
By David Zumbaugh
The Outdoor Communicators of Kansas (OCK) chose Lucas, Kansas, for their fall 2021 conference on Nov. 20-22, 2021. OCK members include nationally recognized editors, writers, photographers, artists, and bloggers focusing on outdoor recreation.

Nearby Wilson Lake is a fishing hotspot where anglers can catch walleye, white bass, striped bass, catfish, drum and even trophy big-mouthed bass. There is ample room to cruise your boat on the gorgeous 9,000 acres of water. If you prefer to patiently sit in a lawn chair and watch the world go by, you will find plenty of scenic places to fish from shore. The full-service marina in the state park is open from Apr. 1st – Nov. 1st. A host of items is offered, including groceries, live bait, fuel, fishing and camping supplies. There are 200 rental boat slips available.
Surrounding Lake Wilson is more than 8,000 acres of public hunting access. Deer hunting is popular with hilly terrain providing spot and stalk opportunities. Small game hunters can wear out a pair of boots chasing pheasants, quail and even prairie chickens! Wild turkeys, rabbits and squirrels are present as well. Waterfowl hunting can sometimes get frenzied on the reservoir’s upper end and the many coves and backwater wetlands. There are thousands more acres within Russell and adjacent counties of Walk-In-Hunting-Access (WIHA). The WIHA Atlas is available online.
Abundant camping opportunities exist, including Wilson State Park, Minooka Park, Lucas Park and Sylvan Park. Cabins and camper hookups are available, and reservations are recommended. Several hiking trails attract both hardcore nimrod hikers and the less ambitious. The Cedar Trail in the Otoe area is an easy one-mile loop with a concrete surface. The 25-mile Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail is a national bucket list challenge for cyclists.

Other area attractions include the Post Rock Scenic Byway driving tour, Garden of Eden, Grassroots Art Center, Possumbilities Antique shop and Kansas Originals Market. Lodging is available in Lucas at the Garden View Lodge, Horseshoe Lodge, Cozy Cottage, Lucas RV Park, and Set in Stone Cabins. Many other lodging choices and services can be found in Russell and Wilson, Kansas.
A short one-hour drive south will reward you with a visit to Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, the largest wetland in the interior of the United States. More than 300 species of birds have been documented in the bottoms, especially important for shorebirds. Whooping cranes are annual visitors, and people travel from around the globe to witness the antics of the whoopers. Some pools are open for waterfowl hunting, so it gets popular on the weekends during duck season.
OCK members were surprised at Lucas’s variety of services and supplies, such as from the Home Oil Service Convenience store. They were awed and spooked by the eclectic displays at the Garden of Eden! A Bar-B-Que at the Garden View Lodge with meats sourced from Brant’s Market kept everyone’s energy at peak for their hunting efforts. Jason Vanley of Kansas Outdoor Adventures provided guiding services for pheasants and quail. His dogs entertained everyone at the evening social gathering.
Lucas is located in the heart of the Smokey Hills, and many visitors consider this area the most beautiful in the state. Local businesses graciously offered support for hunting and fishing pursuits, and the Russell County Convention and Visitors Bureau provided generous hospitality to the group. Visit https://lucaskansas.com/visit for more information.
