Perry Wildlife Area

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Perry State Park

Much of Perry Wildlife Area lies within the Perry Reservoir flood pool, thus flooding is not uncommon. The Delaware River bisects the area from north to south with several small creeks feeding it. The area has a diversity of habits with interspersion of Oak-Hickory woodlands, warm and cool season grasslands, man-made wetlands, and several acres of cropland.

In the mid 1970's, 11 marsh complexes were built. Two additional marshes were developed after 2000. These marshes provide about 1,000 acres of wetland habitats. The Kyle and West River marshes can be pumped from the Delaware River to provide habitat for migratory birds during dry years. All other wetlands depend on natural run off, thus water levels may vary from year to year.

Moist soils management is conducted on all marshes which uses water level fluctuations to manage for desirable wetland vegetation beneficial to migratory birds. Periodically, some marshes will be drained in order to conduct dike repairs and control invading woody vegetation and cattails. Management of upland habitats over the years has consisted of converting croplands and cool season grasses to native warm season grasses and forbs, planting of shrub plots, selective cutting of invading woody vegetation, and prescribed burning to stimulate native warm season grasses and forbs.

White-tailed deer and wild turkey are plentiful on the area. Waterfowl numbers vary depending on available habitat, but the area has supported large numbers during both the fall and spring migrations. Mourning dove numbers vary yearly depending on nesting conditions. Ring-necked pheasant can be found on the area with good numbers on the area. Bobwhite quail populations are good on the area, but a good dog is needed due to the dense vegetation. Squirrel and cottontail rabbit numbers are generally healthy and provide some of the most under utilized hunting opportunities on the area.

Non-game species are very plentiful on the area and provide some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities. A wide array of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians can be found on the area.

Fishing for catfish, white bass, and crappie in the Delaware River are also popular activities. Trapping which is allowed on the area, can be a very successful venture due to the wide array of furbearer habitats.

Special Features

  • Handicapped hunting area. Written permission required from manager.
  • Mentor/Youth hunting area designated for youth 16 years and younger accompanied by no more than one adult per youth.
  • Delaware River Boat Ramp located south of Valley Falls.
  • Perry W.A. is heavily used due to its proximity to major metropolitan areas. Opening days and weekends of all seasons are busiest.
Phone:
785-945-6615
Address:
7760 174th Street
Valley Falls,KS    66088
County/Counties:
Jefferson

Manager: Andrew Page

Phone: 785-945-6615

Area News - Updated: 08/04/2020

Six managed Dove fields are located on the Perry Wildlife Area totaling about 86 acres. ALL DOVE FIELDS ON PERRY WILDLIFE AREA ARE NON-TOXIC SHOT ONLY.All fields are sunflowers with the centers of the fields mowed out for hunters to sit around the perimeter of each field.  A field is located just South of the area office near 174th and Finney Rd to the East of Finney Rd. and totals 18.6 acres. The refuge Dove field is located North of 190th Rd. East of Swabville and totals 13.9 acres. The refuge Dove field and everything North of 190th Rd. will be closed to all hunting/access and will open for hunters on Saturday September 5th. There is a 6 acre field located in the refuge area, West of Harvey Rd. and is reserved for a special youth hunt on the morning of Saturday September 5th, this field opens to the public at 1:00 PM Saturday September 5th and is closed to all access/activities until that time. A field is located just south of the information kiosk on 190th Rd. East of Swabville and totals 20.9 acres. A field is located just Southeast of the intersection of 130th and Edwards Rd. and totals 12.5 acres. The last field is the youth/disabled field which is 15 acres and located just south of 154th Rd and West of Ferguson Rd. in the Youth and Mentor/Handicapped field. Each adult must be accompanied by an actively hunting youth to be hunting this field.

Maintain safe shooting distances between hunting parties and always know what lies beyond your target. It is highly recommended that hunters where safety/shooting glasses within the dove fields to prevent potential injury due to falling pellets.

Detailed maps and information will be posted on the Perry Wildlife Area web page.

