U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism 24141 Kansas Hwy 52 Pleasanton, KS 66075 913 / 352-8956 www.fws.gov/refuge/marais_des_cygnes Marais des U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service www.fws.gov Cygnes For Refuge Information 1 800 / 344-WILD National Wildlife Refuge Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area and Wildlife Area 16382 Vail Road Pleasanton, KS 66075 913 / 352-8941

Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism www.ksoutdoors.com

For State relay service TTY / Voice: 711

June 2013

Pelicans on Unit G, Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area. © Mike Blair “Marais des Cygnes” is French for “marsh of swans”; however, the name is actually a translation of an Osage Indian name for the region, “Mixa-ckau-tse”, which means “where white swans are plentiful.” Trumpeter and tundra swans are now rare visitors, but this area is still well known for its abundance and variety of wildlife.

Wood duck drake © Mike Blair Welcome Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Wildlife Bottomland hardwood forest Refuge (NWR), managed by the U.S. Management on protection and restoration is the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the the Refuge and primary management activity on adjoining Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Wildlife Area the refuge and is an important goal Area, managed by the Kansas of the wildlife area as well. Over Department of Wildlife, Parks and 80 percent of bottomland hardwood This blue goose, Tourism (KDWPT), encompass a forests have been destroyed designed by J.N. diversity of wildlife habitat. The two nationally. Remaining tracts are “Ding” Darling, areas are nearly equal in size and often fragmented and relatively is the symbol together protect 15,000 acres of land small. In addition, dams, levees, of the National along the Marais des Cygnes River channelization of river systems, and Wildlife Refuge in east-central Kansas. Marais des increasing water needs for municipal, System. Cygnes Wildlife Area was industrial, and agricultural use have established by the State greatly changed the natural flooding of Kansas in 1951, primarily for the necessary to sustain healthy management of waterfowl. Marais flood-plain forests. des Cygnes NWR was established in 1992 by Congress for the protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood forests. Together, the two areas complement each other and provide a variety of habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for the public.

The Marais des Cygnes River was the heart of the Osage Indian

Nation’s hunting grounds. The © Karl Karrow Osage people were very reliable Bottomland Annual floods supply nutrients to fur trappers, and thus, frequently hardwood forest flood-plain forests, recharge forested traded with the French trappers and wetlands, and support the growth of explorers in the area. A number plants adapted to flood-plain habitat. of trading posts were established Forests slow flood waters, trap along the river, including one that suspended sediments, and provide eventually became the nearby town habitat for many species of wildlife. of Trading Post. Some wildlife species, such as red- shouldered hawks, broadhead skinks, The refuge and wildlife area are both and flat floater mussels, are rarely named for the Marais des Cygnes found in habitat other than flood- River, the primary natural feature of plain forest and wetlands. Bottomland the region. Annual floods profoundly forest restoration includes tree or influence the wetlands nut planting, restoration of forested and bottomland hardwood forest wetlands, and modification of forest found at both sites. Water pumped composition. from the river also helps maintain the managed wetlands. Wetland management is the highest priority on the wildlife area and receives high consideration on the refuge as well. Water level manipulation within wetland units is the primary management tool on the wildlife area. ©Mike Blair Rock riffles on the Marais des Selected marshes are dewatered, hunting seasons. Freedom from Cygnes River allowing annual plants to germinate disturbance is critical to waterfowl and grow. Some marshes may be and eagles, as well as other wildlife, burned, disked, or mowed to whenever food is less available and encourage the growth of desired energy requirements are high. plants or inhibit undesired species. These units are then flooded in the Diverse Wildlife The biological diversity of this region fall to provide habitat for migratory Abounds is tremendous due to the meeting and wintering wetland wildlife. of the extensive tallgrass prairie, Marshes that are not dewatered located to the west, and the oak- produce marsh plants and harbor hickory forests, to the east. High- fish, amphibians, and invertebrates quality stands of bottomland sought by wetland wildlife. hardwood forest, upland oak-hickory forest, tallgrass prairie, and seasonal Native prairie and croplands are and permanent wetlands are found managed on both areas. Native throughout the refuge and the prairie protection and restoration wildlife area. These unique areas activities include prescribed fire, provide habitat for many species mowing, control of invading non- that are considered threatened or native plants, and planting of native endangered, such as broadhead grasses and forbs. Crop fields are skinks, spring peepers, flat floater managed to provide food for mussels, and Mead’s milkweed. migrating waterfowl and upland wildlife. The large marshes on the wildlife area attract thousands of ducks and © Bruce Freske Purple Closed areas on both the refuge geese each fall. Large numbers of coneflower and the wildlife area serve as other water birds, including white sanctuaries where wildlife can pelicans, egrets, herons, rails, and

