Arkansas Waterfowl Report – Numbers Down

LITTLE ROCK – The bad news is that Arkansas duck numbers are down compared to the average for the last four years. But the good news is that numbers could be bolstered in the coming days by the passage of a winter weather system.

Last week’s aerial waterfowl survey showed a population estimate that’s much lower than the 2009-2012 average. Based on observations by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists, the state’s Delta has an estimated duck population of less than 800,000 ducks, a number similar to what biologists counted during the November survey but a significant decline from the 2009-2012 average for the December survey period.

Large concentrations of ducks were observed at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, Cache River NWR near Dixie, Lake Ashbaugh on Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area, Big Lake NWR and Claypool’s Reservoir. Observers saw fewer large concentrations of ducks south of Interstate 40.

In southwest Arkansas, observers counted an estimated 17,000 ducks, including about 10,000 mallards, and in the Arkansas River Valley, observers estimated a population of about 24,000 ducks, including roughly 14,000 mallards.

A winter storm currently making its way across the nation’s midsection may be cause for cautious optimism as duck season’s second segment winds down this weekend. A strong cold front is forecast to dump several inches to more than a foot of snow across parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. In Arkansas, temperatures are predicted to drop into the upper 20s at night with high temperatures in the lower 50s.

The second segment of the state’s duck season closes at sunset Sunday, Dec. 23. The season reopens for the final segment on Dec.26 and runs through Jan. 27.

While this waterfowl report seeks to provide information that is as timely as possible, hunters should keep in mind there’s often a lag of two or three days between the time field reports are received and this report is published. Thus, actual water levels and percentage of flooded habitat may differ from what’s reported here. The AGFC encourages hunters to check stream gauges (links are provided at the end of this report) and physically scout potential hunting areas to determine actual field conditions.

To assist waterfowl hunters with the latest information, the AGFC provides links to sources on waterfowl location and abundance in Arkansas and other states. Maps showing graphical results of this season’s first aerial waterfowl survey are included. The links are available here.

This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season. To receive the report each week on your computer, send an e-mail to Arkansas Game & Fish and type “Waterfowl Report” in the subject line.  Information on river levels can be found here.

Sunrise/sunset tables are available here and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

Northeast Arkansas

Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Dave Donaldson Black River WMAView Current Gauge Readings	Upper Island GTR Lower Island GTR Upper Reyno GTR Lower Reyno GTR Winchester GTR	Good to above average mast production Good to above average mast production Good to above average mast production Good to above average mast production Good to above average mast production	269.4 msl. Target level is 269.5 msl.98% flooded. 268.0 msl. Target level is 268.0. 100% flooded. 267.0 msl. Target level is 267.5. 90% flooded. 266.3 msl. Target level is 267.0. 85% flooded. 266.3 msl. Target level is 265 msl. 100% flooded.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Delaplaine, Arkansas	Area Info and Map Waterfowl hunters should be aware of remnant ice storm damage in the GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. Please keep boats off the levees so AGFC personnel can access the area. Boats blocking access will be moved. Unattended trailers are not to be left overnight on parking areas.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Adam’s Brake GTR Rainey Brake GTR Phase III Moist-soil Unit Charles Crisp Moist-soil Unit Ward Field Moist-soil Unit River Field Moist-soil Unit	Fair mast crop Fair mast crop Good moist-soil vegetation and volunteer millet production Good millet production Poor wetland vegetation Good wetland vegetation	100% 100% 100% 0% 100% 0%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Lynn, Arkansas	Area Info and Map .
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Hunt Area Snowden WRA Payneway WRA	Fair mast production Fair stand of beneficial wetland plants in the borrow areas. Fair stand of beneficial wetland plants in Units C and D, and in the borrow areas.	Water levels in huntable areas are dependent on St. Francis River flows. The water level at Oak Donnick is 208.74 feet., and approximately 60% of the huntable area is flooded. 0% 0%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Trumann, Arkansas	Area Info and Map St. Francis Lake is being drawn down to make emergency repairs to an eroded area near the dam. Access to the lake may be obtained by the Siphons Boat Ramp. Waterfowl hunters should be aware of low water levels along the river channel and the lake area. Please exercise caution when accessing the area.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA View Current Gauge Readings	South Oliver GTR Thompson Tract GTR Lake Hogue WRA	Good acorn production Good acorn production A small amount of beneficial wetland plants along the east side of the lake	10% flooded, with most water within the natural sloughs 25% flooded Normal	View current weather conditions and forecast for Weiner, Arkansas	Area Info and Map Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Big Lake WMA View Current Gauge Readings	North Woods GTR South Woods GTR Simmons Field	Good mast production Good mast production A fair amount of millet and sedge is present. Seed production is fair.	The Bois d’Arc gauge is currently at 234.2 msl. Target water level is 235.5 msl. The area is 30% flooded. The 7-Mile gauge is currently at 233.4 msl. Target water is 234.5. The area is 40% flooded. 15%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Manila, Arkansas	Area Info and Map

