An abundance of mixed-bag waterfowling opportunities is available across Kansas this month -- and you might want to take advantage of them now. I'm not trying to sound full of gloom and doom, but for a number of reasons the future of duck and goose populations is uncertain.

You'll read more about those later.

First, let's cover some of the most important logistical details. Kansas has three hunting zones for waterfowl -- High Plains, Early and Late. The High Plains Zone boundary is easy to remember -- it includes everything in Kansas west of U.S. Highway 283, and continues west to the state's border with Colorado. Combined, the Early and Late zones encompass all of the Sunflower State east of U.S. 283, continuing east to the border with Missouri.

Involving a number of state and U.S. highways, and even Interstate 135 in McPherson County, the boundary between the Early and Late zones looks a lot like the intersection of two jigsaw-puzzle pieces. Rather than try to define that meandering boundary accurately here, I advise you to go to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Web site, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, where you'll find a map included on the page listing season dates. Those regulations were not yet finalized when this issue went to press, but there are some general statements about seasons that should ring true.

First and most important, all goose species will be open to hunting across all zones for the entire month of December. There are reasons for that, too, which you'll learn about a little later.

Ducks also should be open to hunting all month in the High Plains Zone. In the Early Zone, expect to have two to three weeks of hunting this month. Look for all but a day or two at the end of December for duck hunting in the Late Zone.

That said, be sure to call your local KDWP office or check the Web site to confirm the season dates. That can't be overemphasized. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets season frameworks for migratory species in the U.S., and state agencies like KDWP use those frameworks to set actual hunting seasons that will give waterfowlers the best chances for success. Dates can change from year to year, so it's imperative that you find out what part of this month is open in all three zones.

Two of the Sunflower State's most well-known and popular waterfowling destinations are Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. They are relatively close to each other -- as the ducks and geese fly -- but they are in different waterfowl zones. Cheyenne Bottoms is in the Early Zone, Quivira in the Late Zone. If you're planning a trip to that part of the state with an eye toward hunting both areas, you must be sure of the seasons to assure that duck hunting will be possible in each during the time you'll be there. Goose hunting shouldn't be a problem, as previously noted.

"December waterfowl hunting can be hit-or-miss in some areas of the state," said KDWP biologist Faye McNew, who works with waterfowl. "One example is the southeast part of the state, which tends to freeze over earlier than some other areas."

McNew noted that Cedar Bluff is an excellent waterfowl destination, as are the aforementioned Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira NWR. There also are other public hunting areas in the state -- adjacent to some of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundments -- that are equipped with the plumbing necessary to flood marshes. I've hunted one on the north end of Perry Reservoir several times over the years, and enjoyed some great action there. This season should prove to be similar, if not better.