Melvern Lake/Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report / Melvern / Southeast / Wildlife Areas / Locations / KDWP Info / KDWP

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Melvern Lake/Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report - Updated: 2/29/24

Waterfowl numbers	Waterfowl counts given on this report are based on what was observed on the day the report is updated. Waterfowl numbers vary greatly from day to day and weather conditions and hunting pressure will affect the number of waterfowl on the area. Date: 2/28/2024 Mallard: 3500 Wigeon: 25 Northern Shoveler: 80 Green-Winged Teal: 200 Redhead: 40 Ring-neck: 290 Goldeneye: 35 Unidentified Duck: 1050 Mallard Migration Rank = 0 (0 = no mallards and 10 = peak migration)
Water level	Lake level = 1036.11; Conservation pool = 1036.00; Target goal for the lake is 1036.00.
Hunting conditions	Melvern Lake and the Wildlife Area fall within the Low Plains Late Zone. 3 Duck Marsh- The wetland is full. Willow Marsh- This wetland is full of moist soil vegetation and provides excellent habitat. This wetland is full. Sundance Marsh- This wetland contains moist soil vegetation. The wetland is full. Lowman's Cove- This wetland is full and moist soil production was high. Shoveler Slough- This wetland is prime moist-soil vegetation. Habitat conditions look excellent. This wetland is full. The parking lot for this wetland is located at the intersection of 317th and S. Davis Rd. Price Marsh- This newly completed wetland has decent moist soil vegetation. The parking lot for this wetland is at 309th & Crawford. NO DRIVING ON THE LEVEE. Refuge-The refuge is on the west end of the lake and directly east of Willow Marsh. It produced good moist soil vegetation. The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th.
Expected hunting success	good
Comments	All hunters utilizing Melvern Wildlife Area are required to obtain a free daily hunt permit through the new electronic permit system. Hunters can register now to begin using the electronic system at https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Waterfowl hunters utilizing the main lake are only required to obtain a permit when hunting west of Hoch Road. 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. TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE Season: 09/09/2023 - 09/24/2023 Area open: East of Hwy. U. S. 283 Daily bag limit: 6 teal (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal) Possession limit: 18 teal in possession (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal) Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp YOUTH, VETERAN AND ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL SEASONS (Youth 17 and younger) Low Plains Late Zone: 10/21/2023 - 10/22/2023 DUCKS, LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE Season: 10/28/2023 - 12/31/2023 and 01/20/2024 - 01/28/2024 Area open: Late Zone (see map) Daily bag limit: 6 (Limit Info) Possession limit: Three times the daily limit Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp DUCK LIMITS 6 ducks, any combination of six ducks and/or mergansers which may include no more than five mallards (only two of which may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup and one pintail. CANADA GEESE Season: 10/28/2023 - 10/29/2023 and 11/01/2023 - 02/11/2024 Area open: Statewide Daily bag limit: 6 (including Brant) Possession limit: 18 Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp WHITE-FRONTED GEESE Season: 10/28/2023 - 12/31/2023 and 01/20/2024 - 02/11/2024 Area open: Statewide Daily bag limit: 2 Possession limit: 6 Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp LIGHT GEESE Season: 10/28/2023 - 10/29/2023 and 11/01/2023 - 02/11/2024 Area open: Statewide Daily bag limit: 50 Possession limit: No limit Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th.

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