McPherson Valley Wetlands Wildlife Area
Currently the area holds 51 independently managed wetland pools, two refuges that include approximately 650 total acres and approximately 350 acres of water when full, and provides a total of approximately 1,750 surface acres of water when full for migrating waterfowl. The area is managed intensively for waterfowl, but also provides good opportunity for pheasant, quail, and dove hunting. The spring migration is a spectacular sight for viewing migratory birds in full plumage. Many species common to the central flyway can be found at the wetlands during this time. Most notably, for the first time in 100 years, whooping cranes visited the area in 1995. In the spring of 2016, 17 whooping cranes were observed in the Big Basin marshes.
Manager: Jason K. Black; (620) 241-7669; jason.k.black@ks.gov
Due to low attendance at our annual public informational meetings, area staff is in the process of producing a bi-annual newsletter. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter CLICK HERE. The newsletter will include information about forecasted fall flights, upcoming projects, special hunting or other opportunities, harvest totals, and other information hunters / users need to know if planning a trip to the area. The newsletter will be distributed electronically, so you may "catch up" on area news at your leisure.
McPherson Valley Wetlands Brochure/Map
Location: McPherson Valley Wetlands are situated in three main units, the Big Basin Marshes, Chain of Lakes, and Little Sinkhole Marshes. The units start approximately 3.5 miles northwest of McPherson and expand to approximately 1 mile south and 1 mile east of Inman. The McPherson Valley Wetlands Complex lies within a 50-mile radius of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. McPherson Valley Wetlands will offer a hunting alternative and supplemental habitat when water availability is limited due to drought.
Area News
UPDATE: 29 August 2024
All hunters are required to check in/out when hunting. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials to check in and out, and report your harvest.
There are three new regulations in effect at McPherson Valley Wetlands: 1) The Big Basin Marshes have been designated as "youth only" during the 2-day youth and military waterfowl weekend, 2) No motorized boats are allowed on the property, and 3) Centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited.
Dove Fields:
There are no managed dove fields at McPherson Valley Wetlands for the 2024 - 2025 season. Sunflowers will be back in the agriculture rotation for the 2025 - 2026 season. The location and acreage will be determined based upon growing conditions in spring of 2025.
Water:
The wetlands have received some beneficial rainfall this summer; however, we are a long way from being out of the drought. Scouting will be critical in locating huntable water, as the handful of wetlands with water are scattered across all three units of the property.
For additional information please contact the McPherson Valley Wetlands office at (620) 241-7669.
Newsletter:
Staff at the McPherson Valley Wetlands will be producing a newsletter that will include season results, upcoming projects, special opportunities, fall flights, and other information that hunters / users may need to know if planning to visit the area. The newsletter will be produced bi-annually, prior to hunting season (mid August to mid September) and following waterfowl season (mid March to mid April). This document will be distributed electronically, and if you are interested in getting on the mailing list Click here.
The newsletter is an attempt to get information to more of our constituents since attendance at our public information meetings has been very low.
Wildlife Violations:
In the past, area staff has been informed of regulation violations during the hunting season. Even though KDWPT Law Enforcement staff are routinely at the wetlands, they can't be everywhere all the time. If you witness a violation, please call the McPherson County Game Warden, Operation Game Thief, or the McPherson Valley Wetlands area office and leave a description of the violation including the vehicle tag number if possible.
REFUGE AREAS:
THE NORTH AND SOUTH REFUGE AREAS IN THE BIG BASIN ARE OFF-LIMITS TO ALL ACTIVITIES, AND THIS INCLUDES DUCK HUNTING. THERE IS NO HUNTING OR PUBLIC ACCESS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED IN THE REFUGES!!
Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/check-in using your licensing login credentials.
Hunters must be aware of posted refuges, and stay out of these areas.
All hunters must use non-toxic shot for all species.
The entire McPherson Valley Wetlands Wildlife Area is now located in the Low Plains Early Waterfowl Zone. For exact season dates contact the area headquarters or CLICK HERE.
The Wetlands are open to the public year-round, and all areas, with the exception of posted refuges, may be entered on foot. Vehicles are allowed on maintained roads only.
