Below is a list of the official dates for deer season this year…we hope you can make it out!

• Youth and Disability: Sept.10 – Sept. 18, 2011
• Muzzleloader: Sept. 19 – Oct. 2, 2011
• Archery: Sept. 19 – Dec. 31, 2011
• Early Firearm (DMU 19 only): Oct. 8 – Oct.16, 2011
• Regular Firearm: Nov. 30 – Dec. 11, 2011
• Extended Firearms Whitetail Antlerless-Only: Jan.1 – Jan.8, 2012
• Extended Archery Whitetail Antlerless-Only (DMU 19): Jan. 9 – Jan. 31, 2012
• Special Extended Firearm Whitetail Antlerless-Only: Jan.9- Jan.15, 2012 (Open for units 7, 8 and 15 only)
• Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

For applications and fees visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at their website:  http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Hunting/Applications-and-Fees

• Regular (firearm/archery): April 11 – May 31, 2012
• Archery-Only : April 1 – 10, 2012
• Youth/Disabled : April 1 – 10, 2012
• Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
• Legal Equipment: long, recurve or compound bows and shotguns and muzzleloading shotguns 20 gauge or larger using shot sizes 2 through 9. Crossbows are legal during April 11 – May 31 season only.
• Limit: Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is eligible for one second turkey game tag. Spring game tags are valid for Units 2 and 3 ONLY.

Visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks web page for permits applications, fee schedules and deadlines.  http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Hunting/Applications-and-Fees/Turkey

Lake Perry is known for its Crappie!  Come out and enjoy the fishing!

We have been seeing this beautiful Indigo Bunting at our jelly feeder as well as an Orchard Oriole or two!

Whether you sail or power boat, you will love Lake Perry!

Click map to download full-size PDF

Perry Lake is abounding with trails of all varieties. Visitors from all over the world relish the hiking trails, mountain bike trail, and equestrian trails found throughout the lake area. The heavily wooded area is ideal for those wishing to enjoy the true outdoor experience. As always, remember to adhere to the hiker’s motto “pack out what you pack in”. Planning is an essential part of the trail experience so consider the following guidelines:

• Take plenty of water and food
• Wear long-sleeved clothing and use hiking boots
• Wear approved safety gear
• Wear appropriate sun protection

Perry Project staff constructed the Delaware Marsh in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. A low profile earthen fill levee was designed and built to catch natural runoff from the surrounding grasslands. Mounds of soil were placed in the middle of the wetland to provide nesting habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds.

Delaware Marsh Trail offers hikers a scenic hike through a wetlands ecosystem. The 1.75-mile self-guided hiking trail begins to the west of the parking area and migrates through interpretive stations along the way. Blue blazes mark the trail. Please click on the trail stops below for pictures of the trail!

The Perry Lake Hiking trail was one of the first National Recreation Trails in Kansas. Development of the trail was accomplished with guidance of the Kansas Trails Council and the council continues to provide volunteer labor for trail maintenance.

Trail length is approximately 30 miles, with several access points along the way. The trail begins at Slough Creek Park and extends in a continuous loop ending at Slough Creek Park. Hiking between Slough Creek Park and Longview Park is relatively flat. Segments between the Old Quarry Road and the Old Military Trail campground area offer more challenging terrain. Hikers are advised to take plenty of water, food, first aid supplies, toilet items, and most of all a camera for the gorgeous scenic overlooks. Click on the map below for topography and points of interest.

Thunder Ridge Trail is located in Slough Creek Park. The trail offers visitors a self-guided hike with thirty stations on its two and a half miles of trail. Thunder Ridge boasts a variety of ecosystems to view on the trail. Trail spurs offer easy access to several of the camping loops within Slough Creek Park.

White blazes designate the main trail and yellow spurs indicate the spur trails to the camping loops. A trail brochure is available by contacting the Information Center.

There are two trailheads for the Perry Lake Equestrian Trail. They are located at Horse Trail Campground (Perry State Park) and at Thompsonville Park (Corps of Engineers managed). Most of the trail is located within Perry State Park and Rock Creek Park. Nearly 25 miles of the trail extends in a continuous loop throughout the area. Development and maintenance of the trial has been accomplished through the efforts of several equestrian groups.

White or red flags serve to blaze the trail. Trails located in the State Park area are suitable for the average horse and rider. The trail located in adjacent Rock Creek Park covers extremely rough terrain and is recommended for experienced riders. Riders are encouraged to remember the following guidelines:

• Ride on the designated trail only
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail
• Do not ride on paved roads or shoulders of paved roads
• Horses are only allowed in the Horse Trail Campground and trailheads
• Please dispose of animal waste in provided cans when using Thompsonville Park Trailhead

The Perry Lake Mountain Bike Trail is located at Perry State Park. The trail was created for the purpose of having a competitive level bike trail in north east Kansas. Planning of the trail started in 1995 with the initial trail clearing beginning in the spring of 1996. Volunteers with the Kansas Trails Council accomplished all labor needed for establishing the trail.

