Jeffrey Energy Center Wildlife Area
The property surrounding Jeffrey Energy Center has been divided into three management units. These units have been developed to better manage the resource as well as the constituents utilizing the area. The following is a quick review of each unit:
UNIT #1: Located on the west side of Lost Creek Road and functions as any other public wildlife area managed by Kansas Departments of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. This unit is open to the public year-round and has no restrictions beyond what is set by Kansas hunting, fishing and public lands regulations. This area offers some excellent hunting opportunities. Individuals utilizing the area, especially those hunting with the use of a dog, should be aware that the Unit #1 is OPEN TO TRAPPING. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be able to notice the signs of a trapper as well as be familiar with how common traps work. There are a few ponds dotting the landscape of Unit #1 and are open to fishing. These ponds have been managed by KDWPT and provide some excellent angling. In recent years ice fishing has increased in popularity and has produced many full stringers!
UNIT #2: This area is located on the east side of Lost Creek Road. Unit #2 is restricted to access by written permission only. Anyone wanting to hunt or fish in Unit#2 must check in at the Guard House located at the main gate of Jeffrey Energy Center to obtain their written permission. The three most popular activities inside Unit #2 are deer hunting, waterfowl hunting and fishing. Waterfowl hunting is restricted to AUX. Lake. Make-Up Lake is CLOSED to waterfowl hunting. Boats are not allowed on AUX. Lake during waterfowl season. AUX. Lake has gained a reputation as one of the most popular places in Kansas to hunt light geese. It is not uncommon to have 75,000 or more light geese roosting on AUX Lake! Fishing is allowed on AUX. Lake as well as Make-Up Lake. Angler access to AUX. Lake is closed starting the first day of duck season and remains closed to fishing until March 15th. Make-Up Lake is open year-round to fishing, but is closed to ice fishing. Check the information kiosk’s located near the boat ramps for any special regulations. Deer hunting in Unit #2 is restricted to muzzleloader and archery equipment only. The area is closed to the general public for deer hunting during the open rifle season to allow for special youth hunts. Trapping and the taking of furbearer or coyote is NOT allowed in Unit #2. Vehicles are restricted to maintained roads and posted parking areas only.
UNIT #3: This unit is managed as a refuge area that is closed to all hunting activities unless otherwise permitted by KDWPT. Unit #3 is closed to all activities year-round. This area is located on the northeast side of the property and includes the power plant and acres surrounding it.
Area News
AREA CLOSED TO WATERFOWL HUNTING DUE TO ALGAL BLOOM
JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER HUNTING
2022-2023 Season
Hunters are allowed access to Unit 2 Wildlife Area (2) hours before sunrise.
Limits, firearm and shot requirements are the same as state regulations except where noted below.
Centerfire rifle and handgun hunting is NOT allowed at any time.
Aux Lake Use: Aux Lake will be open for fishing and boats throughOctober 24, 2022.It will be closed to boats
throughMarch 15, 2023,and onMarch 16, 2023,it will be open to fishing boat access.
Hunting Access Parking: All hunters must check in with security prior to hunting, display a white flag on their vehicles, and check out with security immediately following their hunt. Six parking areas are available, and one must be chosen prior to the hunt, to leave your vehicle at.
Employee/Public: Youth and Disability: September 3 – September 11, 2022
Muzzleloader: September 12 – September 25, 2022
Archery hunting: September 12 – November 29, 2022, and
December 12 – 31, 2022
Extended Season (Antlerless Only) January 1 – 8, 2023
Slots: Seven (7) public; seven (7) Evergy employees at any time
Baiting: Baiting may be done adjacent to youth blinds by company personnel or KDWPT for the benefit of the youth hunts.No other bait or minerals are allowed.
Tree Stands: Stands left in place overnight are available for use by any hunter on a first-come basis.
Slots: Two (2) public; two (2) Evergy employees at any time
Spring 2022 PENDING Public Turkey hunting allowed after Special Youth Hunt is complete.
