Weekly Waterfowl Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail: kastephens@agfc.state.ar.us

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's waterfowl report for Jan. 5. 2005.

The following report is a compilation of state reports and waterfowl surveys from across Arkansas. This report provides a look at habitat conditions across the state.

Weather Forecast:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 66 by noon, then falling to around 56 during the remainder of the day. West southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of rain, mainly between 8pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 41. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low near 31. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 61. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 64. West southwest wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 45.

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 65.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 62.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Large concentrations of geese are in surrounding agriculture fields. Lake Ashbaugh is still holding several thousand ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.  A few hunters are killing low numbers of ducks, with very few limits being reported.  
General Comments: Black River had recently fallen to 4 feet at Corning, but is now on the rise and is currently at 7.5 feet. Forecasted rains may create overflow conditions and provide additional habitat and hunting opportunities.
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100%. The Upper Island msl gauge is at 268.5.
The Lower Island msl gauge is at 270 msl.
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100. The upper impoundment msl gauge is at 267 and the lower impoundment msl gauge is at 266.
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s
Percent Flooded: 100. Canal access msl gauge is at 263.45.

Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 239.75 msl. The Rainey Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 238.30 msl.
Habitat Conditions: Water is clear.
Weather: Chance of rain through Wednesday with a high in the 60’s.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks were observed moving into the area during the week.
Duck Abundance: Duck numbers remain very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has been light with poor hunter success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Oak Donnick gauge is at 214.18 msl. The Payneway moist soil units are 80% flooded. The Snowden moist soil unit is 70% flooded.
Habitat Conditions:  The Payneway moist soil unit has a fair stand of panic grass with a little smartweed and yellow nut sedge mixed within. The Snowden moist soil unit has a higher abundance of the same vegetation along with wild millet.  Acorn production is considered poor within the timber.
Weather:  Scattered showers with warm temperatures.
Migrations/Observations:  No major migrations at this point.
Duck Abundance:  Few ducks are using the moist soil units.
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters having poor success.

Earl Buss/Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The timber units are flooded at full pool. The South Oliver gauge is at 1.65 with the Thompson gauge is at 1.35.
Habitat Conditions:  Plenty of water is available for wintering ducks however, acorn production is considered poor.
Weather:  Scattered showers with warm temperatures.
Migrations/Observations:  No significant numbers observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters having very little success.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: North woods 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 in the north woods and the present reading is 236.0. Target is 234.5 in the south woods with the present reading at 235.6.
Habitat Conditions:  Area completely thawed from recent freeze.
Migrations/Observations:  Lot of Ducks migrating to and from Big Lake NWR.
Duck Abundance: Poor number of ducks scattered across the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low number of hunters killing very few Mallards and other mixed ducks.
General Comments:  Muddy water in north woods, muddy to dingy water in south woods. Boaters be aware of pipes open at high line.  Gates partially opened at Simmons structure to release recent increase in water levels.  
       
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 70. White River at Augusta is at 20.57 and Georgetown is at 10.34 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Warm weather forecast.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: High numbers of wood ducks and a few mallards have been observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity and poor success.
General Comments: Water conditions are good.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100 at 192.5 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Warm conditions and wet.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Wood duck numbers are fair and very few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity and poor success.
General Comments: Water conditions are good.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 100 at 192.5 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Warm weather conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers have been reported.
Duck Abundance:  Wood duck numbers are good with a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity and poor success.
General Comments: All access roads are closed at this time.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  50%.
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is falling.
Weather: Warm weather conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Low numbers of ducks are using the area.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity with poor success rates.
General Comments: The Cache River gauge at Cotton Plant is at 15.22 feet and falling with water rising at Patterson.
Mud Slough GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100. The GTR is above the 160 flood pool.
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop and the area flooded early.
Migrations/Observations: Mainly wood ducks using the GTR.
Duck Abundance: Very few mallards and fair amount of wood duck numbers.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity with poor success rates.
General Comments:  The heavy freeze moved ducks from the GTR.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations: Low numbers of ducks are using the lake  
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Closed to access. Open the last three days of the last season.
General Comments:  Frozen conditions moved ducks from the lake.

