| Waterfowl numbers | ATTENTION: All hunters MUST check-in / check-out when hunting. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials to check in and out. 16 January 2025: *****THE 2024 - 2025 LPEZ DUCK SEASON IS CLOSED FOR THE YEAR***** The second split of whitefront season opens 25 January 2025. Goose seasons close 16 February 2025. No waterfowl observed this week. The wetlands are 100% frozen. See water level information below. All activities in the north and south refuges in the Big Basin are prohibited. |
| Current Information | Be aware of three new regulations in effect at McPherson Valley Wetlands: (1) The Big Basin has been designated as "youth only" during the youth and military waterfowl weekend, (2) the use of motorized boats is prohibited, and (3) centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited. |
| Water levels | ICE COVER IS CURRENTLY AT 100%. The wetlands received 4.33" of rain in November, and conditions have improved. Scouting will still be critical in determining which wetlands have water. Groundwater pumping efforts are complete in the Big Basin, as our allotment of water for the season has been pumped. At the Little Sinkhole, the pump station has finally been repaired. Big Basin: Improved conditions, with water in a good share of the wetlands that are open to public hunting, and decent water in the refuges. Chain of Lakes: Water levels have improved in the western unit. Be aware that the vast majority of Steel's Pond on the east boundary of the eastern unit is privately owned. Little Sinkhole Marshes: A good share of the wetlands in this unit now have huntable water. |
| Hunting conditions | We will continue to roller chop / manipulate vegetation to create hunting spots as the season moves forward. Waterfowl food production (native moist soil vegetation) has been exceptionally good across the area this year. The food is here, so if we get continue getting rain, conditions will improve even more. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. |
| Comments | **ATTENTION: **THERE IS A "NO TRASH POLICY" IN EFFECT AT MCPHERSON VALLEY WETLANDS. PLEASE CARRY OUT WHATEVER YOU CARRY IN, INCLUDING EMPTY HULLS AND OTHER TRASH. PLEASE TRY TO LEAVE YOUR HUNTING SPOT AS CLEAN OR CLEANER THAN IT WAS WHEN YOU ARRIVED. THANKS!!! **REFUGE AREAS: THE SOUTH REFUGE AREA IN THE BIG BASIN IS OFF-LIMITS TO ALL ACTIVITIES ALL YEAR LONG, AND THIS INCLUDES DUCK HUNTING. THERE IS NO HUNTING OR PUBLIC ACCESS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED IN THE SOUTH REFUGE IN THE BIG BASIN!! THE NORTH REFUGE IN THE BIG BASIN IS A REFUGE-IN-TIME AND IS ONLY OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCESS FROM APRIL 1ST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH, THEN IT IS CLOSED TO ALL ACTIVITIES FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO MARCH 31ST. The Little Sinkhole/Farland Lake marsh unit is included in the EARLY low-plains duck zone (as is the rest of MPWL). All shotgun hunters at McPherson Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds. Throughout all units, please be mindful of farmers and big equipment operators needing to access and maintain roads. Park in designated parking areas when possible, and not on the roadsides. |
