Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Area

Area News
Benedictine Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report
Brochures
Benedictine Bottoms Alert

Only Non-Toxic shot allowed on Benedictine Bottoms wildlife area.

Hunters are required to check-in / check-out using the GoOutdoorsKS app. (https://ksoutdoors.com/License-Permits/KDWP-Mobile-Apps/GoOutdoorsKS-Mobile-App) A profile will be required to check in/out. 

Dove hunting on this area closes September 30th

 

 

The area is a 2,112 acre wildlife area in the flood plain of the Missouri River. The river borders the area on the south and east. This site is managed for 3 habitat types that existed in the area before development, timber, native grass and wetlands. During construction more than 175,000 trees were planted, 550 acres of native grass were planted and 450 acres of wetlands were developed.

Construction on the area started with tree planting consisted of a variety of hardwoods and shrubs. These varieties will provide mast as well as escape and winter cover for many wildlife. Though most of the hardwood trees are still small many Cottonwood trees are mixed in and are doing quite well.

The grasslands were created from a mixture of big bluestem, Indian, eastern gamagrass and switch grasses along with wildflowers and legumes. Most of the grasslands have done very well and is providing valuable nesting and escape cover as well as a source of food.

The 450 acres of wetlands were built using low-profile earthen berms and using the natural contour of the land. Three well and distribution pipe provide water to approximately 45 acres. Water control structures were placed on the wetlands to allow for control of water depth.

Currently the area has a great variety of wildlife. Many species of song birds use the area and can be seen throughout the year. Many water birds also use the wetlands including shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl.

Many game species are common to the area. Good numbers of deer stay on the area with several large bucks seen every year. A large population of pheasant are found on the area and is a favorite of the locals. Good numbers of quail and rabbits can also be found.

County/Counties:

Manager: Jesse Morland

Phone: (913) 426-4153

Asst Manager: Thad Eylar 

Phone: (913) 426-4304

Area News - Updated: 09/10/2020

Area News

After the prolonged 2019 spring and summer flooding, the Benedictine Bottoms has rebounded back with some of the best vegetation and habitat seen since the 2011 flood. Annual smart weed, barnyard grass, sunflowers, and fox-tail flourish. Quail and pheasant numbers on the area seem to be good, several covey's have been spotted, although pheasant number's seem to be less than before the 2019 flood. The deer population has not been affected and a youth hunter harvested a very impressive 16 point whitetail buck during September youth season. The vegetation in the wetlands is ideal for waterfowl, and we have started pumping for Teal season. Expectations are high for a great waterfowl season.

The area is open in the month of September only to hunting for the dove and teal seasons. Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting. All other hunting on the wildlife area is regulated through a drawing in the department's special hunts program. Sign up for Special Hunts is online at the Kansas Department of Wildlife,Parks, and Tourism website or you can click this link. Deadline for application is September 28th for November-February hunts. https://programs.ksoutdoors.com/Programs/Special-Hunt
General Information
County/Counties:

Benedictine Bottoms WA (PDF 602.78 kB)

Manager: Jesse Morland

Phone: (913) 426-4153

Asst Manager: Thad Eylar 

Phone: (913) 426-4304


Special Regulations
  • The area is open to the public from April 1 through September 30. From October 1 Through March 31 an access/hunting permit is required. These permit are by computer draw only. Applications period will start in July and will be accepted on-line only at http://www.ksoutdoors.com, look for "Special Hunts"
  • Off road vehicle, ATV and horse use is prohibited.
  • No alcohol or cereal malt beverages of any kind are allowed on the area.
  • non-toxic shot required for all shotgun hunting
  • No Turkey hunting permits are being issued at the time for the Benedictine Bottoms. 

Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.

History

The US Army Corps of Engineers purchased the area as a Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project in 1993 and 1994. This area was purchased under authorization of Congress through the Mitigation Project in Section 334(a) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986. The 2,112 acre Benedictine Bottoms was then leased to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for management in 1999 after development.

Benedictine Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report - 12/26/2023
Waterfowl numbers Mallard Migration Rank:  1 (Estimate of potential mallard numbers. 1=lowest, 10=highest) Some Teal are on the Wildlife Area 
Water level

A map of our wetlands is now available under the Wetland Map tab to the right.

The wetlands have great habitat such as, Giant Foxtail, Annual Smartweed, Barnyard grass, and sunflowers. We also have some Milo and millets planted in the wetlands.

We are currently pumping the large wetland complex southwest of the shop, the west smaller wetland and the refuge marsh.

Refuge (NOT open to hunting)

October 1 through March 31 the area can only be accessed with a special permit obtained through a drawing. Look for "Special Hunts" on our home page under "HUNTING".

Hunting conditions  Native vegetation such as annual smart weeds, barnyard grass, foxtail, and sunflowers are the most common vegetation.   
Expected hunting success Waterfowl are moving into the area with colder temperatures. Refuge is holding at least a few hundred as of 12-26-23. 
Comments Cooler temperatures should move more birds into the area.
Dove Fields
Wetland Map