Region 4

Waterfowl numbers

Water level

Hunting conditions

Expected hunting success

Comments

The hunting permits required for the past several years have been eliminated. Hunters do not need a daily permit to hunt.

Waterfowl numbers

canada geese = 4148, Mallard=2250, Snows=2075

Water level

over 7ft. below conservation pool

Hunting conditions

poor on the reservoir

Expected hunting success

poor

Comments

water is quite some distance from the shoreline, going to be hard to set up with cover. DO NOT DRIVE OUT ONTO THE EXPOSED LAKE-BED FOR ANY REASON. YOU'LL END UP STUCK AND FACING AN ILLEGAL OFF-ROAD CITATION AND WRECKER FEES!

Waterfowl numbers

No snow geese at this time. Approximately 2,300 ducks (mixed species but primarily divers) observed on 3/22.

Mallard Migration Rank =

Water levels

6.40 feet below conservation elevation (1,274') on 3/22.

Hunting conditions

Difficult. Extensive mud flats and shallow water exist on upper ends of the lake. Hunter concealment will be challenging. Because of low lake levels, boat travel is not possible between the lake and the Munkers Creek and Neosho River boat ramps.

Expected hunting success

Poor.

Comments

Waterfowl viewing opportunities currently good. Many species present and can often be observed close to shoreline. Dark goose and Low Plains Late Zone Duck Seasons are CLOSED. Light goose conservation order in effect from Feb. 11 through April 30.

Waterfowl Numbers

Ducks:

Geese: A few hundred resident Canada's observed on 03/21. No light geese.

Mallard Migration Rank =

Water level

Lake is at 1334.34' as of 03/18 (conservation pool 1339.0')

Hunting conditions

Poor conditions are expected for the upcoming waterfowl season unless we receive some major inflows.

Expected hunting success

Duck and Dark Goose Seasons are Closed. Poor for snow geese.

Comments

NOTE: El Dorado is now located within the Low Plains Southeast Duck Zone. Duck seasons within this zone are November 15, 2012 through January 27, 2013. The upper ends of the lake are covered with extensive mud flats and water depth is extremely variable in those areas. Access either by land or water will be difficult.

This will be the last report for the 2012/13 season.

Waterfowl numbers

There are about 50 to 100 ducks using the river at this time.

Mallard Migration Rank=6

The rank is subjective and is from (0= No Mallards, 1=Very few Mallards, 5=Moderate numbers, 10= Peak numbers).

Water level

Low

Hunting conditions

Poor/Fair

Expected hunting success

Poor/Fair

Comments

Waterfowl numbers

A few geese and zero ducks.

Mallard Migration Rank

Current rank: 0

This rank is subjective and ranges from 0 (no mallards) to 10 (peak numbers)

Water level

Currently, at least 8" of snow, that once melts will hopefully provide some run-off into the wetlands.

Hunting conditions

poor.

Expected hunting success

Poor until we get some significant rain.

Comments

The Little Sinkhole/Farland Lake marsh unit is included in the EARLY low-plains duck zone (as is the rest of MPWL).

Newsletter:

We are currently producing a McPherson Valley Wetlands electronic newsletter that will be distributed bi-annually. The newsletter will highlight season results, upcoming projects, forecasted fall flights, and other information that hunters / users should be aware of if they plan to visit the area. If you are interested in recieving this newsletter please Click here.

For refuge locations, please see the link McPherson Wetlands brochure and map on the McPherson Wetlands web page for these changes or contact the area office for more information at (620)-241-7669.

All hunters must pick up and fill out free daily hunting permits located at all the parking lots on the area. These permits must be carried with you while hunting at MPWL, and returned to the permit boxes once hunting activities are complete for the day. Also, all shotgun hunters at McPherson Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds.

Keep in mind, during and after rain events, area roads become very greasy. Please use caution and good judgement before entering these roadways. IF ROADS ARE WET, PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL ON THEM!

Waterfowl
numbers

There is approximately 15 ducks on the area. Pools 3 is the only pool that has some water in it. Pools 1 & 4 have a little water in them. The rest of them are dry.

Mallard
Migration
Rank

Current rank: 6

This rank is subjective and ranges from 0 (no mallards) to 10 (peak numbers)

Water
level

Poor

Hunting conditions

Poor

Expected hunting success

Poor

Comments

Please remember to fill out both top and bottom of your daily hunting permits. The information helps me manage the area for you guys and wildlife. Thanks for the sportsmen that do fill them out completely.

All hunters must pick up and fill out free daily hunting permits located at all the parking lots on the area. These permits must be carried with you while hunting at SCWL, and returned to the permit boxes once hunting activities are complete for the day. Also, all shotgun hunters at Slate Creek Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds.

Keep in mind, during and after rain events, area roads become very greasy. Please use caution and good judgment before entering these roadways.

Please report all wildlife and public lands violations that you witness by calling the area headquarters at (620)-876-5730. Please leave a detailed message with violation specifics.

Waterfowl Numbers

3100 Canada geese with some White-fronted geese mixed in were in the area on 1/31, along with 500 snow geese. Approximately 250-300 duck are on the reservoir this week, most are Mallard and Golden Eye.

Mallard Migration Rating

Current Rating= 4 The rank is subjective and is from (0= No Mallards, 1=Very few Mallards, 5=Moderate numbers, 10= Peak numbers).

Water level

Lake level is currently 1347.02 (Conservation pool is 1350.50)

Hunting conditions

Fair. Low lake levels and exposed shoreline may make setup difficult, and cover hard to find. Small watercraft can still be launched from Broken Bridge, Marion cove, and Cottonwood point.

Expected hunting success

Fair.

Comments

Ice on the lake is thin and not safe the venture out on, please be careful while your out hunting in these conditions! Hunting season for White-Fronted geese is currently closed and will open again on Feb. 2nd. Remember the Reservoir now has ZEBRA MUSSELS. Make sure to Clean, Drain and Dry your equipment. Clean all visible vegetation and mud from decoys, bags, waders, etc. Drain water from decoy bags and boats. Allow equipment to Dry for a five day period before using it at another area, OR wash with high-pressure hot water.

Do not drive out on exposed shoreline for any reason!!!