Wilson Wildlife Area
Picture taken 30 July 2010; 15 days post burn
FHSU Shooting Sports team members instruct a young man how to properly shoulder a shotgun.
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.
Area Manager: Scott Thomasson
A Google Earth map of the fields can be found here.
There will be 2 managed dove fields at Wilson Wildlife Area in 2021. Both fields are planted to sunflowers. Portions of the fields will be mowed prior to dove opener.
#1 Decker Road Dove Field: Youth and Youth/Mentor Only September 1 – September 30; This field is located on the North side of the Saline River accessible from Decker Road. Head West from 192nd Street for 0.7 miles on Decker Road. Park at the red gate and walk south 1/8 mi. Both the youth and mentor may hunt (17 years and younger and accompanying mentor) for the month of September (Sept. 1 – 30).
#2 Browns Canyon Dove Field: Open to all hunters Sept 1; This field is located on the South side of Wilson Lake, accessible from Reservoir Road. It is approximately 4.5 miles East of the intersection of 192nd Street and Land Road. Travel East from 192nd on Land Road for 2.5 miles, then South on Reservoir Road for 0.5 miles. At the T-intersection continue East on Reservoir Road for 1.8 miles and the field will be on South side of the road. This field is open to all hunters.
Below are maps of the entire Wilson Wildlife Area Refuge.
This Google earth file is to be used for general reference only. Signs will mark the actual boundary. Use the posted signs as the true boundary.
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.
- 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.
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.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 38.936369 -98.629865
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 38.961948 -98.723434
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Information Center
- Location of Facility: 39.973018 -98.723434
- Click for more information
| Waterfowl numbers | 5,000+ geese. Combination of Canada's, Snow's, and Greater-White Fronts all present. 3,000+ ducks. Mostly Redheads, Pintails, and Teal present with Mallards, Shovelers, and diving ducks scattered throughout. |
| Water level | 1515.47 ft and steady; lake is 1/2 foot low. (Conservation pool is 1516.0 ft) |
| Hunting conditions | Cedar Creek and Elm Creek boat ramp both open Geese are concentrating on agriculture fields within the Wildlife Area. The majority of the lake is ice free, with sections still froze on the East side. |
| Expected hunting success | fair |
| Comments | Duck season is now closed. Regular goose season is now closed. Spring Conservation season remains open thru 04/30 Low Plains Late: October 31-January 3; January 23-31, 2020 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. |