Rex Hancock/Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded:  100. The Cache River at Patterson is at 9.3 and rising.
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Warm weather conditions.
Migrations/Observations: High numbers of wood ducks and few mallards.   
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate activity and fair success rates.
General Comments: Good water conditions.

Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100. Georgetown is at 10.4.         
Habitat Conditions:  All impoundments are at full pool.
Migrations/Observations: A few new flights have been reported.
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy activity and fair success.
General Comments:  A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. All holes are now open for the draw. Jones Island road is now open.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Very few observed. 
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunters making it to the open water are killing a few ducks.
General Comments: Very few shots heard.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
General Comments: Closed to access.
 
Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 25
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: None reported.
General Comments: Overflow area, dependent on drainage from Cabot area. 
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: A few mallards are on the rest area.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
General Comments: Closed to access.

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None noted.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate hunters with very little success.
General Comments: Area is closed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Normal
Migrations/Observations: Very few observed.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Few hunters with very little success.
General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting. Watch for underwater stumps when motoring into the areas.   
 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA:
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
General Comments:
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A.
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Some movement.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair.
General Comments:  Deep Slough gauge is at 132 msl. A lot of hunting pressure over the weekend.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Some movement.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

 Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Few.
Duck Abundance:  Few.
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are killing ducks.
General Comments:  The WMA is at 133.7 msl.

Trusten Holder WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair.
Duck Abundance:  Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair.
General Comments:  Ducks killed are gadwalls, ringneck, teal and a few mallards.

Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded: 50
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:   Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor.
Comments:  River gauge is at 21.2 feet.

Beryl Anthony/Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Weather: Much warmer temperatures.
Duck Abundance: No ducks reported.
General Comments: Area depends on rain for flooding.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 85
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cloudy, windy, raining and warm.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
General Comments: Most of the ducks have moved out of the area due to the warm weather.

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 20
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Cloudy, windy, warm and raining.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
General Comments:  Most of the ducks have moved out of the area due to the warm weather.
Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cloudy, windy, warm and raining.
Migrations/Observations: Poor. No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments:  Most of the ducks have moved out of the area due to the warm weather.
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 80
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather:  Cloudy, raining, warm and windy.
 Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments: Most of the ducks have moved out of area due to warmer weather.

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.61 msl.
Habitat Conditions: Water is rising slowly.
Weather: Cloudy, windy, rain predicted for this week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Duck abundance is low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter success is low.

Sulphur River WMA:
Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded:  100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Rain is predicted for the week.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  100
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather:  Rain is predicted for the week.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations observed.
Duck Abundance: Low
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon/Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Lots of acorns, millet and natural vegetation.
Weather: Warm weather and rain this week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks coming in.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.   
General Comments: Most hunters report taking two to three ducks.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks were observed last Tuesday, but they did not stay long. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Rains should improve habitat. Still need a strong cold front to move ducks in.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks were observed last Tuesday, but they did not stay long. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Rains should improve habitat. Still need a strong cold front to move ducks in.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks were observed last Tuesday, but they did not stay long. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Rains should improve habitat. Still need a strong cold front to move ducks in.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks were observed last Tuesday, but they did not stay long. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Rains should improve habitat. Still need a strong cold front to move ducks in. 

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks were observed last Tuesday, but they did not stay long. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Rains should improve habitat. Still need a strong cold front to move ducks in.

Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
Black Lands and Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units- 100
Pullen Pond- 100
Pond Creek- 100
Slaty Pond- 100
Santa Fe- 100
Habitat Conditions: Poor mast crop, small grains and native grasses left in fields.
Weather: Warmer temperatures and rain this week. 
Migrations/Observations: No ducks have been observed.
Duck Abundance: Low.  Have seen no geese using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very low.
General Comments: Very little happening. Warmer temperatures this week.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100.
Habitat Conditions: Poor mast crop, native grasses left in fields.
Weather: Will have warmer temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: No ducks have been observed migrating into the area.
Duck Abundance: Low.  Have seen no geese using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very low.
General Comments: Lake is down to normal level. Warmer temperatures this week.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Mast crop is gone; water has been higher than normal.
Weather: Warm weather and rain for the following week.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks reported.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters.
General Comments: With all the rain coming this week, the water in the area should rise.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week. 
Duck Abundance: High
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Rains should improve habitat. Still need a strong cold front to move ducks in.  No hunting in this area!

 

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