Neosho Wildlife Area
Located on the broad, flat flood plain below the junction of Flat Rock Creek and the Neosho River, the wildlife area is a man-made marsh developed by the Department in 1960. The area covers 3,246 acres. The five largest pools on the area represent 1,675 acres of the 1,787 of intensively managed wetlands. There are sixteen independently managed wetlands throughout the area. The area was primarily designed, and is managed to furnish a resting and feeding place for migratory waterfowl.
Three of the sixteen pools are managed in a moist soil environment through a water level manipulation plan. Four green tree marshes ranging in size from five to fifteen acres offer a different type of hunting opportunity for the sportsman using the area. Area personnel plant an average of 400 acres of corn, milo, buckwheat or millet in the hunting pools. The grain is left in the field and inundated in the fall.
The 800-acre refuge pool is closed to all hunting, foot and vehicle traffic during the waterfowl season. The water level of this pool fluctuates naturally throughout the seasons and provides good aquatic habitat for waterfowl. Fishing is allowed from April 1 until August 31. Good fishing can be found at times in the Neosho River, Flat Rock Creek and Brogan Creek, existing in part on the wildlife area.
Manager: Monte Manbeck
Assistant Manager: Travis Ratliff
Phone: (620)-449-2539
From St. Paul travel east on Highway 47 2 miles to Wallace Rd.; turn south and travel approximately 1.25 miles. Office on west side of road
Area News
Neosho Wildlife Area
This years growing season was very similar to last year. Extreme drought persists throughout this area. We have missed most of the bigger rains here at Neosho, with storms missing the area by about 10 miles to the south or the east. Beginning in the spring we started missing our normal early growing season rains leaving the refuge very low form last years draw down. We have held water all spring and summer and just recently finished pumping for a week into the refuge. It currently sits a few inches higher than where we finished last season, but still over 2 foot below full pool. For reference without some help from rainfall and runoff it would take at least 60 days, 24 hours a day to fill the refuge pumping at the current rates we are able to pump.
No row crops were planted in the wetland pools with anticipation of the drought persisting and budgetary constraints. We got a phenomenal moist soil response with highly desirable smart weeds and wild millets. Unfortunately we turned extremely hot and dry in May and June and some of our vegetation started showing drought stress in late June and early July. The pump was turned on July 9th and ran into the hunting pools the remainder of the month until we finally got some help from mother nature when we received 4.5" of rain over a weekend in the early part of August. The pump was shut down as we had put as much water in the wetlands that we could without hurting the plants. The moist soil vegetation responded great with tremendous seed production and growth. For the month of August, after the pump was shut off, every pool was losing around 2" per week to evaporation and plant uptake. The pump was started back up last week (September 15th) with most of the water going into the refuge. After conversations with Kansas Division of Water Resources (DWR) we are expecting protection orders to be sent out Friday September 22 for the entire Neosho Basin (Council Grove to the state line); meaning we will be shutting pumping efforts down no later than the morning of Wednesday September 27th and there will be no further pumping until significant rainfall occurs (6-10" of rainfall = significant) north of the wildlife area or DWR grants permission. The Neosho River comes out of John Redmond Reservoir, John Redmond is dropping fast and is currently over 2 feet lower than it was all of last year. Water levels are currently better in the hunting pools and refuge than this time last year but unfortunately it may be all we have for the season. The vegetation looks very promising for a great duck season but if we do not get some help from Mother Nature it may be a very long, tough duck season due to lack of water.
We have already had a couple of issues with drones this year. They are not allowed on public land in Kansas.
DAILY HUNT PERMIT:
Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials.
NO ACCESS (FOOT, BOAT, ETC.) into the wetlands BEFORE 5:00AM, and MUST be out of the wetlands within an HOUR AFTER SUNSET (LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS).
Other regulations to keep in mind are parking in designated parking areas ONLY, boats must operate at no wake speeds in the boating canals, and watercraft are not permitted within the hunting pools until the day of waterfowl season at 5:00am. Also Pools 4A and 4B are open to NON-MOTORIZED boats only (Note: An electric trolling motor is a motor and will not be allowed).
South Unit
Boards have been in structures since mid May, there has been no run off or any water within the wetlands from vertical rainfall. We will have to receive very significant rainfall in order to pump the South Unit, our water right is a "Junior" water right. The river will have to have significant flow for several weeks to be able to pump any water for 2023.
Pool 9 Construction -Construction of a new 35 acre wetland is complete. This wetland will be located just east of the "Tin Barn" and south of 47 Hwy. Parking WILL NOT be allowed along Hwy 47. Parking will be allowed at the "tin barn" or along the road going to the "tin barn". This wetland will rely heavily on rainfall BUT we will be able to supplemental pump from Brogan creek when conditions allow
Hunting Pool Habitat 2023-2024
| Pool | Acres | Beans | Corn | Millet mix | Moist Soil | Greentree | Buckwheat |
| 1 | 350 | 60 | 50 | 15 | 160 | 65 | 0 |
| 2A | 155 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 155 | 30 | 0 |
| 2B | 190 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 155 | 30 | 0 |
| 4A | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| 4B | 65 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 30 | 20 | 0 |
| 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | 40 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| South Unit | 100 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 40 | 0 |
As always, if you have questions please feel free to call the office at 620-449-2539. We are always happy to take your calls and please keep in mind that this is a field office, so if we do not answer please leave a message and we will get back in touch with you as soon as we can.
