Perry Wildlife Area

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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
Area News - Updated: 08/20/2019

DUE TO RECORD SETTING AND LONG-LASTING FLOOD EVENTS THIS SPRING, ONLY TWO FIELDS SURVIVED THE FLOODING AND ARE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR. WE PLANTED NEAR 80 ACRES AS WE USUALLY DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO IN YEARS TO COME. THERE IS NO YOUTH/MENTOR/HANDICAP OR REFUGE FIELD THIS YEAR. 

Two managed Dove fields are located on the Perry Wildlife Area totaling about 28 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 Southwest of the area office off Finney Rd to the West of Finney Rd. and totals 8.5 acres. The second field is located North of 190th Rd on the West side of the Delaware River. This field is Northeast of the parking area and Kiosk on 190th Rd and totals about 19.4 acres.  

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. Located Southwest of the office off the West side of Finney Rd. near the intersection of 170th and Finney and totals 8.5 acres.  

2019 Sunflower Field #1
Enlarge Image

Field #2: Non-Toxic shot only. This field is located just Northeast of the Kiosk on 190th Rd. West of the Delaware River and totals about 19.4 acres.  

2019 Sunflower Field #2
Enlarge Image
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 - 02/17/2020
Waterfowl numbers
A waterfowl survey was conducted on 2/14/2020 showing a decrease in waterfowl numbers. Approx 900 ducks were seen in the area during the survey. Approx 1000 geese were seen in the area with almost all being Canada Geese. Most of the lake was frozen and all of the wetlands were frozen. Due to significant and repeated flooding wetland habitat conditions and cover are poor. With the increase of moisture in our watershed, Perry Lake has increased outflow to 1000cfs. West River Boat Ramp/Parking is inaccessible and will remain CLOSED until renovations can be completed. Kyle Marsh boat ramps are both accessible now. Some wetlands have began drawing down for renovation work. 
*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 = 1 (0 = no mallards 10 = peak migration)
Lake level 1.85 Feet Below Conservation Pool
Habitat conditions
Due to repeated and long lasting flooding habitat conditions are poor
Expected hunting success Poor 
Comments
With the lake levels reaching an all time high this year we were unable to do any habitat work in our wetlands. The high lake levels also resulted in minimal vegetation growth in the wetlands and along the levees as many of the levees are under or were under water for a period of time. 
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: Draw down has begun. Kyle Marsh has remained under water for most of the year, habitat conditions are poor. Currently the parking lot and both boat ramps are accessible. HCR-1

West River: Draw down has begun. West River has remained under water for most of the year, habitat conditions are poor. Currently the boat ramp to the Delaware River and parking lot off of 150th Rd is CLOSED FOR CLEANUP AND RENOVATION (anticipated reopening Spring 2020) HCR-1

Upper Ferguson: Draw down has begun. Upper Ferguson has remained under water for most the year. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-1.

Lassister: Full Pool. West Unit: This unit was worked prior to flooding and there was vegetation growth but had went underwater multiple times, water was held and is now at full pool. East Unit: Water was held in this unit from last year, flooding did occur but was minimal compared to other wetlands. HCR-3

Northwest: Full Pool, a slow draw down was attempted prior to flooding. Vegetation growth was limited and water levels had topped the levees multiple times. HCR-2

Headquarters: Draw down has begun. This wetland had remained under water most of the year so habitat and cover are poor. HCR-1

Mitigation: Full Pool. This wetland had remained under water throughout the year. Standing corn was left in the unit from last year but no habitat work was done this year. HCR-1

Hayward: Full Pool. This wetland had experience repeated flooding throughout the year with some vegetation growth on the edges. HCR-2

Reichart: Draw down has begun on lower pool and upper west pool. A portion of this wetland was worked before flooding had occurred and there was minimal vegetation growth but had remained under water for most of the year. HCR-2. 

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.