Duck season opens; drought a concern

Kansas duck season opened Saturday in the High Plains Zone, and waterfowl hunters in the rest of the state are eagerly awaiting the opening of the other duck seasons later this month.

While migrating waterfowl numbers appear to be high this year, the Sunflower State is short on water in many areas.

Cheyenne Bottoms in central Kansas is in good shape, as is Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

But in the rest of central and western Kansas, the ongoing drought has impacted water conditions.

In the east, the state has had good rainfall, and many wetlands are in prime condition. Even with this mixed outlook for wetlands, good hunting should be found in many areas.

The daily bag limit for ducks is five. This bag may include no more than two scaup, two redheads and two wood ducks. In addition, only one duck from the following group may be included in the daily bag – hen mallard, pintail, canvasback or mottled duck.