Marais Des Cygnes

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and Wildlife Area "Marais des Cygnes" is French for "marsh of swans." This 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, managed by the U.S. Fish Management on protection and restoration is the and Wildlife Service, and the adjoining the Refuge and primary management activity on the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, the Wildlife Area Refuge and is an important goal of managed by the Kansas Department the Wildlife Area as well. Over 80 of Wildlife and Parks, encompass a percent of bottomland hardwood forests diversity of wildlife habitat. The two have been destroyed nationally. This blue goose, areas are nearly equal in size and Remaining tracts are often fragmented designed by together protect 15,000 acres of land and relatively small. In addition, J.N. "Ding" along the Marais des Cygnes River dams, levees, channelization of river Darling, has in east-central Kansas. Marais des systems, and increasing water needs become the Cygnes Wildlife Area was established for municipal, industrial, and symbol of the by the State of Kansas in 1051 primarily agricultural use have greatly changed National Wildlife for the management of waterfowl. the natural flooding necessary to Refuge System. Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife sustain healthy floodplain forests. Refuge was established in 1902 by Congress for the protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood forests. Together, the two areas compliment each other and provide a variety of habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for the public. The bison was The Marais des Cygnes River was selected as the the heart of the Osage Indian Nation's symbol of hunting grounds. The Osage people 2 the Kansas were very reliable fur trappers and T. Department thus frequently traded with the French. s of Wildlife and A number of trading posts were established along the river, including Bottomland Parks to pay hardwood forest. Annual floods supply nutrients to tribute to this one that eventually became the nearby floodplain forests, recharge forested prairie resident. town of Trading Post. wetlands, and favor the growth of plants adapted to floodplain habitat. The Refuge and Wildlife Area are both Forests slow flood waters, trap named I'm-the Marais des Cygnes River. suspended sediments, and provide the primary natural feature of the habitat for many species of wildlife. region. Annual floods profoundly Some wildlife species, such as influence the wetlands and bottomland red-shouldered hawks, broad-headed hardwood forest found at both sites. skinks, and flat floater mussels, are Water pumped from the river also helps rarely found in habitat other than maintain managed wetlands. flood-plain forest and wetlands. Bottomland forest restoration includes tree or nut planting, restoration of forested wetlands, and modification of forest composition. 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. tjj pa $ 9 o Rock riffles on Selected marshes are dewatered Diverse Wildlife The biological diversity of this region the Mara is des allowing; annual plants to germinate Abounds is tremendous due to the meeting Cygnes River. and grow7. Some marshes may be burned, of the extensive tallgrass prairie in disked, or mowed to encourage the the Kansas Flint Hills, located to the growth of desired plants or inhibit west, and the oak-hickory forests undesired species. These units are then of the Missouri Ozarks, to the east. flooded in the fall to provide habitat High-quality stands of bottomland for migratory and wintering wetland hardwood forest, upland oak-hickory wildlife. Marshes that are not dewatered forest, tallgrass prairie, and seasonal produce marsh plants and harbor and permanent wetlands are found fish, amphibians, and invertebrates throughout both the Refuge and the sought by wetland wildlife. Wildlife Area. These unique areas provide habitat for many species Native prairie and croplands are that are considered threatened managed on both areas. Native prairie or endangered such as bald eagles, protection and restoration activities peregrine falcons, broad-head skinks, include prescribed fire, mowing, control of spring peepers, flat floater mussels, invading non-native plants, and planting and Mead's milkweed. of native grasses and forbs. Cropfields are managed to provide food for migrating The large marshes on the Wildlife waterfowl and upland wildlife. Area attract thousands of ducks and geese each fall. Large numbers of "Closed Areas" on both the Refuge and other waterbirds, including white the Wildlife Area serve as sanctuaries pelicans, egrets, herons, rails, and where wildlife can feed and rest with shorebirds, can also be seen. little human disturbance. Spring migrants o Trumpeter and tundra swans were - need to feed undisturbed to prepare Mallard once a