- Pool 8 is restricted to waterfowl hunters accompanied by a youth hunter, 16 years of age or less on weekends and holidays. The adults may hunt with the youth hunter.
- Non-toxic shot is required for all hunting.
- All hunters must obtain a free daily hunting permit utilizing the new "GoOutdoors KS" app. prior to the hunt and checkout after the hunt is completed.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
In 1959, the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission purchased the initial 2,975.5 acres. In 1988 an additional 270 acres were purchased through a fifty percent cost share agreement with Ducks Unlimited Inc. The area was first opened to waterfowl hunting in the fall of 1962.
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| Waterfowl numbers | Hunters can check in here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. Check-in / check-out is required for all hunters! NO ENTRY (by foot, boat, etc) INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER SUNSET (LEGAL SHOOTING TIME). Duck species present on area consist of Wood Ducks, Blue and Green Winged Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Pintail and a mix of divers. There are also Canada, White-fronted and Snow Geese utilizing the area. |
| Water level | The SE part of the state is still in need of some rain. Pool elevations are normal or slightly above average and staff will continue to stage up throughout the hunting season. Flood irrigation began in the hunting pools on July 13th and finished up August 2. This was done to help preserve habitat, promote seed production, invertebrate production and keep moist soil plants from burning up. Pump is on and off depending on weather conditions and meeting stage up goals for each pool Please see area news for habitat conditions Boats are NOT required to hunt Neosho. Walk-in hunting is readily available with very few areas over knee deep. Hunters should take caution during the regular waterfowl season wading the boat lane (south end) in Pool 1 (tractor roads/foot crossings are in place); the very east side of 2A, and the oxbow area of 2B. We have been losing .75" of water a week in all pools due to evaporation and transpiration. Looking at the 10 day forecast there is no rain in the forecast but lower temps will help with evaporation loss. . Hunters should expect shallow water levels for this waterfowl season. Boat accessibility including mud motors will be limited in hunting pools, ditches or boating lanes will have adequate water, but hunters should expect to have to push their boat (this includes boats with mudmotors!) or walk outside of the boat lane. Average pool depths are between 8 and 14". We do not have aquatic equipment to assist nor will we be able to assist if boats get stuck, NO ONE likes to listen to a stuck boat while they are trying to hunt. Use extreme caution when traveling outside of the ditches. Pool 1- 250 Acres Pool 2A- 115 Acres Pool 2B- 165 acres Pool 3 (Refuge)- 475 acres Pool 4A- 90 Acres Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only Pool 4B- 50 Acres Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only Pool 5- (Lower Pool- Dry Middle Pool- Dry Upper Pool- Dry ) Pool 6- Dry Pool 7- Dry Pool 8- 20 Acres Please remember that this pool is youth/mentor ONLY on weekends and holidays. Pool 9- Dry South Unit- Dry
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| Hunting conditions | SE Zone waterfowl season Nov. 11th to Jan. 7th and Jan. 13th to 28th Habitat is looks extremely good, seed production was high and the vegetation is fairly tall and rank, so what water we have will be hard to see until vegetation begins to break down. Pool elevations are good with lots of 12"water and we will continue to stage up through the hunting season. Please see the area news page for a breakdown of habitat types within each pool.
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| Expected hunting success | SE ZONE REGULAR SEASON Nov. 11th to Jan. 7th and Jan. 13th to Jan. 28th Fair to good Please be respectful of other hunters and allow space between hunting parties. We want to thank everyone for the continued cooperation with utilizing our new electronic check-in/out system. The agency continues to work diligently on improving the new system and are confident it will be working for the upcoming waterfowl season. Area staff look at and manipulate this data in many different ways to make management decisions for upcoming years and to also look at what management strategies worked during the hunting season. |
| Comments | ATTENTION: Federal waterfowl stamps purchased online are only valid for 45 days after purchase. After 45 days of being purchased the actual stamp must be in your possession, signed across the face of the stamp, while hunting! Reminder: Motorized watercraft are prohibited on the wildlife area until the day season opens. (5:00am, November 5,2022 for regular duck season.) DAILY REGULATION: NO ENTRY INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER LEGAL SHOOTING TIME. DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PUBLIC LAND IN KANSAS All Boating regulations are enforced! (Lifejackets must be out and accessible, navigation lights, etc.) All boats must operate at no wake speeds within boating canals (signs are posted) No shooting is allowed from interior dikes Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hr before sunrise to SUNSET! Required Licenses/stamps: Hunting License, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, Kansas State Stamp, and Kansas H.I.P. Stamp. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required licenses/stamps. You MUST also check in and check out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. Waterfowl hunting in Pool 8 is restricted to youth hunters and their mentor on weekends and holidays. There must be at least one youth per adult if the adult is hunting. (You can't have 5 adults and one youth). This applies during the Youth and Veterans season, this pool is for youth only during youth and veterans season, unless the veteran is taking a youth hunting. Atv's of any kind are not allowed on the area (side by sides, utv's, amphibious vehicles, "argos"; this includes electric bicycles) Campgrounds on the area are Primitive campground. (No electric, No water) Take your trash with you!! Please remember to fill out the permit with accurate information. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE AREA. FILL OUT ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL HARVEST EFFORTS, each individual hunter needs to check in/out and report his/her harvest totals. i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL. |