Perry Wildlife Area is included in the electronic permitting system iSportsman. This system, which will streamline data gathering for management purposes and be convenient for hunters, has taken the place of the old paper dove survey card system. Hunters can register at any time by going to kdwpt.isportsman.net, and clicking on “Register” to create a permit. Once you obtain a permit and are ready to hunt, click on login, than enter login ID and password to “check-in” daily for hunts. After you are done hunting, you will “check-out” and record any harvest you may have from the hunt. You are also able to check-in/check-out by telephone or smart phone. iSportsman is mandatory for all hunters pursuing any type of game on the Perry Wildlife Area

For additional information go to: kdwpt.isportsman.net or call Public Lands Section at 620-672-5911.

Field #1:Non-Toxic shot only. Refuge field closed to public hunting/access, will open September 5th. This is located North of 190th Rd. East of Swabville and totals 13.9 acres.

Field #2: Non-Toxic shot only. This field is located just South of the informational kiosk on 190th Rd. and East of Swabville and totals 20.9 acres.

Perry Wildlife Area Dove 2020 Fields 1 -2
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Field #3: Non-Toxic shot only. This field is located just South of the area office near 174th and Finney Rd to the East of Finney Rd. and totals 18.6 acres

Perry Wildlife Area 2020 Dove Field Map 3
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Field #4: Non-Toxic shot only. This field is the youth/disabled field which is 15 acres and located just south of 154th Rd and West of Ferguson Rd. in the Youth and Mentor/Handicapped field. Each adult must be accompanied by an actively hunting youth to be hunting this field.

Perry Wlidlife Area 2020 Dove Field Map 4
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Field #5: Non-Toxic shot only. This field is located just Southeast of the intersection of 130th and Edwards Rd. and totals 12.5 acres.

Perry Wildlife Area 2020 Dove field map 5
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Field #6: Non-Toxic shot only. This field is reserved for a special youth hunt being held on the Morning of Saturday, September 5th. It is closed to all activities/access until 1:00 PM on Saturday September 5th, then it opens to all public hunting.This is located just West of Harvey Rd. in the Perry Wildlife Area Refuge and totals 6 acres.

Perry Wildlife Area 2020 Dove field map 6
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General Information
Phone:
785-945-6615
Address:
7760 174th Street
 
Valley Falls, KS    66088
County/Counties:
Jefferson
Perry Reservoir & WA (PDF 928.15 kB)

Manager: Andrew Page

Phone: 785-945-6615

Special Regulations
  • Camping, horse-back riding, ATV riding, and target shooting are prohibited activities. See Public Lands Regulations Summary for additional restrictions.
  • All vehicles must stay on maintained roads and parking areas. Off-road driving is prohibited.
  • Please do not park in front of or block gates and field accesses.
  • Refuge areas are closed to all activities from October 1 through January 15.
  • Motorized boats are prohibited from use on all marshes except for the east and west pools of the Kyle marsh complex.

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

History

The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks has leased 10,500 acres of land at the north end of the Perry Reservoir Project from the U.S.Corps of Engineers since 1970. The area is operated and managed by the Department for wildlife management and public hunting opportunities.

Perry Facilities
Delaware River Boat Ramp
  • Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
  • Location of Facility: N39 19.114 W095 26.490
  • Click for more information

    Boat ramp is located on the Delaware River.

Lassiter Marsh
Northwest Marsh
Hayward Marsh
  • Type of Facility: marsh
  • Location of Facility: N39 22.783 W095 30.094
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>20 acre wetland</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    20 acre wetland

Headquarters Marsh
Reichart Marsh
Kyle Marsh
  • Type of Facility: marsh
  • Location of Facility: N39 17.741 W095 27.082
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>300 acre wetland complex including marsh and oxbow.</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    300 acre wetland complex including marsh and oxbow.

