| Waterfowl numbers | *** ENDANGERED WHOOPING CRANES ARE ON THE PROPERTY AS OF 11/15/24 *** The whooping cranes have been utilizing the area in the vicinity of the northwestern portion of the west refuge area. Hunters are strongly encouraged to avoid this area while the birds are present. Please do not attempt to disturb the birds in any fashion. --- ALL HUNTERS at Glen Elder WA are required to check-in AND check-out daily. Go to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin or utilize the GoOutdoorsKS app and check-in using your licensing login credentials. It is YOUR responsibility to know a property's regulations, refuge(s) and duck zone boundaries, etc. BEFORE you hunt. Click here for a detailed map of the refuges, youth area, and State Park boundaries. Please be aware that the Low Plains Early Duck Zone and Low Plains Late Duck Zone boundary is HWY 24. This means Glen Elder WA North of Hwy 24 is in the Early Zone. The majority of the Glen Elder WA (South of HWY 24) is in the Late Zone. -- DUCK HUNTERS WITH BOATS- Please be aware the Boller Point Boat Ramp will be unavailable for use once our contractors begin work to install a new boat ramp starting sometime in mid to late November. While this ramp is unavailable, the only useable ramps will be in the State Park (NE corner of lake). --- 11/7 Survey results = More ducks have arrived (mostly green wing teal) in the last week. Relatively low numbers from what we normally have later in the season but good numbers for this time of year. Goose and sandhill crane numbers have dropped some. Central Crane Zone is now open. Numbers of all species may change dramatically day-to-day. -- Mallard Migration Rank = 2 (10 is peak migration) ---
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| Water level | Lake is currently 7 feet below conservation (lowest level in 15+ years) and continuing to drop from evaporation. |
| Hunting conditions | Very Poor. Hunters still need to be cautious of DANGEROUS MUD CONDITIONS on the river and creek areas. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor to fair. |
| Comments | Granite Creek boat ramp is closed seasonally from November 1 through January 31st. The following boat ramps are currently UNUSABLE due to low water levels: Granite Creek, North Fork River, Carr Creek, Schoen's Cove and Walnut Creek. Low Plains Early Duck Zone (North of Highway 24) season is OPEN until December 8, 2024. Then it will re-open from December 21, 2024 thru January 5, 2025. Low Plains Late Duck Zone (South of Highway 24) season is OPEN until December 29, 2024 and will re-open January 18 - 26, 2025. Dark geese season is OPEN until february 16, 2025 Whitefront season is OPEN until December 29, 2024. Light geese season is OPEN untill February 16, 2025. Cawker City and Granite Creek Refuge closure dates are November 1st - January 31st. The Youth/ Mentor hunting area is located in the Granite Creek Refuge and is in effect from October 1 - January 31. Waterfowl hunting from the shoreline area is allowed in the Youth-Mentor Area as long as EACH adult is hunting with a youth 17 years or younger. Boats of any sort are prohibited in the Granite Creek Refuge. Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in Waconda Lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters. |
