Dove Flats Wildlife Area
Dove Flats is a 206 acre property of upland type habitat including native grasses, cropland and mixed habitats. Management is primarily aimed at upland and grassland type species with an emphasis on Dove hunting management.
Manager: Ryan Lies
Phone: 620.331.6820
Area News
Dove Hunting - Due to wet and cold spring conditions, sunflowers were not planted in the 10 acre food plot. Volunteer sunflowers were allowed to grow in the plot and may provide some dove hunting opportunities, and will provide excellent upland habitat. Sunflowers need to be planted in Mid-April to early May to ensure they are matured and dried down by the first week of August for mowing and field preparation for dove hunting. Sunflowers do not survive and grow well in wet and cool conditions such as we had this spring on the area.
Dove Hunters will be required to sign in with the paper cards prior to hunting and to use non-toxic shot during the first week of season.
4 Grass strips were burned in the spring of 2017 for woody control and to open up ground cover. Additional trees were hinge cut or were cut and stacked for brush pile habitat structure.
The property is utilized for special youth hunts during dove season and may have restricted access during those activities. Hunting restrictions are by posted notice.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
This property was utilized as an air base during WWII, and was declared surplus property, then donated to the then Forestry, Fish and Game in 1974 for wildlife habitat and hunting. The property was initially managed in conjunction with the Elk City Wildlife Area, located a few miles to the south. The property was renamed Dove Flats in 1996 to recognize the long tradition of Dove hunting in the local area.