Conditions Improve Slightly for Duck Season’s 2nd Segment

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas received much needed rainfall earlier this week, just in time for Thursday’s opening day of the second segment of the 2012-2013 duck season. But many of the state’s wildlife management areas still will need more rainfall to reach target water levels on waterfowl impoundments.

Dry conditions prevailed across much of the state during the season’s first segment in November, but the passage of a cold front earlier this week brought up to an inch of rain in some areas of the state, raising water levels in streams and creating additional waterfowl habitat in low-lying areas and agricultural fields. But because of prolonged dry conditions throughout the fall, this week’s rainfall offered only marginal improvements in the state’s overall habitat picture.

Warm and dry conditions aren’t typically a recipe for good waterfowl hunting, but more rain is in the forecast for the weekend. Combined with cooler temperatures behind the front, it may offer a glimmer of hope for hunters looking toward next week.

Overall duck numbers were near average through the first segment of the season, while mallard numbers were higher than average. Averages are based on data from aerial waterfowl surveys conducted over several years. Biologists will be flying the season’s second aerial waterfowl surveys next week, and updated population estimates should be available the following week.

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.