Once the Neosho River Valley was a rich mosaic of habitats, including prairie, wetlands and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian corridors. Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is protecting and restoring that habitat, providing a wildlife-rich environment. Located just to the west of one of the last and largest unplowed areas of tallgrass prairie, the 18,500-acre refuge is a complex of wetlands on the upstream portion of John Redmond Reservoir. Numerous ponds, shallow marshes and farmlands on the refuge provide important waterfowl habitat during spring and fall migrations. Hunters may hunt waterfowl south of the Neosho River and can expect to encounter common duck species of the Central Flyway, including mallard, gadwall and wigeon. Kansas is probably best known to hunters for its excellent white-tailed deer and turkey hunting, but public opportunities are rare in this state that has the fewest acres of public land. The refuge allows deer and turkey hunting during state seasons, although no rifles may be used during the firearms deer season.