Central Arkansas

Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Bell Slough WMA	Bell Slough GTR Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area	Fair mast crop Fair seed production on natural vegetation	100% 35%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Mayflower, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Holland Bottoms WMA	Hunt Area Lake Pickthorne Waterfowl Rest Area	Good conditions and a good mast crop Good conditions	Dry East cell is 100% flooded; west cell is 20% flooded with a good stand of millet.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Cabot, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Harris Brake WMA	Harris Brake GTRs	Poor acorn crop	Lower unit is 100% flooded.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Perryville, Arkansas	Area Info and Map  The upper unit is 80% flooded.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir	Waterfowl hunting is open until noon on Pierce Creek, Dix Creek, Palarm Creek Bay and Caney Creek Bay.	Normal	Stable	View current weather conditions and forecast for Mayflower, Arkansas	Area Info and Map

East Central Arkansas

Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA View Current Gauge Readings	North GTR South GTR	Good mast crop. Good acorn crop.	Dry, with some water in the lakes Dry, with some water in the lakes	View current weather conditions and forecast for Bald Knob, Arkansas	Area Info and Map Only water available is in the lakes, but they’re low.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Units A, B, & C Unit H (Mobility-impaired Blind) Units D & E Units F & G	Units A, B and C: Good stand of millet and a variety of sedges Unit H: Fair stand of smartweed and wild millet and a variety of sedges Units E and F: Fair stand of smartweed, wild millet and a variety of sedges Unit G: This unit is designed as a permanent water source; food availability is fair around the shallow edges. Unit I: Good stand of millet and a variety of sedges	Units A, B and C are about 100% flooded and are accessible by boat. Unit H is 100% flooded and is accessible by ATV (disabled hunters only). Unit E is 70% flooded. Unit F is at 25%. Both units are accessible by foot and boat. Unit G: Full pool; accessible by foot traffic only Unit I: 85% flooded; accessible by foot traffic only	View current weather conditions and forecast for Georgetown, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Main WMA Wiville Unit	Good mast crop	Area is about 50% flooded after a rise in the Cache River. Access by boat is still limited on the area. Wiville unit is approximately 14 acres and is 100% flooded. Access by foot traffic only.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Cotton Plant, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Mud Slough GTR Apple Lake WRA	Good mast crop Good mast crop	Dry Lake level is low.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Cotton Plant, Arkansas	Area Info and Map

Southeast Arkansas

Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Bayou Meto WMA	Upper Vallier GTR Lower Vallier GTR Government Cypress GTR Buckingham Flats GTR Temple Island GTR Halowell WRA Wrape Plantation WRA	Good mast crop Good mast crop Good mast crop Good mast crop Good mast crop Good moist-soil habitat Good moist-soil habitat	178.6 msl. Full pool is at 180.0 msl. 178.6 msl. Full pool is at 179.0 msl. 178.6 msl. Full pool is at 179.0 msl. 100% 85% Staggered unit flooding Staggered unit flooding	View current weather conditions and forecast for Humphrey, Arkansas	Area Info and Map  All boat ramps are accessible.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Cut-Off Creek WMA	Hunt Area Pigeon Creek Waterfowl Rest Area	Good mast crop Good mast crop	Water is in sloughs only. A few wood ducks are in the area. 100% flooded	View current weather conditions and forecast for Collins, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Seven Devils Swamp WMA		Good	90% flooded	View current weather conditions and forecast for Collins, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Trusten Holder WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Arkansas River Below Pendleton Bridge, including Post Lake, Merrisach Lake and Moore’s Bayou.	Good mast crop	Arkansas River is at 26.34 feet on Pendleton gauge.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Yancopin, Arkansas	Area Info and Map  Variable backwater levels
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area View Current Gauge Readings	Mississippi River	River bottoms	Mississippi River is at 10.07 feet on the Arkansas City gauge. Old River Boat Ramp is not accessible.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Arkansas City, Arkansas	Area Info and Map Variable backwater levels. River water only. Pothole Lake not accessible from Kate Adams Lake.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA		Good mast crop	Dry	View current weather conditions and forecast for Huttig, Arkansas	Area Info and Map

