Kansas offers excellent duck hunting opportunities across the state. With a variety of habitats ranging from large reservoirs and rivers to smaller wetlands, marshes and flooded fields, there are plenty of places for ducks to stop during migration. Choosing the best area really depends on the type of hunting experience you’re looking for.
Eastern Kansas Duck Hunting
Eastern Kansas contains a diversity of public hunting areas that attract ducks migrating along the Central and Mississippi flyways. This part of the state provides excellent flooded timber and marsh habitat. Some of the top duck hunting spots in eastern Kansas include:
- Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area – Over 10,000 acres of wetlands and marshes with flooded timber that holds mallards, wood ducks, teal and more.
- Neosho Wildlife Area – Mainly flooded timber hunting along the Neosho River bottoms. Prime area for wood ducks.
- Melvern Reservoir – Draws divers like redheads, canvasbacks, ringnecks, lesser scaup and ruddy ducks to its open waters.
- Perry Reservoir – Known for its bluebill and redhead rafts along with opportunities for diver ducks and Canada geese.
- Elk City Reservoir – Provides excellent early season teal and wood duck hunting in September along with late season mallard action.
These public lands offer great habitat, manage for specific hunting opportunities, and see good concentrations of migrating ducks. With some scouting, you can find locations away from the crowds on opening day.
Central Kansas Duck Hunting
Central Kansas is dominated by the massive Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area located northeast of Great Bend. This 41,000 acre wetland complex contains marshes, ponds and flooded agricultural fields that attract impressive numbers of ducks and geese during fall and winter. Cheyenne Bottoms has nationally-renowned duck hunting and gives hunters shots at mallards, gadwall, widgeon, green-winged teal, shovelers and more. Besides Cheyenne Bottoms, these other public hunting areas offer great Central Kansas duck hunting:
- Lovewell Reservoir – Provides excellent early season opportunities for teal, wood ducks, mallards and gadwall.
- Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge – Draws divers like canvasbacks, redheads, ringnecks and lesser scaup to its marsh habitats.
- Glen Elder Reservoir – A large reservoir that holds rafts of diving ducks along with dabblers in the marshy arms.
For a classic prairie duck hunting experience, Cheyenne Bottoms can’t be beat. Arrive early in the season before the notorious Kansas winds kick up later in the year.
Western Kansas Duck Hunting
Western Kansas offers some outstanding duck hunting on its smaller marshes, ponds and reservoirs. Although somewhat under the radar, these areas can rival locations farther east for duck concentrations at times. Top duck hunting spots in western Kansas include:
- Jamestown Wildlife Area – Extensive wetlands along the Republican River bottom attract mallards, wigeon, gadwall and teal.
- Marion Reservoir – Provides excellent opportunities for teal, mallards, divers and Canada geese.
- Neosho Wildlife Area – Wetlands and small ponds harbor green-winged teal in September.
- Meade Wildlife Area – Management for waterfowl with flooded crop fields, marshes and ponds.
With a “ducky” forecast, these western Kansas public hunting areas can offer fast shooting for dabbling ducks and the chance to bag a limit.
Where to Find Ducks in Kansas
While ducks can be found across Kansas during migration, their numbers peak in certain habitats and regions of the state:
- Rivers and large reservoirs – Areas like the Arkansas River, Marais des Cygnes River and reservoirs such as Perry and Elk City are duck magnets thanks to submerged aquatic vegetation that attracts diving ducks like canvasbacks, redheads, ringnecks and bluebills.
- Marshes and flooded wetlands – Shallow wetlands with stands of smartweed, millet, bulrush and other native vegetation are prime spots. Regions like Cheyenne Bottoms, Marais des Cygnes and Jamestown Wildlife Areas harbor excellent marsh habitat.
- Flooded agricultural fields – Kansas has millions of acres of cropland, much of which holds waterfowl during fall migration and into winter. Unharvested corn, soybean and wheat fields provide energy-rich foods for ducks.
- Flooded timber – Lowland river bottoms and reservoirs with flooded cottonwoods, willows and buttonbush are magnets for wood ducks. Find flooded timber around Perry Reservoir, Neosho Wildlife Area and Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area.
