watersheds and pasture ponds as well as the reservoir. Because of the lack of flooded vegetation birds are not lingering in the area. There have been a few large groups of ducks on agricultural fields, however, most of the ducks have been on private fields and not on the wildlife area. A few large groups of divers (mostly mergansers) have been observed on the river recently. Goose numbers have been fair with birds focusing on cut corn fields with wheat drilled in. |
| Water level | Water levels have risen slightly with recent rains, but still fall short of flooding vegetation along shore lines. |
| Hunting conditions | |
| Expected hunting success | Hunters can expect the see waterfowl and perhaps do some shooting, however, a limit would be hard to come by. |
| 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. |
MARAIS DES CYGNES - Last Updated: 9/21/2021
| Waterfowl numbers | Low numbers of teal. Decent amount of wood ducks and a handful of other early migrants. Very few rails observed. |
| Water levels | WARNING: A harmful algae bloom may be present in the southeast corner of Unit G. Do NOT hunt in this area or let pets drink or come in contact with this water. Bluegreen algae toxins can be deadly! Other water on the wildlife area, should not be ruled out as possible locations for harmful algae. Water in the marshes is a very low right now. A substantial amount of water has evaporated in the last couple weeks. Water can be found in the lowest portions of: A-East, A-North, E, F-South, F- West, and few small wetlands. Water is also in two refuge units: C-North and the lowest portions of B-North. Currently there are a few issues with the main river pump at Unit A, which is preventing any water to be pumped. Once this is resolved (unknown timeline), pumping will begin there. The B-North refuge unit is currently being pumped. |
| Hunting/ Habitat conditions | Its been a roller coaster for habitat management this growing season. There was early flooding, excessive rain, and periods of extreme dry. In addition, there have been several cycles of army worms that have caused significant damage to vegetation. Currently, there is another wave of army worms in a few units. Its been a bad year for cocklebur, attempts are still being made to control it, but expect some in almost all units. More details about habitat conditions will be posted in a few weeks, but in general, average food production will likely occur across the area. |
| Hunting success | EARLY TEAL OPENS Sept. 11 - 26, 2021 YOUTH, VETERAN and ACTIVE MILITARY OPENS Oct 30 & 31,2021 SOUTHESAT LATE ZONE DUCK SEASON OPENS Nov. 6,2021 - Jan. 2, 2022 and Jan 15 - Jan. 30, 2022 WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE OPENS Oct. 30,2021 - Jan 2, 2022 and Jan. 22 - Feb. 13, 2022 DARK GOOSE SEASON OPENS Oct. 30 - 31,2021 and Nov. 3 - Feb. 13, 2022 Light GOOSE SEASON OPENS Oct. 30 - 31,2021 and Nov. 3 - Feb. 13, 2022 Conservation Light Goose season is from February 14 - April , 2022 |
| 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. Waterfowl report is updated only if there are significant changes in waterfowl numbers or hunting conditions. |
MELVERN LAKE/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/8/2021
| 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. 57 Blue-winged Teal 13 Mallards 125 Unidentified Waterfowl Mallard Migration Rank = 1 (0 = no mallards and 10 = peak migration) |
| Water level | Lake level = 1038.00; Conservation pool = 1036.00; Target goal for the lake is 1034.00. 0% Ice cover on Melvern Lake. |
| Hunting conditions | 09/08/2021 3 Duck Marsh- The east unit has been planted to corn and the west unit has produced excellent moist soil vegetation. Neither unit is holding water currently. Willow Marsh- This wetland is full of moist soil vegetation and will provide excellent habitat. Currently the south unit is approximately 1/3 full and the north unit is approximately 1/4 full. Both retention ponds are full. Sundance Marsh- This wetland remained underwater until early August due to high lake levels. There was some response by moist soil vegetation and the wetland is approximately 2/3 full. Lowman's Cove- Due to high rainfall totals this wetland remained full and produced little food within the marsh. There will be plenty of cover around the edges but lots of open water within the wetland. Shoveler Slough- This unit is a mix of corn and moist-soil production. Habitat conditions are looking excellent. There are two small pools still holding water on the north end and a few acres of water in the south end of the wetland. LOCATION:South parking lot is at the intersection of W 317th St. & S Davis Rd. Refuge-The refuge is on the west end of the lake and directly east of Willow Marsh. It produced good moist soil vegetation and will provide excellent habitat to hold waterfowl in the area as long as the lake level remains high. The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair-Good |
| 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: 9/11/2021
TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 1/8/2021
| Waterfowl numbers | 01/08/21 Ducks remain present in small numbers. Most groups of birds observed have been limited to roughly one to two dozen birds. Most of the birds observed have been divers. Most pasture ponds and water sheds are holding small groups of birds. If conditions are right for ponds to ice up, expect birds to concentrate on the reservoir. |
| Water level | Water levels have risen slightly, however, water is still short of flooding any vegetation. Area marshes remain dry. |
| Hunting conditions | |
| Expected hunting success | With mostly divers being observed hunters could have some success on the reservoir, however, a limit of birds may be hard to come by. |
| 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. |