notable feature of the region but Prairie for reproduction and their journey to are now rare visitors. Unfortunately, drake coneflotcer breeding areas. Summer resident intensive hunting by fur traders and waterfowl and wading birds require settlers for skins and meat greatly protected areas to forage and rear young. reduced numbers of both species of Closed areas also provide safe havens swan by the late 1800's. for fall migrants dining hunting seasons. Freedom from disturbance is critical to waterfowl and eagles, as well as other wildlife, whenever food is less available and energy requirements are high. Tundra swan populations have Enjoy Your Visit Recreational activities such as fishing, recovered much more quickly from hunting, wildlife observation, and over-hunting than trumpeter swans. photography may be enjoyed on the This is largely because tundra swan Refuge and Wildlife Area. nesting habitat is located in the relatively undisturbed Canadian Arctic Hunting is allowed on the Refuge for rather than the upper Midwest, where deer during the archery season, and extensive drainage of wetlands has for turkey during the spring hunting eliminated much of the nesting season. Quail, rabbit, squirrel, and habitat for trumpeter swans. Only the waterfowl hunting opportunities are Atlantic and Pacific coast populations also available. of tundra swans have recovered. The Gulf Coast population, which once Hunting on the Wildlife Area is migrated through Missouri and Kansas primarily for waterfowl. Over 2,500 and wintered on the Gulf Coast of acres of marsh provides diverse Texas, no longer exists. waterfowl habitat for hunting opportunities. Squirrel, deer, and turkey hunting opportunities are also available. Several ponds on the Refuge provide fishing opportunities for sunfish, bass, and crappie. On the Wildlife Area, catfish, white bass, and crappie can be found in Unit G. The Marais des Cygnes River, which runs through both the Refuge and Wildlife Area, has flathead, channel, and blue catfish, as well as white crappie, white bass, and walleye. All listed species may be caught in both areas. Both the Refuge and Wildlife Area have service and levee roads that "3 provide easy access for hiking and - wildlife observation. These roads vary in length from one-quarter of a mile 0 to 1 'A miles and are not open to Flying nguirrcl in a tree hole. public vehicle traffic. Bird, amphibian, and reptile checklists Bottomland hardwood forest and may be obtained as separate brochures upland oak-hickory forest on both from either the Refuge or the Wildlife the Refuge and Wildlife Area host an Area offices or on the Refuge website impressive migration of warblers in listed on the back of this brochure. the spring. Nearly 30 different species of warblers can be found here! Other interesting species found in the area are river otter, bobcat, wood and cotton rat, hooded merganser, cerulean warbler, scissor-tailed flycatcher, loggerhead shrike, red-shouldered hawk, paddlefish, and copperhead snake. Local Linn County Park, located 5 miles Hunting Deer and spring turkey hunting is open Accommodations north of the Refuge and Wildlife Area, only to those possessing a valid Refuge provides facilities for camping. Access Permit. To apply for a Refuge Access Permit, call the Refuge office Food and gas are available in any day in February for spring turkey Pleasanton, Kansas, (5 miles south of permits, August for archery deer the Refuge and Wildlife Area, while permits, and November for antlerless lodging is available in Butler, Missouri, deer permits. (19 miles east) and Fort Scott, Kansas, (29 miles south). Trapping or hunting of furbearers and coyotes is prohibited. Running dogs for Refuge Hunting and fishing regulations furbearers and coyotes is also prohibited. Regulations generally follow statewide regulations including seasons and bag limits Blinds, tree stands, and steps may established by the Kansas Department not be fastened with any device which of Wildlife and Parks. Regulations is inserted into trees, except screws. specific to the Refuge are as follows. Construction of and hunting from illegal blinds is a violation. Motorized Motor vehicles, including ATV's, Vehicles are restricted to public roads and Decoys must be removed each day. parking lots. Do not block gates or access roads. Discharge of firearms within 150 yards of any residence or other occupied Boating Outboard motor use is restricted to building is prohibited. the westernmost bxl-> mile section of the Marais des Cygnes River. Non- Personal "Closed Areas" are closed to all public- motorized boats and electric trolling Fond net entry unless specifically opened for a motors may be used on all open special event. portions of the Refuge including the eastern 4 mile section of the Marais Disorderly conduct and leaving of des Cygnes River.

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