Pay attention to weather patterns and cold fronts during duck season to pinpoint the best hunting areas week to week. Be mobile and scout different public land units until you locate concentrations of birds.
Best Times for Duck Hunting in Kansas
Kansas generally offers good duck hunting from early teal season in September through the regular duck season closing in January. Peak migration times include:
- Early September – Early teal season opens opportunities on bluewings, greenwings and resident ducks before most migrators arrive.
- October – Excellent for early migrants like pintails, wigeon, shovelers and wood ducks. Warm temperatures can keep ducks spread out.
- Early November – Mallard numbers increase with colder weather. First major pushes of divers arrive from the north.
- Late November – Peak migration for puddle ducks like mallards and gadwall along with divers such as redheads, canvasbacks and ringnecks.
- December – Migration dwindles but good late season hunting for mallards, geese and divers continue with ice-free waters.
Hitting the marshes and timber during duck season openers in October and November can offer fast shooting action on flights of new birds. But don’t overlook late season opportunities in January as hardy mallards and divers concentrate on the remaining open water.
Top Duck Species in Kansas
A wide variety of duck species migrate through and winter in Kansas. The most commonly hunted and harvested ducks include:
- Mallards – The most abundant puddle duck. Mallards pour into Kansas wetlands and fields by the thousands during fall.
- Gadwall – Underrated dabbler reaching high numbers across the state. Great duck for young or new hunters.
- Green-winged teal – Fast-flying ducks providing exciting shooting in September and often late into the season.
- Wood ducks – Gorgeous ducks found in flooded Kansas timber. Prime targets during early teal and regular duck openers.
- Redheads – Common diving ducks on larger Kansas reservoirs and wetlands like Cheyenne Bottoms.
- Ring-necked ducks – The most commonly bagged diving duck. Fun to hunt as they raft up on open water.
- Canvasbacks – Regal ducks reaching peak numbers during the November migration push.
- Lesser scaup – Plentiful divers on large open waters across Kansas.
Get to know the different duck species that migrate through the state from the showy wood duck to the diminutive green-winged teal. Learning to identify birds in flight helps make every hunt more rewarding.
Public Lands Offer Top Duck Hunting
Kansas duck hunters are blessed with over 1 million acres of public wildlife areas and state fishing lakes managed specifically for waterfowl habitat and hunting opportunity. Top public hunting areas to consider include:
Public Hunting Area | Region | Major Habitats |
---|---|---|
Marais des Cygnes WA | East | Marshes, flooded timber |
Neosho WA | East | Flooded timber |
Cheyenne Bottoms WA | Central | Marshes, ponds |
Jamestown WA | West | Wetlands, river bottom |
Meade WA | West | Marshes, cropland |
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks manages these and other public hunting areas specifically for waterfowl habitat and hunting opportunity. Take advantage of these accessible, affordable places to hunt ducks in the Sunflower State.
Tips for Hunting Ducks in Kansas
Keep these tips in mind when gearing up for duck hunting in Kansas:
- Time your hunts for cold fronts when fresh flights of ducks arrive from the north.
- Most public areas offer both boat and walk-in hunting access. A small boat, canoe or layout blind can reach hidden hot spots.
- Bring waders or knee boots to access marsh hunting areas on foot.
- Retriever dogs are useful for recovering downed ducks from lakes and ponds.
- Opt for steel shot shells in 12 or 20 gauge rather than 10 gauge cannons.
- Pick shells for specific hunting scenarios like open water diver rigs or timber duck payload loads
- Practice safety! Public areas may have high hunting pressure. Be visible and alert.
Hunting the peak migration when fresh ducks move through gives you the best chance at success. But don’t forget about resident ducks that offer opportunities before and after the major flights arrive.
Conclusion
Kansas offers a diversity of public lands and habitats that attract ducks migrating through the Central Flyway. Top duck hunting locations include Cheyenne Bottoms WA, Marais des Cygnes WA, and reservoirs like Perry and Marion. Prime hunting times occur during the early November peak migration, but don’t overlook early teal season in September or late season hunts in December and January. Dress for the elements, scout hunting areas thoroughly and time your hunts for frontal passages and migration pushes to experience the best Kansas duck hunting has to offer!