Southwest Arkansas

Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA	Bois d’ Arc Lake WRA Red Slough WRA GTR Little Grassy	Closed to hunting. Closed to hunting. Good mast production Habitat is fair.	Low 25% 15% 0%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Texarkana, Arkansas	Area Info and Map The water level on the last report was incorrect.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Millwood Lake View Current Gauge Readings		Habitat conditions are good.	259.48 Normal is 259.20	View current weather conditions and forecast for Texarkana, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Sulphur River WMA	Mercer Bayou Henry Moore WRA	Closed to hunting.	Water level is 1 foot below normal pool.  60% flooded	View current weather conditions and forecast for Texarkana, Arkansas	Area Info and Map Recent rains did not significantly improve water levels.

Northwest Arkansas

Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA	Willow Island Little Hole Red Gate Pig Trough Cedar Ridge Duck Trap Salt Lick Bobby’s Pond Race Track Controversy Corner Remmel Marsh Mud Pond Turkey Pond Teeny Pond	Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Millet/Natural vegetation Millet/Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Millet/Natural vegetation Natural vegetation Millet/Natural vegetation Natural vegetation	0% 0% 90% 0% 0% 60% 0% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% 0% 0%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Blackwell, Arkansas	Area Info and Map As of Dec. 17, both Controversy Corner and Remmel Marsh MSUs are at full capacity. Red Gate MSU is approximately 90% full, and Duck Trap MSU is approximately 60% full. Although millet was planted in several cells, it succumbed to dry conditions, with only moderate stands in Remmel Marsh and Duck Trap. Duck numbers on the cells holding water have generally been low to moderate, and hunter success has been poor to fair.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Petit Jean River WMA View Current Gauge Readings	Santa Fe GTR Olin Cain MSU Blacklands MSU Slaty Crossing MSUs Pullen Pond Pond Creek GTR Slaty Pond GTR Black Lands Duck Area		5% 100% 95% 0% 0% 5% 0% 100%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Ola, Arkansas	Area Info and Map The Petit Jean River level at Centerville is currently at 2.44 feet.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Galla Creek WMA	Galla Creek GTR	Natural vegetation including mixture of buttonbush and smartweed.	0%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Pottsville, Arkansas	Area Info and Map The GTR will not be flooded this year because of ongoing reforestation efforts.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Frog Bayou WMA	Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7	Native moist soil plants Native moist soil Millet Native moist soil Native moist soil Millet Native moist soil	Unit 1 is full Unit 2 is dry Unit 3 is full Unit 4 is 50% flooded. Unit 5 is 50% flooded. Unit 6 is full. Unit 7 is dry	View current weather conditions and forecast for Alma, Arkansas	Area Info and Map
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Lloyd Millwood Nimrod WMA	Nimrod GTR	Poor mast crop and native grasses.	15%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Plainview, Arkansas	Area Info and Map The river level is too low to pump. Needs to be above 343 msl. Currently at 342.32.
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Ozark Pool	Dyer Lake Cells	Some millet in east cells; plantings failed in south and west cells.	East cells are fully flooded; South and west cells are dry.	View current weather conditions and forecast for Dyer, Arkansas
Area	Impoundment	Habitat	Water Levels	Weather	Comments
Dardanelle WMA	Johnson County WRA McKennon Bottoms Potter’s Pothole/Hartman Waterfowl Unit	Moist soil vegetation, including millet, are good. Habitat is fair to good.	60% 100% 0%	View current weather conditions and forecast for Clarksville, Arkansas	Area Info and Map The water level at Horse Head Creek is too low to pump.