Perry Wildlife Area
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N39 19.114 W095 26.490
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 21.292 W095 29.317
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 22.260 W095 28.917
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 22.783 W095 30.094
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 21.302 W095 28.265
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 22.759 W095 28.759
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 17.741 W095 27.082
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 18.692 W095 26.650
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 19.127 W095 25.637
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 17.860 W095 25.291
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 19.376 W095 26.372
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- Type of Facility: marsh
- Location of Facility: N39 19.563 W095 26.057
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