Neosho Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report -
Waterfowl numbers
Hunters can check in here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. Check-in / check-out is required for all hunters!
NO ENTRY (by foot, boat, etc) INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER SUNSET (LEGAL SHOOTING TIME).

IF THE WATERFOWL REPORT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED THAT MEANS THAT THE CONDITIONS ON THE AREA HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE

Duck species present Wood Ducks, Blue and Green-Winged Teal, Pintail, Gadwall, Widgeon, Shoveler, and Mallard.  Canada and White-fronted goose numbers are also increasing. 

Water level

The SE part of the state is still in need of some rain, it has become very dry over the last 2 months.        

Flood irrigation or first stage up began in the hunting pools on July 29th and finished up August 8th, second stage up was Sept 4th through the 13th and third stage up started Oct 7th and is ongoing.  This was done to help preserve habitat, promote seed production, invertebrate production and keep moist soil plants from burning up.  Food is done and we are trying to get water to opening day elevations, but pumping is extremely slow and we are continuing to lose water to evaporation.   

The Neosho River Basin is now fairly flush with water.  Recent rains totaling around 7" have helped tremendously.  Water levels will be at normal or slightly above typical opening day levels, with levels being around that 10 to 12" average. 

Boat hunters should still utilize caution when navigating through the hunting pools as there is still extremely shallow water and getting stuck could be a real possibility.  Please utilize common sense and respect to other hunters.  

Please see area news for habitat conditions

Boats are NOT required to hunt Neosho. Walk-in hunting is readily available with very few areas over knee deep. Hunters should take caution during the regular waterfowl season wading the boat lane (south end) in Pool 1 (tractor roads/foot crossings are in place); the very east side of 2A, and the oxbow area of 2B.

Pool 1- 150 Acres

Pool 2A- 90 Acres

Pool 2B- 130 acres

Pool 3 (Refuge)- 475 acres

Pool 4A- 90 Acres   Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only

Pool 4B- 35 Acres   Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only

Pool 5-  Dry   

Pool 6-  Dry

Pool 7-  Full

Pool 8-  25 Acres  Please remember that this pool is youth/mentor ONLY on weekends and holidays. 

Pool 9-  20 Acres

South Unit- Nearing full capacity and currently pumping

 

    

Hunting conditions

SE Zone Regular Waterfowl season will start November 9th 

Conditions look great with recent rainfall. Water is currently being pumped to begin stage ups in the hunting pools.  

Habitat is looks extremely good, seed production for moist soil and row crops was good and the vegetation is tall and rank, so what water we have will be hard to see until vegetation begins to break down.  Pool elevations are good as can be expected for this time of year with 10 to 12" water in most of pools.   

     

Please see the area news page for a breakdown of habitat types within each pool. 

 

Expected hunting success
SE ZONE REGULAR SEASON CURRENTLY CLOSED will open Nov. 9
 

Fair to good success expected. 

Please be respectful of other hunters and allow space between hunting parties. 

We want to thank everyone for the continued cooperation with utilizing our new electronic check-in/out system. The agency continues to work diligently on improving the new system and are confident it will be working for the upcoming waterfowl season. Area staff look at and sort this data in many different ways to make management decisions for upcoming years and to also look at what management strategies worked during the hunting season.    

Comments
ATTENTION: Federal waterfowl stamps purchased online are still required to be accessible to provide proof of purchase by the hunter if asked for by Law Enforcement!
Reminder: Motorized watercraft are prohibited on the wildlife area until the day season opens. (5:00am, November 5,2022 for regular duck season.)
DAILY REGULATION:  NO ENTRY INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER LEGAL SHOOTING TIME.   

DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PUBLIC LAND IN KANSAS

All Boating regulations are enforced! (Lifejackets must be out and accessible, navigation lights, etc.)
All boats must operate at no wake speeds within boating canals (signs are posted)
No shooting is allowed from interior dikes
Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hr before sunrise to SUNSET!
Required Licenses/stamps: Hunting License, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, Kansas State Stamp, and Kansas H.I.P. Stamp. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required licenses/stamps. You MUST also check in and check out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. 
Waterfowl hunting in Pool 8 is restricted to youth hunters and their mentor on weekends and holidays. There must be at least one youth per adult if the adult is hunting. (You can't have 5 adults and one youth). This applies during the Youth and Veterans season, this pool is for youth only during youth and veterans season, unless the veteran is taking a youth hunting.
Atv's of any kind are not allowed on the area (side by sides, utv's, amphibious vehicles, "argos"; this includes electric bicycles)
Campgrounds on the area are Primitive campground. (No electric, No water) Take your trash with you!!

Please remember to fill out the permit with accurate information. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE AREA. FILL OUT ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL HARVEST EFFORTS, each individual hunter needs to check in/out and report his/her harvest totals. i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL.