Pratt ? Kansas duck seasons are split into several different segments and divided into three different zones the High Plains, Early and Late zones.

While this may seem complicated, the system is designed to provide maximum opportunity for hunters.

“It is understandable that questions arise regarding zones, splits, and the timing of the waterfowl season,” Wildlife and Parks official Marvin Kraft said. “Kansas has diverse waterfowl habitat, and this diverse habitat, combined with the prolonged migration of waterfowl into Kansas, offers hunters a wide range hunting season dates.”

Within the Late Zone, there are a number of hunters who place high value on hunting for early migrating ducks during October.

Many of these early hunters are located between Wichita, McPherson, Great Bend and Pratt. This area has a large number of shallow marshes attractive to early migrants. However, it also has creeks, rivers, reservoirs and the Quivira NWR, which are major wintering areas for mallards.

As a result, hunters in this area desire early as well as late hunting opportunity. In addition, some hunters in northeast Kansas place a high value on October hunting.

Southeast likes late

At the same time, a large portion of southeast Kansas has very few early migrating ducks, so hunters in this region naturally prefer mid- to late-November, December and January waterfowl seasons.

“With a 74-day season,” Kraft said, “the Late Zone Oct. 26 opener satisfies most of those individuals who desire to hunt ducks early. By splitting the season five days, we can run the season until Jan. 12, which keeps late season hunters happy.”

The five-day break allows Wildlife and Parks to stretch the season and satisfy both groups of hunters.

“We could set the first segment earlier, during early or mid October, and have a longer break,” Kraft said, “but by setting it as late as is acceptable to those who want the early hunt, we increase the odds that ducks will be available in areas of the state where the migration is slightly later.”

Zoning and splitting seasons also increase hunting opportunity, according to Kraft.

“Splits, or breaks allow us to stretch the season and provide some hunting opportunity to the full range of waterfowl hunters,” Kraft said. “To a certain extent, they also provide a rest period for ducks, which allows numbers to build and provides productive hunting when the season reopens.”

Splits confusing

Splits can be confusing to hunters, particularly if ducks and geese are separated, and each has its own opening and closing dates.

A few years back, Wildlife and Parks conducted a survey of waterfowl hunters that included a space where hunters could add written comments. Confusion over splits was the prevailing comment.

Kraft wasn’t surprised.

“One of the first things I learned many years ago when surveying duck hunters was that many disliked splits and preferred straight seasons,” he said.

The problem, he said, is that some hunters want straight seasons to start in October while some prefer November and others December.