Wilson Wildlife Area

Area News
Facilities
Wilson  Waterfowl Report
Wilson Gallery
Brochures
Wilson Wildlife Area Calendar
Wilson Reservoir Fishing Information
Wilson State Park

Click on the "News" or "General Information" links above for 2021 Dove Field information, refuge dates, contact info, and other current events.

ATTENTION: The refuge at Wilson Wildlife Area will be closed to all activities Sept 1 - Jan 31 except by special permit.

Click HERE for Wilson Lake brochure map

Click on "News" link above for Wilson Wildlife Area refuge boundary maps

Wilson Wildlife Area is located in the scenic Smoky Hills of northcentral Kansas and is on the upper end of 9,000 acre Wilson Reservoir. The 8,069 acre public hunting area is made up of 5,000 acres of rugged rolling hills of native prairie, approximately 2,000 acres of cropland, and 1,000 acres of riparian timber along the Saline River, Cedar Creek, Turkey Creek, and Elm Creek.

Area management focuses on providing a quality experience for visitors, and managing wildlife and wildlife habitats for optimum hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities. Pheasant, quail, turkey, dove, rabbit, whitetail deer, waterfowl, furbearers and many songbirds and non-game wildlife inhabit or pass through and use the area.

The area has a waterfowl refuge that was established in 1996. Hunting opportunities are fair for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and upland birds. The area receives heavy hunting pressure during season openers and can provide less crowded conditions later in the hunting seasons.

Information shelters on the area and the Wilson Area Office have more information available.

Address:
#3 State Park Road Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
Bunker Hill,KS   
County/Counties:

Area Manager: Scott Thomasson

Wilson Wildlife Area
Area News - Updated: 08/26/2022
2022 Dove Fields

There will be 2 managed dove fields at Wilson Wildlife Area in 2022. Both fields are planted to sunflowers. Portions of the fields will be mowed prior to dove opener. 

Field 1: Open to All Hunters – Sunflowers (11 ac)

This field is located on the South side of Mellard Rd approx. ¼ mi west of 193rd Rd. Field is planted to sunflowers.  Strips will be mowed in sunflowers.  Sunflower production is poor to fair.

Field 2: Open to all hunters – Sunflowers (6 ac)

From intersection of Mellard Rd and 193rd Rd, go south 1.5 miles and park along road.  Field is located east of road.  Strips will be mowed in sunflowers.  Sunflower production is good.  


Below are maps of the entire Wilson Wildlife Area Refuge.

Wilson Wildlife Area Wildlife Refuge Boundary Map (PDF - 4.80 MB)

The refuge is closed to all access September 1 through January 31 except by special permit only.  This map is to be used for general reference only. Signs will mark the actual refuge boundary. Use the posted signs as the true boundary.

General Information
Address:
#3 State Park Road Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
 
Bunker Hill, KS   
County/Counties:

Area Manager: Scott Thomasson

Wilson Wildlife Area

Special Regulations
  • Camping, fires, and off road vehicle use are not allowed on the area.
  • No Cliff jumping

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

History

The 8,069 acre Wilson Wildlife Area was made available to the Kansas Forestry Fish and Game Commission under the terms of a license with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1965.

Wilson Facilities
Elm Creek Boat Ramp
  • Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
  • Location of Facility: 38.936369 -98.629865
  • Click for more information

    This Boat ramp is used for small watercraft and is not usable when lake is 5 feet low.

    Located 6 miles north of Bunker Hill.


Cedar Creek Boat Ramp

Area Maintenance Building
  • Type of Facility: Information Center
  • Location of Facility: 39.973018 -98.723434
  • Click for more information

    Field office and equipment storage.

    Located 6 miles north of Bunker Hill.


Wilson Wildlife Area Calendar

    Wilson Waterfowl Report - 03/09/2023
    Waterfowl numbers Survey ran on 3/9; ~ Canada Geese - 320, Snows - 70; Mallards - 4060, Wigeon - 2275, Pintail - 4050 , Goldeneye - 65, Bufflehead - 12, Canvasback - 20, Mergansers - 55; Unknown - 50; Sandhill Cranes - 550
       
    Water level 1514.62 ft; (Conservation pool is 1516.0 ft)
    Hunting conditions  
    Expected hunting success  
    Comments

    Waterfowl Seasons: 

    DUCKS, LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE

    • Season: 10/29/2022 - 01/01/2023 and 01/21/2023 - 01/29/2023
    • Area open: Late Zone (see map)
    • Daily bag limit: 6 (Limit Info)
    • Possession limit: Three times the daily limit
    • Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp

    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.

    CANADA GEESE

    • Season: 10/29/2022 - 10/30/2022 and 11/02/2022 - 02/12/2023
    • Area open: Statewide
    • Daily bag limit: 6 (including Brant)
    • Possession limit: 18
    • Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp

    WHITE-FRONTED GEESE

    • Season: 10/29/2022 - 01/01/2023 and 01/21/2023 - 02/12/2023
    • Area open: Statewide
    • Daily bag limit: 2
    • Possession limit: 6
    • Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp

    LIGHT GEESE

    • Season: 10/29/2022 - 10/30/2022 and 11/02/2022 - 02/12/2023
    • Area open: Statewide
    • Daily bag limit: 50
    • Possession limit: No limit
    • Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp

    Refuges are closed Sept 1-Jan 31 to all access except by special permit.

    Zebra mussels are in Wilson Lake, so be sure to drain/dry/clean boats and equipment before moving to other areas.

    Click HERE for Duck Season, Regulation, and Research information.

    Click HERE for hunting regulations in Lucas Park, Minooka Park, and Sylvan Park.