Cold Weather Arrives Early For 2014 Arkansas Duck Season

Duck Hunting, Featured, Hunting | November 21, 2014 by Sporting Life Arkansas | 0 Comments

LITTLE ROCK – One of the coldest mid-November weeks on record is stirring excitement among the state’s duck hunters as opening day looms. That excitement, however, is tempered somewhat by a shortage of hunting water in many areas.

The 2014 Arkansas duck season opens 30 minutes before sunrise Saturday, and Arkansas is coming off an extended bout of unseasonably cold weather, which typically bodes well for duck hunting as habitats to the state’s north become snow-covered and frozen. The National Weather Service was projecting Little Rock’s average daily temperature to be 34.9 degrees for the period spanning Nov. 12-18, which would mark the lowest average temperature on record for that span.

But even as temperatures have dropped, rainfall has been scarce in many areas, leaving many naturally flooded waterfowl habitats dry.

“Our observers flew the season’s first aerial waterfowl survey earlier this week, and they reported that most of the Delta was dry,” said Luke Naylor, the Arkansas Gameand Fish Commission’s waterfowl program coordinator. “The northern Delta was extremely dry, although areas south of Pine Bluff seem to have benefitted more from rainfall earlier in the week. But with that exception, most of the water they saw was in reservoirs and artificially flooded habitat.”

Waterfowl survey results should be available in time for next week’s weekly waterfowl report and will be posted on the AGFC website at www.agfc.com, but preliminary observations seem to indicate a higher-than-average percentage of mallards in the population estimate.

Observers reported large concentrations of ducks at Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Ashbaugh in northeastern Arkansas.

Northeast ArkansasEarl Buss Bayou DeView WMAMap | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Due to the long-term effects associated with extended periods of flooding on timber, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will not be pumping the Thompson Tract Greentree Reservoir on Earl Buss Bayou DeView Wildlife Management Area.

South Oliver GTR

Habitat: Mast production has been good.

Water Level: The only water is within the natural slough located on the north end of the GTR and the south end of the North Oliver Tract.

Thompson Tract GTR

Habitat: Mast production has been good.

Water Level: No water.

Lake Hogue WRA

Habitat: A small amount of beneficial wetland plants is located along the east side of the lake.

Water Level: Normal pool level.

Big Lake WMA

Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

When the Ditch 81 extension gauge near Manilla (upstream of the Big Lake north-end control structure) reads 17.5 feet, water is beginning to come over the north levee degrade on Big Lake WMA. When the Ditch 81 Extension gauge reads 18.0 feet or higher, the water level on the WMA will rise quickly and hunters should exercise caution while on the area. Be aware of underwater logs in boat runs and hangers in trees.

North Woods GTR

Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: Bois d’Arc gauge currently reads 234.2 Target level is 235.5. 20% flooded.

South Woods GTR

Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: The 7-Mile gauge is currently at 233.2 feet. Target level is 234.5 feet with 40% flooded.

Simmons Field

Habitat: A fair amount of millet, smartweed and sedge is present. Seed production is fair.

Water Level: 5%

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA

Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Low water levels along the river channel are making boat navigation difficult. Please exercise caution when accessing the area.

Hunt Area

Habitat: Mast production is above average within the timber and floodways.

Water Level: Water levels in the huntable areas are dependent on the St. Francis River. The water level at Oak Donnick is 206.8 feet with 25% of the huntable area flooded.

Snowden WRA

Habitat: There is a small amount of beneficial wetland plants within the borrow areas.

Water Level: No water.

Payneway WRA

Habitat: There is a small amount of beneficial wetland plants within Pool C, Pool D and the borrow areas.

Water Level: No water.

Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA

Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. In addition, hunters should allow safe passage when parking vehicles along roadsides. Vehicles blocking access will be moved.

Adam’s Brake GTR

Habitat: Good mast crop within the GTR.

Water Level: Water level is 238.0 MSL with a target level of 240.0 MSL. 65% flooded.

Rainey Brake GTR

Habitat: Good mast crop within the GTR.

Water Level: 80%

Eagle Pond GTR

Habitat: Good mast crop.

Water Level: 70%

Phase III Moist-soil Unit

Habitat: Average wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: No water.

Charles Crisp Moist-soil Unit

Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: No water.

Ward Field Moist-soil Unit

Habitat: Average wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: No water.

River Field Moist-soil Unit

Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: No water.

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA

Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. Please remember to 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.

Upper Island GTR