feed and rest with little human © Mike Blair shorebirds can also be seen. disturbance. Spring migrants need Mallard drake to feed undisturbed to prepare for Historically, trumpeter and tundra reproduction and their journey to swans were notable features of the breeding areas. Summer resident region, but are now rare visitors. waterfowl and wading birds require Unfortunately, intensive hunting by protected areas to forage and rear fur traders and settlers for skins and their young. Closed areas also provide meat greatly reduced numbers of both safe havens for fall migrants during species of swan by the late 1800s. Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and Wildlife Area

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Wattles Road Wattles Vernon Road Vernon Tundra swan populations have Enjoy Your Visit Recreational activities such as recovered much more quickly from fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, over-hunting than trumpeter swan and photography may be enjoyed populations. This is largely because on the refuge and wildlife area. tundra swan nesting habitat is located in the relatively undisturbed Limited hunting is allowed on the Canadian Arctic rather than the refuge for deer and turkey during upper Midwest, where extensive specific State seasons. Quail, rabbit, drainage of wetlands has eliminated squirrel, and waterfowl hunting much of the nesting habitat for opportunities are also available. trumpeter swans. Only the Atlantic and Pacific coast populations of Hunting on the wildlife area is tundra swans have recovered. The primarily for waterfowl. Over 2,500 Gulf Coast population, which once acres of marsh provides diverse migrated through Missouri and waterfowl habitat for hunting Kansas and wintered on the Gulf opportunities. Squirrel, deer, and Coast of Texas, no longer exists. turkey hunting opportunities are also available.

Several ponds on the refuge provide fishing opportunities for sunfish, bass, and crappie. The Marais des Cygnes River, which runs through both the refuge and wildlife area, has channel and blue catfish as well as white crappie, white bass, and walleye.

Both the refuge and wildlife area have service and levee roads that provide easy access for hiking and wildlife observation. These roads vary in length from one-quarter of a mile to 1¼ miles and are not open to public vehicle traffic.

© Mike Blair Bird, amphibian, and reptile Flying squirrel in a tree hole checklists may be obtained from either the refuge or the wildlife area offices, or they can be found Bottomland hardwood forests and on the refuge website listed on the upland oak-hickory forest on both back of this brochure. the refuge and wildlife area host an impressive migration of warblers Linn County Park, located six miles in the spring. Nearly 30 different north of the refuge and wildlife area, species of warblers can be found provides cabin and facilities for here! Other interesting species camping. Food, lodging and fuel are found in the area are river otter, available locally. bobcat, wood and cotton rat, hooded merganser, cerulean warbler, scissor- tailed flycatcher, loggerhead shrike, red-shouldered hawk, paddlefish, and copperhead snake. Hunting Deer and spring turkey hunting is Hunting and fishing regulations open only to those possessing a valid generally follow State regulations. Refuge Access Permit. Contact the Please review the Marais des Cygnes refuge office for more information National NWR Hunting and Fishing on obtaining an access permit. Wildlife Refuge Regulations brochure for additional Regulations information. Hunting for squirrel, rabbit, waterfowl, bobwhite quail, coot, rail, Boating Outboard motor use is restricted snipe, woodcock, mourning dove, and to the westernmost 5½ mile section fall turkey is allowed on the refuge. of the Marais des Cygnes River. Limited hunting for deer and spring Non-motorized boats and electric turkey is also available. trolling motors may be used on all open portions of the Refuge including Trapping, hunting, or running dogs the eastern 4 mile section of the for furbearers and coyotes is Marais des Cygnes River. Refuge prohibited. property boundaries are located at the center of the river. Where Decoys, tree stands and portable sections of the river border private blinds must be removed each day. property, only the half of the river adjacent to public property is open Firearms using centerfire and to public use. rimfire ammunition are prohibited at all times. Camping Overnight camping and building of fires is prohibited. Hunting with the aid of or distribution of feeds, salt or minerals Fishing Fishing is allowed in accordance is prohibited. with State seasons and creel limits. Discharge of firearms within 150 Firearms Persons possessing, transporting, yards of any residence or other or carrying firearms on National occupied building is prohibited. Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State Spotlighting on the refuge is and local law. Persons may only use prohibited. (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR Animals Molesting, harassing, or injuring any 27.42 and specific refuge regulations and Plants animal or plant, except fish and game in 50 CFR Part 32). taken in season, is prohibited.