The trail is a single tier stacked loop trail totaling 15 miles in length. Most of the trail is considered to be moderate to difficult. The trail consists of many hills, tight turns, off camber sections, fast trails and technical rocky sections. Individual sections of the trail are marked with names corresponding to the map and blazed in blue and white. The Blue sections are farther up hill from the lake and the White sections are closer to the water. In general, the White is more technical than the Blue. Some areas of the Blue are still considered difficult. Basic descriptions of each section should help users prepare themselves for their activity. It is the responsibility of the trail user to know where they are, and how to get back.

Skyline- Blue. Easy/Moderate. 3 mile loop starts and ends at trail head. This loop connects the 3 hill tops in the Delaware area of the State Park and accesses other sections of the trail.

Wild West - White. Easy/Moderate. 1 mile section connects trailhead to intersection of Great White and Skyline.

Great White – White. Difficult. 2 mile loop descends below skyline with many rocky steep sections.

Mad Mile – White. Difficult. 1 mile loop descends below Skyline. Long rocky decent and climb back to Skyline.

Blackfoot – Blue. Difficult. 2.5 mile section has several steep switch backs that make it more difficult than other blue sections, otherwise it is a moderate section. This section ends where the trail crosses a service road. Several unmarked trails that short cut downhill to Logan’s run.

Logan’s Run – White. Moderate/Difficult. 2 mile section runs parallel to Blackfoot but closer to shore. Mostly steep off camber section that ends at service road. Several unmarked trails short cut uphill to Blackfoot.

Twin Peaks – Blue. Moderate. 2 mile section between service road and abandoned asphalt camp road in Grasshopper Point camp ground. Rolling climbs some technical terrain.

Copper Head – White. Difficult 1.5 mile section between service road and abandoned asphalt camp road in Grasshopper Point camp ground. Lots of rocky off camber terrain.

Kid Rock – 1/4 mile self-contained, very easy loop for the kids, located at the trail head.

Please consider the following items when using the trail:

• Carry proper supplies for your ride
• Bring plenty of water, there is no water available on the trail
• Know your skill level
• Stay on marked trails only
• Pack out what you pack in
• Downhill riders should yield the right of way to uphill riders

The Perry Lake ATV and Motorcycle Trail encompasses over 140 acres of easy to difficult terrain. The Perry Lake ATV and Motorcycle Trail was officially recognized as a ride area in 1988 when a cooperative volunteer agreement was reached with the Kansas All Terrain Vehicle Association for maintenance and management of the trail area. Soon after, volunteers built unloading/loading ramps, accomplished tree plantings, and outlined the perimeter with fencing.

In 2002, a partnership agreement was reached between Hamm Companies, the Kansas ATV Association, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to renovate the ride area using a Recreational Trail Grant administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Recent renovation of the area included a parking area, establishment of a Children’s Ride Area, and a new vault toilet. Volunteers contributed nearly $24,000 of labor to improve trails, renovate the perimeter fence, and add benches around the parking area. In 2003, the partners welcomed the addition of a local motorcycle chapter to the partnership agreement. Riders will soon enjoy the addition of another vault toilet, a picnic shelter, creek crossings, and tree plantings around the parking area. A perimeter road will also be constructed for emergency and maintenance access. A sediment control structure will be constructed to reduce downstream sediment releases from the ride area.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has the following rules in effect for the ride area:

1. ATV’s & Motorcycles Only
2. An ATV is a motorized vehicle having a maximum width of 50 inches, designed for off road use, with handle bars for steering, and a seat that is straddled by the operator.
3. ATV’s & Motorcycles must have functioning brakes, muffler, & spark arrester.
4. Loading amp; unloading of ATV’s & motorcycles permitted only in the parking area.
5. Speed limit in the parking area is idle speed.
6. DOT approved helmets required for all riders & passengers.
7. One rider per ATV/Motorcycle.
8. Riding out of bounds, on maintained roadways/right-of-ways, in streams, and in other unauthorized areas is prohibited.
9. No alcoholic beverages or firearms in the riding area.
10. Operation of ATV’s/motorcycles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
11. No overnight parking or camping.
12. The riding & parking lot area is closed at dusk.
13. ATV area is subject to closure during wet conditions or special events.

Violation of the above rules may result in loss of riding privileges and/or fines.

NOTICE: ATV Trail will be closed during wet conditions.

Please visit the Daily Lake Information Link for current status of the Trail.