Hillsdale Wildlife Area News
Dove Hunting
Each year, SEVERAL AREAS are specifically prepared for dove hunting. Twenty-five acres of sunflowers and wheat, just east of Lookout Rd/Gardner Road on 239th (Tonzville Rd.), will be partially mowed and burned prior to opening day. A second field with 17 acres of burned wheat and sunflowers is located on the west side of the Reservoir near 255th and Waverly Road. The wheat will be burned prior to opening day.
New this year-A Dove Hunting mentor/novice area has been developed near the low water bridge at 223rd street and the Little Bull Creek. Only the dove hunting in this area is restricted to mentor and novice hunters. The primary objective of this "Dove Mentor Area" is to provide additional "out of the rush" hunting opportunities for the mentor-novice hunters. A Mentor, in this case, is someone 21 years or older and accompanied by at least one Novice- a youth under 16 years of age or a person who has not possessed a hunting license in the last 3 years.
Unfortunately, The sunflowers had a tough summer growing season with hot dry conditions and infestation by the sunflower moth. The result is less than desirable flowers. We will mow or burn what wheat and sunflowers that are available to attract as many doves as practical. A different variety of sunflower may be used next year that is more resistant to the sunflower moth. Address comments and suggestions to Tim Schaid at the Hillsdale Wildlife and Parks Office (913-783-4507).
See the Hillsdale Wildlife Area web page for detailed aerial photos of all managed dove fields. Click on maps, then click on the little bird symbols for dove fields.
All food plots including sunflowers and corn are planted as early in the growing season as practical each year within the Hillsdale Widlife Area. Planting activities generally start in Aprl. This year the spring growing conditions were very wet. The summer very dry and hot. These stresser have resulted in less vigor than hoped for in many food plots. The larger 25 ac dove field has the best crops this year (see below).
A Hunting/Survey Permit requirement was implimented in 2009 for the 25 ac dove field (Field 1) on 239th east of Lookout Road or Gardner Road at Hillsdale. All dove hunters on this field are required to obtain a "free" Daily Dove Hunting Permit while hunting doves on this field. Free permits will be available on site. The top half of the permit is completed and deposited into a mailbox (at the hunting area) before hunting. The bottom portion is carried while in the field, data recorded and deposited into the mailbox at the completion of the hunt. A new permit is required for each hunt. This information is being collected from many managed dove fields in eastern Kansas in an effort to evaluate dove management activities on public lands. This information will help us maintain and improve funding for managed dove fields in the future. Thanks for you cooperation and participation with this survey.
I appreciate everyone's cooperation filling out hunter survey cards honestly. The information regarding the number of hunters using the area and the number of doves taken are important factors for evaluating the continued effort to provide Managed Dove Fields. Rest assured we are not looking at how many shots it takes any particular individual to take a dove. However, we are interested in the beneficial economic issues related to hunting doves. We are also interested in how much lead is being deposited on Manged Dove Fields.
Waterfowl/Wetland Update
The Hillsdale wildlife area has four managed wetland areas including the Novice area described above. See the Hillsdale Wildlife Area web page maps for aerial views of all managed wetland areas. Click on maps, then click on the wetland symbols. The park manages one wetland area below the dam also.
Mentor/Novice Area (click to see)
A mentor/novice area has been developed to provide enhanced hunting opportunities for the new or beginning hunters. Waterfowl and upland hunting will be available in this area but restricted to mentor and novice hunters. A 20-30 acre wetland, The Big Bull Wetland, has been completed at the dead end of 223rd street east of Spoon Creek Road on the upper west side of Hillsdale Reservoir. The primary objective of this "last wetland" is to provide additional hunting opportunities for the mentor-novice hunters. We hope to recruit and encourage new hunters by the more experienced hunters. A Mentor, in this case, is someone 21 years or older and accompanied by at least one Novice- a youth under 16 years of age or a person who has not possessed a hunting license in the last 3 years. Address comments and suggestions to Tim Schaid at the Hillsdale Wildlife and Parks Office (913-783-4507).
Low Water Crossing, Little Bull Creek and 223rd street update.
Construction on a new low water bridge to improve access to fields south of 223rd and the Little Bull Creek Bridge has been completed. The new access will provide hunting and fishing access and improve farm equipment access to fields close to the reservoir.
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