Rice County KS – Waterfowl Wetlands

This property features +/-78 acres with a recently enhanced natural pond, slough and waterway specifically designed and built to attract waterfowl. Located less than 11 miles (as the duck flies) from Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and less than 17 miles from Cheyenne Bottoms, this parcel is in the bullseye of the Central Flyway. Thick grass and cottonwood lowlands add to the excellent habitat ensuring a well-rounded recreational property. Land When looking for the perfect waterfowl property you need one thing above all else….a sustainable water source. This property has proven to hold water through some of the driest months over the last couple of years. The groundwater table on the eastern portion of the property often seems to be just beneath the soles of your boots. Just recently, the natural springs and bloated soils made for a perfect enhanced wetlands project, in which a pond was enlarged, and a long slough was shaped and defined creating an inviting waterfowl habitat. The earth that was removed to create the pond and slough was then used to create an elevated roadway, helping to ensure easy access to and from your blind or spread. There are even two turn-around spots and plenty of room for trailers, ATVs or any other equipment you may need while setting up for the hunt. The pond sits in the shadow of large cottonwood trees and is the culmination of a waterway that makes its way onto the property from the south and catches flowing runoff. Having both the runoff and alluvial water is surely the secret to the pond and slough’s success. The waterway is filled with the cottonwood trees, cedars and wetland grasses and provide excellent cover for the whitetail deer. The north end of the property is bordered by an old railroad easement that has largely been filled with cedar trees and brush, creating a nearby wildlife sanctuary. The western end of parcel sits low and is quite flat, adding to the property’s ability to hold surface water. In dry times you can see the remnants of large, calcium stained puddles. In rainy times, this area too, becomes a marsh, adding to the allure of migratory birds. Recreation This property offers opportunities to hunt a large number of species of ducks and geese over water, accommodating all kinds of winds and weather patterns.  Blinds can easily be constructed facing north, south, east or west. Currently, the wetland grasses and cattails are thick enough along the banks of the water to offer plenty of cover. While the focal point of this property is certainly going to be the newly enhanced water features and their ability to support some epic waterfowl hunts in the middle of one of America’s most prominent and sought after flyways, but that is not where the adventure ends. There are some big Kansas whitetail deer that make their home on this property and a nice population of quail and pheasants can be found on the grounds too. The quail whistles can be heard in the timbered bottoms and the springtime pheasant cackles radiate from the thick cover of the native grasses. A large contingent of dove can also be found working the pond edges and grasslands as they move through the area in the early fall. Finally, small game and predators are also available to hunt on this one. This will make a great all around hunting property with tremendous opportunity for waterfowl, or it would also be a wonderful compliment to a recreational portfolio. Agriculture A portion of the property is fenced and could be utilized for livestock grazing. The property has not had cattle or livestock on it for some time and the grass is currently thick and lush. Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources Water rights expected to transfer to buyer. Mineral rights expected to transfer to buyer. Region & Climate Central Kansas experiences all four seasons with winter lows in the single digits and summer highs in the triple digits. The area receives 28 inches of rain each year, on average and an additional 14 inches of snow. Each year sees 205 sunny days and like most of Kansas, there is typically a breeze pushing or pulling in the next weather system, which can be helpful in making plans for an upcoming hunt.         Location This property is located in Rice County, Kansas right in the Central Flyway and only a handful of miles from two of the largest government managed inland marshes in America. The city of Lyons, Kansas sits just 5 miles to the east and has a full assortment of ammenities including grocery, restaurants, lodging, hardware stores and medical facilities. The property is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Wichita’s Eisenhower National Airport.