Camping is not available but can be found only a few miles away in McPherson or Hutchinson.
Additionally, all statewide public land regulations, Secretary's orders, and posted notice regulations apply on the Wetlands.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Before their destruction by ditching, the wetlands of west central McPherson County comprised more than 9,000 surface acres of water in at least 52 separate wetlands, and were equal in importance to Cheyenne Bottoms. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) recognized the need to restore portions of this vital wetland complex and started buying land for development in 1989. To date, the area is 4,455 acres. KDWPT is currently interested in acquiring land from willing sellers when funding exists. Several tracts of land have recently been acquired through a North American Wetland Conservation grant. Development has been completed on these tracts, and will provide additional acreage and opportunity for hunting and wildlife viewing. KDWPT has set a goal to eventually acquire and restore 5,000 acres of this vital wetland complex.
| Waterfowl numbers | ATTENTION: All hunters MUST check-in / check-out when hunting. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials to check in and out. 22 October 2024: Waterfowl species observed this week include blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, mallards, shovelers, wood ducks, and pintails. The area has picked up a few new ducks but they are sticking in the refuge pretty tightly. The overall number for this time of year is still below average due to limited water and hot weather. See water level information below. All activities in the north and south refuges in the Big Basin are prohibited. |
| Current Information | Be aware of three new regulations in effect at McPherson Valley Wetlands: (1) The Big Basin has been designated as "youth only" during the youth and military waterfowl weekend, (2) the use of motorized boats is prohibited, and (3) centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited. |
| Water levels | The wetlands received some beneficial rainfall this summer; however, we are a long way from being out of drought conditions. Scouting will be critical in determining which wetlands have water, as the majority of the wetlands are still dry, and the few that have huntable water are scattered across all three units. Groundwater pumping efforts are currently suspended in the Big Basin and Little Sinkhole units. In the Basin, we have pumped 75% of our allotment. In the Sinkhole, we have pumped 50% of our allotment. Pumping operations will resume in approximately 10 - 14 days. Big Basin: Limited water in the wetlands that are open to public hunting, and very limited water in the south refuge. Chain of Lakes: This unit is almost completely dry. Be aware that the vast majority of Steel's Pond on the east boundary is privately owned. Little Sinkhole Marshes: Limited water. |
| Hunting conditions | We will continue to roller chop / manipulate vegetation to create hunting spots as the season moves forward. Waterfowl food production (native moist soil vegetation) has been exceptionally good across the area this year. The food is here, so if we get some good rains conditions will improve. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair, until we get abundant rainfall. Limited water and crowded conditions will negatively impact waterfowl numbers and hunter success at this point. |
| Comments | **ATTENTION: **THERE IS A "NO TRASH POLICY" IN EFFECT AT MCPHERSON VALLEY WETLANDS. PLEASE CARRY OUT WHATEVER YOU CARRY IN, INCLUDING EMPTY HULLS AND OTHER TRASH. PLEASE TRY TO LEAVE YOUR HUNTING SPOT AS CLEAN OR CLEANER THAN IT WAS WHEN YOU ARRIVED. THANKS!!! **REFUGE AREAS: THE SOUTH REFUGE AREA IN THE BIG BASIN IS OFF-LIMITS TO ALL ACTIVITIES ALL YEAR LONG, AND THIS INCLUDES DUCK HUNTING. THERE IS NO HUNTING OR PUBLIC ACCESS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED IN THE SOUTH REFUGE IN THE BIG BASIN!! THE NORTH REFUGE IN THE BIG BASIN IS A REFUGE-IN-TIME AND IS ONLY OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCESS FROM APRIL 1ST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH, THEN IT IS CLOSED TO ALL ACTIVITIES FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO MARCH 31ST. The Little Sinkhole/Farland Lake marsh unit is included in the EARLY low-plains duck zone (as is the rest of MPWL). All shotgun hunters at McPherson Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds. Throughout all units, please be mindful of farmers and big equipment operators needing to access and maintain roads. Park in designated parking areas when possible, and not on the roadsides. |