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Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
&
McPherson State Fishing Lake
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The prairie at Maxwell, seen from the observation tower
- All photos by Jim Mason
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The 4 1/2 square miles of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and adjacent
McPherson State Fishing Lake provide one of the best viewing opportunities in the state
for large mammals. |
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Today at Maxwell approximately 200 bison and 50 elk give visitors a
rare look into the past. The observation tower (red dot
on map below) is a good place to
scan the rolling hills for wildlife. |
Observation Tower at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge |
Visitors on the refuge are not allowed to leave the roadway by
vehicle or by foot. A portion of the road through the refuge is open range. If
bison are near the road, view them only from the safety of your vehicle.
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The bison can be seen up close from the tram.
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For a
modest cost the private group "Friends of Maxwell" offers guided tram
rides onto the Refuge to see the bison. These are available on most weekends and by
appointment otherwise. Call (620)
628-4455 or visit their web site listed below for
more information. Also see their
special event list. |
New calves are rusty brown in color.
They change to the darker adult color by fall.
Calves are born from late April through early June.
One of the most impressive times to experience the elk is during the
breeding season, or rut. From mid-September until mid-October the dominant bulls are
gathering cows into harems. Their bugling can be best heard on calm mornings and evenings.
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McPherson State Fishing Lake |
The area around McPherson State Fishing
Lake (46 surface acres) is ideal for prairie wildflowers. In May and June
there are impressive displays of yucca, spiderwort, yellow star-grass, catclaw sensitive
brier, purple prairie clover, coneflowers and the uncommon Virginia Tephrosia.
Abundant butterfly milkweed attract insects and butterflies, including the large, rare,
Regal Fritillary. |
An eastern bluebird "trail" of numerous nesting boxes
attached to the fence provides an opportunity to see these attractive birds. While
traveling the roads or exploring the prairie be alert for the plentiful ornate box
turtles. Lizards such as six-lined racerunners and legless slender glass lizards are also
found here. Common snakes include black rat snakes, gopher snakes, and prairie king
snakes.
At the southwest corner of the lake is the Gypsum Creek Nature Trail.
Watch for white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, and woodland birds.
Beaver sign is impressively abundant on this trail. If you walk slowly and quietly at
night and use a strong flashlight you may gain some insight into the secret life of the
largest Kansas rodent.
 | Picnic tables, Grills, Pit toilets, Boat ramp.
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 Primitive camping
only at the lake.
 Gypsum Creek Nature
Trail (3/4 mile one-way)
Click the icon to find a birding list for McPherson County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint
Hills, click here
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Directions:
From Canton (50 miles north of Wichita) travel 6 miles north on McPherson County 304
to Pueblo Road.
For a Google Map of this site,
click here. |
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of Maxwell Refuge
and McPherson State Fishing Lake is the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Contact them at (620) 628-4592
if you have specific questions about use or management of these sites.
You may download the KDWP brochure for Maxwell Wildlife
Refuge and McPherson State Fishing Lake from
their web site.
2,560 acres
The Friends of Maxwell
hosts several special events during the
year.
Here is the 2010 schedule!
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April 24 – Celebrate Earth Day! Cake & Coffee
at 10 AM
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April 25 – Spring Trail Ride: Arrive 9-9:30,
Ride out at 10, Back to camp for a buffalo lunch, Ride out again at 1 PM, Back
~3:30.
$35 per person. Phone 620-628-4455 to make your reservation.
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June 5 – Wildflower Tour: Begins at 10 AM
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June 12 - Wildflower Tour: Begins at 10 AM
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August 28 - Wildflower Tour: Begins at 10 AM
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September 4 - Wildflower Tour: Begins at 10
AM
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October 1-3 – Mountain Man Rendezvous
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November 17 – Buffalo Auction, 11 AM
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Top of page
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
©2010
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to Jim Mason
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