Updated: 3/26/13

Lovewell Reservoir Waterfowl Report

Waterfowl numbers

There are still, 8 to 10,000 light geese, 1,000 Dark Geese, 2,500 ducks and 10 Bald eagles. The geese are in the area but spread out over a 40 mile radius. Juvenile light geese are here in flocks of 10 to 300. Large counts of this past weeks are decreasing and moving north and spreading out into the Rainwater Basin of Nebraska.

All duck zones closed. Dark goose season closed. Light Goose Conservation Order OPEN through April 30, 2013.

Mallard Migration Ranking

Mallard Migration ranking = 6

Water level

Reservoir is 1.5 ft below conservation pool. Inflow from canal is 72 cfs.

Hunting condition

Snow, rain and falling temperatures expected through Sunday. Some county roads that just dried out will become impassable again and cropland fields will become muddy making it difficult for hunters to access most fields with vehicles. This all depends on the amount of precipitation.

Expected hunting success

Fair to poor on private land. Most hunting is taking place on crop fields on private land.

Comments

All boat ramps open.Refuge is open. Camping cabins are available in Lovewell State Park. Make reservations HERE

HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :

  • MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCES BETWEEN HUNTING PARTIES
  • BE COURTEOUS OF OTHER HUNTERS
  • KNOW THIER TARGET AND WHAT LIES BEYOND IT
  • HUNTERS USING BOATS MUST EXERCISE EXTRA CARE WHEN BOATING IN COLD WATER AND NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH KANSAS BOATING REGULATIONS
  • OBTAIN PERMISSION BEFORE HUNTING PRIVATE LAND. IF WRITTEN PERMISSION IS REQUIRED ALL HUNTERS IN THE PARTY MUST POSSESS WRITTEN PERMISSION.

FOLLOWING SAFE AND ETHICAL PRACTICES WILL ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HUNTING PUBLIC LANDS ENJOYS A HIGH QUALITY EXPERIENCE.

FREE DAILY HUNT PERMITS REQUIRED FOR ALL HUNTING ON THE AREA. PERMITS AVAILABLE AT THE INFORMATION CENTERS. Hunters will again be required to fill out a daily use permit to report their hunting activities while on the area. The top portion of the two-part permit must be filled out and returned to the survey station prior to hunting and the bottom portion kept with the hunter to record hunting activity. After the hunt the bottom portion is also returned to the survey station where the permits will be collected and information recorded to assist managers with improving the area. THEREFUGE IS CLOSED FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO JANUARY 31 on the NORTHEAST half of the reservoir and Wildlife Area from 1/8th mile west of the south end of the dam and following a buoy line northwest to the Cabin Area boat ramp. No hunting from the park shoreline. Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on!