Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area News
Area News
The river boat ramp has been completed and is open for use. The ramp may be temporarily unusable after high water events due to excessive silt. The ramp may be closed for several days in October or November to pump water into the adjacent wetland.
U.S. Highway 69 construction is nearly completed. The wildlife area can be accessed by exiting Highway 69 at the K52 [Butler] and 1350 Road exits. Waterfowl hunters must exit at K52 to register at area headquarters before hunting.
Waterfowl hunters will notice that most of Unit C-South has been planted with corn. This unit needed soil disturbance to remove undesired plants and promote desired species. Disking by Department personnel using area equipment is expensive in terms of labor and funds. The unit was rented to a private farmer who disked the unit, planted corn, and sprayed to kill any re-sprouting undesired plants. Consequently, the farmer is entitled to the entire corn crop. When conditions allow harvest, the Department will purchase a portion (about 25%) of the crop to be left standing. After the farmer harvests his share of the grain, we will flood the unit for hunting. Weather patterns need to improve to allow the unit to dry enough to be harvested. If wet weather persists, corn may not be harvested until very late in the season.
Printable Version