Employee/Public: Youth/Disability April 1 – April 11, 2023
Archery Only PENDING
Shotgun/Archery/Youth PENDING – May 31, 2023
Slots: Three (3) public; three (3) employees
Seasons: Teal: September 10 – 25, 2022
General Duck Youth: October 22 – 23, 2022
General Duck: October 29, 2022 – January 1, 2023, and January 21 – January 29, 2023
Canada Goose: October 29 – 30, 2022 and November 2, 2022- February 12, 2023
White–Fronted Geese: October 29, 2022 – January 1, 2023, and January 21 – February 12, 2023
Light Geese: October 29 – 30, 2022 and November 2, 2022- February 12, 2023
Light Geese Conservation order: February 13, 2023 - March 15, 2023(Different from statewide season)
Slots: Twelve(12) hunters; four (4) Evergy employees
No boats are allowed on Aux. Lake from October 24, 2022 – March 15, 2023.
DOVE(Mourning, White-Winged, Eurasian Collared, and Ringed Turtle doves)(Non-Toxic Shot Only)
Special Youth Hunt: September 1 – September 5, 2022.All hunters will be guided by an Evergy employee.
Season: September 6 – November 29, 2022
Slots: Eight (8) public; eight (8) Evergy employees
GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN
Season: September 15, 2022 – January 31, 2023
Slots: Eight (8) public; eight (8) Evergy employees
Youth Season: November 5 – 6, 2022
Regular Season: November 12, 2022 – January 31, 2023
Slots: Eight (8) public; eight (8) Evergy employees
Season: Year round
Slots: Six (6) public; six (6) Evergy employees
Season: June 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023
Slots: Combined with rabbit slots
Season: July 1 – October 31, 2022
Slots: Combined with rabbit slots
Season: November 10, 2022 – March 10, 2023
Slots: Combined with rabbit slots
Season: January 9 – February 15, 2023
Slots: Combined with rabbit slots
Season: January 9 – March 31, 2023
Slots: Combined with rabbit slots
Hunting Type Limit Employee and Public
Deer 7 employees/7 public
Turkey Fall 2 employees/2 public
Turkey Spring 3 employees/3 public
Dove 8 employees/8 public
Quail/Pheasant 8 employees/8 public
Rabbit/Squirrel/Bullfrog/Crow/Furbearer/Coyote 6 employees/6 public
Fishing per Lake 15 employees/15 public
Management Area 1:
- No special regulation in effect
Management Area 2:
- Shotgun and muzzleloader firearms only
- Trapping prohibited
- Permanent tree stands prohibited
- Coyote and furbearer hunting is prohibited
- Ice fishing is prohibited
- Fishing and boating at AUX. Lake is CLOSED from the first day of duck season to March 15th.
- Boating is restricted to angling only. No pleasure boating.
Management Area 3:
- Refuge Area - Public access is prohibited
Special Note: Jeffrey Energy Center is subject to closing if the National Security Level is raised. It is always a good idea to call the guard house before making any long trips to hunt or fish on Unit #2. The number for the guard house is (785) 456-6149. This phone is answered 24 hours a day.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
In 1987, Western Resouces Energy (Westar Energy today) company formed a joint venture with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to assist in the management of their property.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 39.26446 -96.13193
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 39.24786 -96.15343
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- Type of Facility: Information center
- Location of Facility: 39.29286 -96.17521
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- Type of Facility: Information center
- Location of Facility: 39.28229 -96.18211
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- Type of Facility: Information center
- Location of Facility: 39.27664 -96.20303
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- Type of Facility: Information center
- Location of Facility: 39.27499 -96.18276
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- Type of Facility: Information center
- Location of Facility: 39.27052 -96.17538
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Waterfowl numbers | Ducks: Area is open to waterfowl hunting 12/7/2022. Mix of less than 200 ducks on area including mallard and goldeneye Geese: Area is open to waterfowl hunting 12/7/2022. 200,000 plus snow geese on the area. Few Canada geese, less than 200. |
Water level | Normal |
Hunting conditions | Poor-fair |
Expected hunting success | Poor-fair |
Comments | Make-up Lake is closed to waterfowl hunting during waterfowl season. Boats are not allowed on Auxillary lake during waterfowl season. Individuals wishing to hunt Unit #2 of the wildlife area must enter through the main gate and sign in at the guard house. Be sure to have a photo I.D. with you when checking in. Hunters are required to drive maintained roads only. A map will be provided to all hunters showing open roads as well as parking areas. Vehicles are allowed to park in parking areas only. |