Call    620-546-3433

Email

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has been considering implementing a deeper water waterfowl refuge at Wilson Reservoir for several years. While the water portion of the refuge designated on the west end in 1996 has been effective for sandhill cranes and early migrating waterfowl, the shallow water sometimes freezes early, which is not good for late-season migrating waterfowl. Plans to develop a deeper waterfowl refuge area have become even more important this fall because drought has dried the entire water area of the current refuge. Because Wilson is now more than five feet below conservation pool, a small refuge addition will be established directly west of Minooka Park on the south side of the lake. This area will be closed to all activities from Oct. 1, 2006 to March 1, 2007.

A similar refuge addition at Glen Elder Reservoir a few years ago significantly increased late-season waterfowl use. Waterfowl numbers should improve with this addition in 2006 and provide better hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. This action should have little impact on other recreation opportunities at Wilson this fall and winter. For more information, contact Greg Nichols at the Wilson Area Office, 785-658-2465.

Kansas boasts some of the best upland bird populations in the world. In fact, the largest concentrations of both lesser and greater prairie chickens are found in Kansas. Bobwhite quail still thrive throughout much of the state, and in the far southwest corner, scaled quail can be found. Although not native, the ring-necked pheasant has become a fixture to much of the Kansas landscape. This variety and abundance of opportunities has made Kansas one of the more popular destinations among bird hunters worldwide. All upland bird populations fluctuate annually according to weather and habitat conditions. To assist hunters with travel plans, KDWP staff use a variety of surveys to assemble the Upland Bird Forecast , which is published each September. The forecast provides up-to-date information about bird numbers around the state.