West River Marsh
  • Type of Facility: marsh
  • Location of Facility: N39 18.692 W095 26.650
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>200 acre wetland complex</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    200 acre wetland complex

Upper Ferguson Marsh
Lower Ferguson Marsh
  • Type of Facility: marsh
  • Location of Facility: N39 17.860 W095 25.291
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>100 acre wetland</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    100 acre wetland

East River Marsh
Mitigation Marsh
Perry Waterfowl Report - 09/24/2020
Waterfowl numbers
Due to daily hunting pressure and weather conditions, hunting success has dropped. 
A waterfowl survey was conducted on 9/24/20 and less than 100 ducks were observed around the area. Mostly Teal, however still some Wood Ducks especially around the area. 
West River Boat Ramp and parking area are currently under construction and heavy equipment will be working down there when conditions allow to improve the surrounding area. The boat ramp is cleared for launching, however the parking area will be in rough shape until work is completed and new gravel is in place. Please try to stay clear of heavy equipment when using this area to not slow the construction process. Kyle Marsh is full and both East and West ramps are usable for launching. 
*DON'T FORGET TO USE THE ISPORTSMAN ELECTRONIC PERMIT SYSTEM WHEN HUNTING AT PERRY WILDLIFE AREA. THIS IS A FREE AND REQUIRED DAILY HUNT PERMIT SYSTEM THAT ALL HUNTERS MUST USE WHEN ACCESSING THE AREA. 
Mallard Migration Rank = 0 (0 = no mallards 10 = peak migration)
Lake level 1.25 Feet Above Conservation Pool
Habitat conditions
Mild flooding in the spring, followed by a relatively dry summer and mild flooding in late July have created good habitat around the entire area. 
Expected hunting success Poor
Comments
Habitat Condition Rating (HCR): 1-10; 1-Poor habitat, 5-quality habitat, 10-Exceptional habitat

Reminder: Gas powered boats are only allowed on the River, Lake, Sunset Ridge, Kyle East and West and Rucker wetland pools.  Electric powered boats are allowed in all marsh pools.

Kyle: Full Pool. Water levels were coming down slowly throughout the summer which allowed for vegetation to begin growing, however the flooding in late July eliminated most growth and has resulted in mostly open water habitat. HCR-3

West River: Summer Draw downs were successful in both the upper and lower units which allowed for some disking, mowing, and millet planting, however the late flooding killed most of the millet that was drilled. Both the upper and lower units have huntable water. Native moist soil vegetation had already been growing and were tall enough to withstand this flooding providing good native moist soil vegetation. *CAUTION* there is a large hole in the middle of the upper levee near the water control structures that we will clearly marked but be careful when walking near this area. HCR-8

Upper Ferguson: This wetland grew mostly native smartweed and has began picking up water offering some good habitat near the levee. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-7.

Lassister: Full Pool. West Unit: Good vegetation growth especially to the West water was held and was at full pool most of the off season. East Unit: Water was held in this unit from last year, and native moist soil vegetation did grow throughout most of the unit. We are starting to see the results of holding water in these two units for two straight years as more non-desirable plants are starting to show up so we plan to draw down both units after this waterfowl season. HCR-5

Northwest: Half pool. This unit experienced a slow draw down which promoted a lot of good native moist soil vegetation, some supplemental planting occurred and was also destroyed in the late July flooding . HCR-7

Headquarters: This wetland was drawn down early and corn was planted. Once the tenant harvests their 75%, then we will began to try to collect water, no water at this point. HCR-7

Mitigation: Full Pool. This wetland was drawn down and grew to nearly all millet with some other native moist soils. HCR-9

Hayward: This unit currently does not have water.This wetland had repeated flooding and gave the native moist soil vegetation little time to grow. This will pick up water quickly. HCR-4

Reichart: East unit of Reichart has no water right now waiting for the tenant to harvest their corn so we can flood it. We will begin pumping after October 1 to prepare for big duck season. We do have water in each of the two West units with good native moist soil vegetation in both. HCR-8. 

Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in the lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters.

Perry WA has transitioned to a daily permit system called iSportsman.  Hunters will need to register via PC prior to hunting at Perry WA. Hunters will be able to login via PC, smartphone, or call in from cell phone or landline phone each day prior to hunting to get a daily permit, and report back similar to the paper daily permits.  Please visit https://kdwpt.isportsman.net/ to register prior to hunting season.

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, i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL.