| Waterfowl numbers | Bird numbers are fluctuating daily with the ice and pressure. We have been seeing pressure return as the ice leaves and birds start utilizing the area again, forcing the birds elsewhere. Remember the early zone duck season closes for the split starting at sunset on Sunday December 8 and will open back up on December 21. REMEMBER: Hunters are REQUIRED to check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. |
| Water levels | The area was 100% ice covered this morning, but over half way open by the late afternoon. Nights in the teens are making pretty thick ice. Water levels have slightly increased and will not increase more unless we receive more moisture. We are unable to move water into Marsh Creek Marsh or pump from Marsh Creek Marsh into Buffalo Creek Marsh due to water right restrictions. Puddler Marsh: Dry. Gamekeeper Marsh: Sheet water only. Remember, the refuge is now closed; Gun Club West Marsh: Around half full; avg. depth of 12" to 18" with very shallow water around the margins Gun Club East: Slightly higher in elevation than Gun Club West, avg. depth of 14" to 20" with sheet water around the margins. Greenwing Marsh; Huntable water with areas that were mowed prior to flooding, but has dropped significantly. Marsh Creek Marsh: Dry due to water right restrictions Buffalo Creek Marshes: Dry due to water right restrictions Pintail Marsh: Dry |
| Hunting conditions | Excellent moist soil production and abundant flooded vegetation. Gun Club West has very high abundance of cattails that have been sprayed. Expect those to brown up and break down throughout the fall. Remember: NO ATV's are allowed on department lands and roads. THIS INCLUDES ARGO'S AND E-BIKES There is a no trash policy: If you take it in with you, please bring it out. This includes spent shotgun shells. THIS REGULATION WILL BE ENFORCED. ALL vehicles must remain on designated roads and parking areas. REFUGE IS CLOSED
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| Expected hunting success | Poor. Hunting pressure and ice have moved the birds to a nocturnal pattern we have been seeing over the last several years. Especially with less huntable area than normal. Hunters have averaged just over two bird per hunter in the last week. |
| Comments | We had issues last season with reckless boating in the early morning hours. Please remember to be cautious while running the boat channels, as there is little to no room for more than one boat at a time. We have had several near collisions and mishaps. Also remember, ALL boating regulations will be enforced. Navigation lights (red and green bow lights along with an all around white stern light, light bars and headlamps do not qualify), life jackets, passenger capacities and boat registrations (even lay-out boats with a motor) ARE required. We have also had issues with hunters playing loud music while motoring out and setting up. Please remember to be courteous of other hunters on the area. Not everyone wants to hear it. The MANDATORY electronic check system can be found on the GoOutdoorsKS app. or by following the link below and using your licensing login credentials.
Waterfowl Seasons Low Plains Early Duck Season (First Segment): 10/12/24 - 12/8/24 Low Plains Early Duck Season (Second Segment): 12/21/24 - 1/5/25 Canada Geese: 10/26/24 - 10/27/24 and 11/6/24 - 2/16/25 White-Fronted Geese: 10/26/24 - 12/26/24 and 1/25/25 - 2/16/25 Light Geese: 10/26/24 - 10/27/24 and 11/6/24 - 2/16/25 Light Geese Conservation Order: 2/17/25 - 4/30/25 Hunters are REQUIRED to check in AND OUT using the electronic permitting system. Hunters need to check-in / check-out by going to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Hunters need to make sure they have all the appropriate licenses and stamps for hunting waterfowl. The following are required: Kansas hunting license State waterfowl stamp Federal waterfowl stamp Kansas Harvest Information Program Stamp (HIP) RINGNECK MARSH IS DESIGNATED FOR YOUTH AND MENTORS ONLY. EACH HUNTER 16 YEARS AND OLDER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ONE OR MORE YOUTH UNDER 16 YEARS OLD. Marsh Creek Marsh and the West Gamekeeper Marsh is for non-gasoline powered boats or paddle-in / Walk-in only, this includes electric motor boats and boats with no motors. Gasoline engines are prohibited. Buffalo Creek & Pintail Marshes are for non-motorized boats and walk-in hunting only. HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :
THE REFUGE IS CLOSED Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on! |
