Southeast
This a collection of all the Southeast Waterfowl Reports.
ELK CITY RESERVOIR/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 1/14/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | The duck numbers seem to have dissipated the second half of this week. They are not forced to be on the reservoir since the ice melted so hopefully there are still good numbers in the area, but they are just less visible. It appears that temps are going to drop again in the near future and some water will freeze up again. The waterfowl numbers are expected to fluctuate with migration, hunting pressure, and changing habitat conditions. |
| Water level | The water levels in the marshes vary across the area. Some have huntable water and some are empty, but none of the marshes are full. 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. Today, the reservoir is 0.41 ft above pool level. For current Reservoir levels visit http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ELKC.lakepage.html |
| Hunting conditions | The water situation in the wetlands is still poor. Heavy rain is still needed to improve hunting conditions. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. Opportunities are limited with the current conditions. 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. 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: 1/14/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | 1/14/22 Descent amount of divers on the lake and some of the small ponds in the area. Still seeing a few small groups of big ducks in the area. If conditions get cold and smaller bodies of water ice over you can expect to see much better numbers on the reservoir. Geese are present in good numbers on fields in the area but not many using the wildlife area as of yet. Birds continue to move in and then out very quickly so scouting a day before any hunt would be advantageous. |
| Water level | Reservoir is at conservation pool. |
| Hunting conditions | Conditions have been mild but frontal system should bring some colder temps and new birds in. |
| Expected hunting success | Limited |
| 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: 1/4/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | 1000 mixed divers, 1000 mixed pudlers, and 3000 dark geese, and some 3,500 snow geese. |
| Water level | Current Level: 1041.2 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
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 full. The Sedimentation Basins located on west side, below dam, are not open for hunting, and are privately owned and operated. |
| Expected hunting success | Shallow water, and shorlines starting to ice up. Boat ramps are currently open but could lock up with below average temperatures. I expect above average success for boat hunters out on the reservoir. |
| 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: 1/20/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | 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 before midnight regardless of harvest. We have a zero tolerance policy on failure to comply with iSportsman 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. If you are having issues with iSportsman, call the office and leave a message. Good number of ducks keeping a couple holes open on the refuge. Hunting success was good for the second opener and until marshes froze up. |
| Water levels | Ice Report: 01/20/22. 99% ice. 1"-1.5" thick at boat ramps. Ice is expected to thicken more tonight. Due to shorter vegetation height, hunters can expect to have slightly shallower water than previous years. Boats may be difficult to launch and use in the majority of units. Water levels are good in the following units: A-North, A-East, F-West, F-South, F-East, C-South and Unit G. Stage ups will occur through out the remainder of the season. All refuge units have good water. Most smaller units that can be pumped, have been pumped. Unit E has very little water in it and will require a large rain event for that to change. With a little scouting, hunters should be able to find opportunities. |
| Hunting/ Habitat conditions | Early flooding and late droughts made for an adverse growing season. In addition, there were several cycles of army worms that destroyed hundreds of acres of desirable vegetation, with Unit G being hit the hardest. In spite of these factors, wetland food production across the area was only slightly below average. Hunters should expect shorter vegetation and more shallow water than typical. With the late season heat and drought, hunters may also have to deal with a little extra cocklebur. Japanese Millet was planted in a few small areas. Milo was planted in C-South and F-East. |
| Season Dates | 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 | 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. Waterfowl report is updated only if there are significant changes in waterfowl numbers or hunting conditions. 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! If you are having trouble logging into iSportsman, PLEASE DO NOT create a new account! Please contact our office prior to hunting, (913) 352-8941, and leave a detailed message with your name and number and we will get back with you to assist with retrieving your log in information. Please do not wait until the morning of to make sure you can check in; take the time to ensure you can sign in and sign out before coming to hunt. 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. Marais des Cygnes WA requires all hunters to utilize the daily permit system called iSportsman. Hunters will need to register via PC prior to hunting at Marais des Cygnes WA. Hunters will be able to check in via PC, smartphone, or call in from cell phone or landline phone each day prior to hunting. Please visit https://kdwpt.isportsman.net to register prior to hunting season. |
MELVERN LAKE/WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 1/19/2022
| 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. 84 Mallards 27 Common Goldeneye 64 Common Merganser 4 Canada Geese 400 Snow Geese Mallard Migration Rank = 5 (0 = no mallards and 10 = peak migration) |
| Water level | Lake level = 1034.92; Conservation pool = 1036.00; Target goal for the lake is 1034.00. 30% Ice cover on Melvern Lake. |
| Hunting conditions | Melvern Lake and the Wildlife Area fall within the Low Plains Late Zone. Duck Season is CLOSED until the second split: January 22nd-30th. 3 Duck Marsh- The wetland is a mix of corn and moist-soil production. Both units are full. Willow Marsh- This wetland is full of moist soil vegetation and will provide excellent habitat. This wetland is 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 100% 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 wetland is a mix of corn and moist-soil production. Habitat conditions are looking excellent. This wetland is full. The parking lot for this wetland is located at the intersection of 317th and 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 but due to dropping lake levels there is very little habitat available. The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th. |
| Expected hunting success | Moderate |
| 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: 1/21/2022
TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 1/14/2022
| Waterfowl numbers | 1/14/22 Descent amount of divers on the lake and some of the small ponds and marshes in the area. Still seeing a few small groups of big ducks in the area. If conditions get cold and smaller bodies of water ice over you can expect to see much better numbers on the reservoir. Geese are present in good numbers on fields in the area but not many using the wildlife area as of yet. Birds continue to move in and then out very quickly so scouting a day before any hunt would be advantageous. |
| Water level | Lake is at conservation pool and all marshes in the area are full. |
| Hunting conditions | With recent warmer weather the ponds and other smaller bodies of water have opened up. Smaller bodies of water will ice over with some colder weather. |
| Expected hunting success | 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. |