Waterfowl hunting still good in late January; goose seasons extend into February
PRATT — The late January duck season is keeping many waterfowl hunters afield this January because the late segment of the duck season runs Jan 21-29 in the High Plains Zone (west of U.S. Highway 283) and the Late Zone (most of eastern and central Kansas). The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reminds hunters that to understand the exact boundaries of the Late Zone, a copy of the 2005 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary is required. This booklet contains maps outlining waterfowl boundaries, and they are available at most KDWP offices or other places where licenses are sold. They also may be downloaded from the KDWP website .

As of Jan. 19, the reported number waterfowl in Kansas included 331,000 geese and 126,000 ducks statewide, but those numbers could increase if frigid weather pushes more ducks and geese from northern states. Currently, the top three areas for geese are Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) with 200,000, Kirwin NWR with 32,000, and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area with 30,000. The top three areas for ducks are Quivira NWR with 25,000, Neosho Wildlife Area with 22,000, and Glen Elder Reservoir with 15,000. (These numbers are approximately and can fluctuate daily.) Other areas are holding solid duck numbers; check the nearest KDWP office for updated information. Updated waterfowl reports may also be found on the KDWP website.

Canada goose season runs through Feb. 12. The regular light goose season also runs through Feb. 12, but a federal conservation order extends light goose hunting through April 30. White-fronted goose season is closed.

All waterfowl hunters 16 and older must have a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, and all hunters who are required to obtain a license must also have a Kansas State Waterfowl Habitat Stamp and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp before attempting to take ducks and geese. (Those not required to have a Kansas hunting license include people hunting their own land and residents 15 and younger or 65 and older.)

Waterfowl and HIP stamps purchased during the fall 2005 seasons are valid through the 2006 winter waterfowl seasons and the light goose conservation order.
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