Jamestown Wildlife Area
Of the 5,124 acres of public hunting now available on the area, over 1,900 acres are wetlands. The marshes are very shallow and have accumulated silt from the Marsh Creek watershed. As a result, the Department has embarked on a multiple year renovation for the areas wetlands. Renovations to date have included new wetlands, new water control structures and renovation of existing wetlands by subdividing into units so water and vegetation can be managed more effectively. During renovation construction activities will impact and change uses of the area in the process of reaching the renovation goals. The goal of the renovation is to provide optimum wildlife habitat, improved user opportunities and play an important role in the overall Lower Republican River watershed management and life span of the marshes.
This area is located along a major migration route for the Central Flyway. The first waterfowl and shorebirds migrate through the area in late August. An 800-acre refuge is located at the north end of Gamekeeper Marsh. The refuge is closed to all activity from Oct. 1 through Mar. 1 except for the SPECIAL HUNTS conducted during hunting seasons. The refuge gives migratory birds a resting place and increases hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities on the area.
There are varieties of other wildlife habitats on the area. Upland birds and small game species use weeds, crop fields, grasses and shrubs, while big game prefers the timbered areas. The area offers excellent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife. Marsh Creek, Gamekeeper Dam, and Muskrat Landing are shallow boat landings for hunter access to waterfowl areas.
The limited public lands in Kansas require intensive wildlife management and some special restrictions. This area receives heavy hunting pressure. Wildlife population and hunter use surveys are conducted to evaluate management and the effects of heavy pressure on the area. Special regulations are in effect not only in the Gamekeeper Marsh Refuge but also some boating restrictions: In Marsh Creek Marsh boating is with hand or electric powered motors, NO gasoline motors are allowed; Only non-motorized boats are allowed in the Buffalo Creek Marshes, Puddler and Ringneck Marshes. Ringneck Marsh is a Youth/Mentor hunting area. It is restricted to Youths 17 years of age and under and their mentor(s) 18 years of age and older.
Click here for a Google Earth map of the area.
Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials.
Paper permits will no longer be available at the information centers.
Jamestown WA is a non-toxic shot only area.
Hunters need to register on-line to create an account at https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin. Login to the system using your licensing login credentials.
For more information on the construction taking place at Jamestown Wildlife Area, contact area staff at (785) 439-6243.
- Non-toxic shot required for all shotgun hunting.
- Electronic Daily hunt permits ARE REQUIRED for ALL hunting.
- Special hunts and Refuge areas are in effect Oct-1 - Jan 31.
- Trapping is by permit only. The permit may be obtained from the Lovewell Area Office.
- No trash receptacles are provide on the area. Please take your trash with you.
- All motorized vehicles MUST remain on maintained roadways or parking areas.
- NO ATV/UTV on Wildlife Area roads and trails
- Marsh Creek Marsh boating is with hand or electric powered motors, NO gasoline motors are allowed
- Only non-motorized boats are allowed in the Buffalo Creek Marshes, Puddler and Ringneck Marshes.
- Ringneck Marsh is a Youth/Mentor hunting area. It is restricted to Youths 17 years of age and under and their mentor(s) 18 years of age and older.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Jamestown Wildlife Area is a collection of historical wetlands and associated uplands that have been under state management since 1932. Jamestown's two larger marshes were one of the twelve wetlands(School Marshes) sold to provide funding for Emporia State Teachers College, now Emporia State University. Historically a "salty”, shallow, marshy area, in dry seasons salt was found where the water had been and when there was water an abundance of wildlife was found. The areas marshes attracted Native Americans, early settlers and were important to migrating herds of bison, flocks of waterfowl and other wildlife. Dams were constructed on the lower ends of both large marshes in the early 1900’s to provide a more reliable water supply for recreation.
- Type of Facility: Wildlife Viewing Area
- Location of Facility: -55.150 41.662
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- Type of Facility: Small Craft Launch Site/ Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 38.579 -54.346
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- Type of Facility: Small Craft Launch Site
- Location of Facility: 38.734 -53.261
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- Type of Facility: Small Craft Launch Site
- Location of Facility: 37.483 -54.782
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 40.999 -55.456
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 39.044 -53.549
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.657 -54.203
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: 39.825 -54.236
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| Waterfowl numbers | Duck numbers are increasing with this weather. Mostly Pintails and Teal with a good mix of Redheads, Gadwall, Shoveler and a few Mallards. REMEMBER: Hunters are REQUIRED to check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. |
| Water levels | Puddler Marsh: Full. Gamekeeper Marsh: Full; Gun Club West Marsh: Full Gun Club East: Full Greenwing Marsh; Full. Marsh Creek Marsh: Full, hunters need to be cautious of deep water (over 6') Buffalo Creek Marshes: North marsh is full, South marsh is full. Pintail Marsh: Dry - will need significant local rainfall and/or flooding to occur to fill. |
| Hunting conditions | Good - Moist soil production and abundant flooded vegetation. With the majority of pools full, hunters (and birds) will be able to spread out. Remember: NO ATV's are allowed on department lands and roads. THIS INCLUDES ARGO'S AND E-BIKES There is a no trash policy: If you take it in with you, please bring it out. This includes spent shotgun shells. THIS REGULATION WILL BE ENFORCED. ALL vehicles must remain on designated roads and parking areas. REFUGE IS CLOSED
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| Expected hunting success | Fair. The new birds are getting educated pretty quickly. Pressure depends on the day but overall, there is enough pressure to keep the birds in the refuge throughout the day. |
| Comments | We had issues last season with reckless boating in the early morning hours. Please remember to be cautious while running the boat channels, as there is little to no room for more than one boat at a time. We have had several near collisions and mishaps. Also remember, ALL boating regulations will be enforced. Navigation lights (red and green bow lights along with an all around white stern light, light bars and headlamps do not qualify), life jackets, passenger capacities and boat registrations (even lay-out boats with a motor) ARE required. We have also had issues with hunters playing loud music while motoring out and setting up. Please remember to be courteous of other hunters on the area. Not everyone wants to hear it. The MANDATORY electronic check system can be found on the GoOutdoorsKS app. or by following the link below and using your licensing login credentials.
Hunters are REQUIRED to check in AND OUT using the electronic permitting system. Hunters need to check-in / check-out by going to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Hunters need to make sure they have all the appropriate licenses and stamps for hunting waterfowl. The following are required: Kansas hunting license State waterfowl stamp Federal waterfowl stamp Kansas Harvest Information Program Stamp (HIP) RINGNECK MARSH IS DESIGNATED FOR YOUTH AND MENTORS ONLY. EACH HUNTER 16 YEARS AND OLDER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ONE OR MORE YOUTH UNDER 16 YEARS OLD. Marsh Creek Marsh is for non-gasoline powered boats or paddle-in / Walk-in only, this includes electric motor boats and boats with no motors. Gasoline engines are prohibited. Buffalo Creek & Pintail Marshes are for non-motorized boats and walk-in hunting only. HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :
THE REFUGE IS CLOSED THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2026. Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on! |