Pets Pets must be leashed except when Harvest of berries, mushrooms, and used for hunting during appropriate nuts for personal use is allowed. hunting seasons. Artifacts and Artifacts and historic items are Personal Closed areas are closed to all public Historic Items protected on refuge lands by federal Conduct entry unless specifically opened for a law. It is unlawful to excavate or special event. remove these objects from the refuge. Use of the open portion of the refuge for nature observation and other Mechanized/ The use of ATV’s, bicycles or other related activities is allowed. Motorized forms of transportation other than Vehicles by foot is prohibited. Blocking gates or access roads is prohibited. Hunting and fishing regulations Tree stands may not be placed more generally follow State regulations than 14 days prior to the season and established by KDWPT. Regulations must be removed within 14 days of Wildlife Area specific to the Wildlife Area are as the end of the season. Portable blinds Regulations follows. may not be left unattended overnight. Only two blinds or stands Motorized Motor vehicles are restricted to are allowed per hunter. Blinds and Vehicles public roads and parking lots. ATVs stands must be clearly marked with are prohibited. Do not park in front the owners name and address or of gates or access roads. Some roads KDWPT number. are closed seasonally. Natural blinds, constructed of Boating Boats may be used for hunting and materials or debris present on the fishing. Check posted regulations site may be used. regarding motor use. No person shall place, deposit, Camping Primitive camping is allowed at expose or scatter bait for hunting. designated sites. Fires must be contained in fire rings, grills, or Decoys may not be left unattended stoves. No amenities are provided. overnight.

Fishing Fishing is allowed year-round in the Personal Closed areas are closed to all river and streams, and from April 15 Conduct public entry unless specifically through September 15 in marsh units opened for a special event. except in closed areas. Animals Harvest of berries, nuts, and Salvage of fish may be allowed by and Plants mushrooms, and collecting of shed posted notice during dewatering of deer antlers, for non-commercial marshes. use, is allowed.

Firearms Pistols and center-fire and rim-fire Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate in rifles are permitted. Target practice Information and benefit from programs and is prohibited. activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and of KDWPT is Hunting Nontoxic shot is required for all available to all individuals regardless shotgun hunting. of physical or mental ability. Dial 711 for a free connection to the State Waterfowl hunters must register at relay service for TTY and voice calls the wildlife area headquarters before to and from the speech and hearing and report harvest after hunting impaired. For more information or each day. Daily permits are free. to address accessibility needs on the National Wildlife Refuge, contact Hunting from dikes, levees, or roads staff at 913 / 352-8956, or the U.S. is prohibited. Dept. of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street NW, Access permits are required for Washington, D.C. 20240. For more some deer hunting seasons. Contact information or accessibility needs on the wildlife area office staff for the state wildlife area, please contact details and permits. the staff at 913 / 352-8941, or KDWPT, 1020 S Kansas, Topeka, Commercial guides are required to KS, 66612. obtain a permit.