Southwest
This is a collection of all the Southwest Waterfowl Report
CHEYENNE BOTTOMS - Last Updated: 12/3/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Decreasing number of ducks on the area, mostly pintails and shovelers, some mallards and a mix of species. Goose numbers have increased, mostly snow geese. We are aware of the some sick and dead snow geese. Samples have been collected and sent off for disease testing. If the report has not been updated in a few days, please assume that conditions and bird numbers are the same as the last update. |
| Water level | Pool 1A-20", Pool 1B-some sheet water, Pool 1C-dry Pool 2-some sheet water Pool 3A-12", Pool 3B-dry, Pool 4A-dry, Pool 4B-dry, Pool 5-dry. Recent rains have put some sheet water in some of the pools, but will likely soak in. Diverting some water from the river. Cheyenne Bottoms has no ground water pumps to fill pools. |
| Hunting conditions | Ice has been forming in the mornings. Pool 2- Planted 60 acres of wheat in the pool. A total of 996 acres of cattails and Phragmites were sprayed August 2023. Blind islands are being rebuilt. Pool 3B- 135 acres of wheat planted in the pool. 5 acres of milo planted. Pool 3A- 4A- 4B- 5- Habitat in the pools look fair with decent amounts of smartweed and barnyard grass along with other annuals scattered throughout. All blind islands in 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B have been rebuilt. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor. Less flooded acres than last year. Been slow so far this season, but a few birds are being harvested. Ducks continue to stay in the refuge portion of the property during legal shooting hours. Most of the waterfowl are using private land that has sheet water in ag fields and not staying on the wildlife area. |
| Comments | ISPORTSMAN IS NO LONGER IN USE. HUNTERS CAN CHECK IN VIA THE GOOUTDOORSKS APP OR THE WEBSITE https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/Event/WMASignIn.aspx ALL BOATS MUST BE OPERATED AT NO WAKE SPEEDS. REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OR SCENERIO, ALL BOATS MUST BE OPERATED AT NO WAKE SPEEDS 100% OF THE TIME, NO EXCEPTIONS. POOL 4A IS CLOSED AT 1 P.M. DAILY TO MOTORIZED BOATS. ANY BOAT WITH A MOTOR ON IT MUST BE OUT OF THE WATER AT 1 P.M. NO MOTORING OUT PRIOR TO 1 P.M. THEN ROWING OR DRAGGING BOAT BACK IN AFTER 1 P.M. 3A IS CLOSED TO MOTORIZED BOATS MOTORIZED BOATS ALLOWED ONLY DURING OPEN WATERFOWL SEASON. THIS MEANS NO SCOUTING FROM A MOTOR BOAT PRIOR TO SEASON. ALL WATERCRAFT ARE PROHIBITED FROM APRIL 15-AUGUST 15 TO PROTECT NESTING BIRDS ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. DURING THE YOUTH/VETERANS/MILITARY WEEKEND, POOL 4B IS DESIGNATED AS A YOUTH ONLY POOL. LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS ARE 30 MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE TO SUNSET. UNLAWFUL TO SHOOT FROM ROADS OR DIKES ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. DO NOT PARK BLOCKING ROADS, GATES, BOAT RAMPS, FOOT CROSSINGS, ETC. DO NOT LAUNCH TRAILERED BOATS FROM DIKES OR FOOT CROSSINGS. ANY BOATS ON A TRAILER MUST USE DESIGNATED BOAT RAMPS. NO TRASH POLICY ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. CAMP IN DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND ONLY Use footcrossings in Pools 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B as the ditches have been cleaned out and are very deep. No Special Hunts for the 2023-2024 season due to dry conditions. For waterfowl season dates, Cheyenne Bottoms is in the Low Plains Early Zone. |
ISABEL - Last Updated: 11/21/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Only 5 wood ducks observed 11/21 mid-day. |
| Water level | The main lake is full. The pool south of the main lake is full and water is flowing to the pools on the east side of the county road. The pool along Hwy. 42 is full. |
| Hunting conditions | |
| Expected hunting success | |
| Comments | Teal Season (Low Plains Zone): September 14-September 29, 2024 Youth, Veteran, Active Military Waterfowl (Low Plains Late Zone): October 19-20, 2024 Ducks (Low Plains Late Zone): October 26, 2024 - December 29, 2024 (first segment) and January 18 - January 26, 2025 (second segment) Daily check-in and harvest reporting is required Check-in/Check-out on The Web
Check-in/Check-out on The App
Only non-toxic shot is allowed on Isabel Wetland Wildlife Area for all species. |
TEXAS LAKE - Last Updated: 11/21/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Approximately 500 ducks - green-winged teal, mallard, pintail, wood ducks |
| Water levels | Currently, pool 1 is nearly full and is mostly open water. Pool 2 has water with thick vegetation - mostly smartweed. Pool 3B has water. Pool 4 is full. Pool 6 is nearly full and is mostly open water. Pool 7 has water. Pool 8 is full with disked openings in smartweed. There is some water north of pool 6. Pool 9 is full. |
| Hunting conditions | |
| Expected hunting success | |
| Comments | Teal Season (Low Plains Zone): 9/14/24 - 9/29/24 Youth, Veteran, Active Military Waterfowl (Low Plains Early Zone): 10/5/24 - 10/6/24 Regular Ducks (Low Plains Early Zone): 10/12/24 - 12/8/24 and 12/21/24 -1/5/25 Daily check-in and harvest reporting is required Check-in/Check-out on The Web
Check-in/Check-out on The App
Only non-toxic shot is allowed for all shotgun hunting at Texas Lake Wildlife Area. |