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. 12. 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.

Waterfowl survey shows encouraging increases

LITTLE ROCK - The January waterfowl survey from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shows mallard, gadwall, pintail, snow goose and white-fronted goose populations are up substantially over survey numbers taken in 2004.

The aerial survey, taken Jan. 3-8, included five AGFC observers from the air along with USFWS personnel counting on the ground at five wildlife refuges.

The total population estimate for all ducks is 566,088, up from 239,984 in 2004. That’s encouraging news, although this year’s total count remains low compared with recent years. The average for the last 19 years for all ducks is 892,079; the five-year average is 572,080. The survey for all ducks during the last 19 years, however, has ranged from 239,984 to 2,462,742 (1991).

The mallard count this year was 350,984, up from last year’s 148,893 (which was the lowest figure since 1989). The average mallard count for 1989-2004 is 613,400, ranging from 148,893 to 1,480,101. Gadwall numbers increased from 30,889 in 2004 to 59,475 this year. Pintails moved from 26,444 in 2004 to 44,625 in 2005.

The estimate of the snow goose population increased from 204,658 in 2004 to 382,313 this year. White-fronted geese jumped from 29,615 last year to 43,188. Canada geese fell from 3,012 to 2,087.

Habitat conditions were excellent during the January survey. Waterfowl had large tracts of flooded agricultural land and natural habitats available because rainfall pushed rivers and bayous near or over flood stages.

With plenty of water on the ground, waterfowl have remained dispersed across the state. Survey counters saw few large concentrations of more than 20,000 birds. Duck numbers were up from the November and December 2004 counts.

Weather Forecast:

Today: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 73. Windy, with a south wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 precipitation. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight: Periods of showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., then showers likely. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Low around 45. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 8 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly sunny, with a high around 52. North-northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 26. North-northeast winds around 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North-northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 43. East-northeast winds around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 42. East-northeast winds around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 25.

M.L. King Day: Partly cloudy, with a high around 41.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 42.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Large concentrations of geese in surrounding agriculture fields. Lake Ashbaugh is still holding quite a few ducks (3,000-5,000).
Duck Abundance: Fair, but widely scattered.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.  Moderate number of hunters killing few ducks.
General Comments: Black River is out of the banks and additional hunting areas are flooded.
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100%. The Upper Island MSL gauge is at 270.1. The Lower Island MSL gauge is at 269.8.
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100% with upper impoundment MSL gauge at 268.4 and lower impoundment MSL gauge at 268.2
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100%. Canal access msl gauge is at 264.

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 238.9 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Water is clear. Water is over the road at the River Field moist soil unit, but it is passable.
Weather: Chance of rain through Thursday with highs in the 50’s and 60’s. Turning colder Friday with below freezing temperatures for the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: A few new ducks were observed moving into the area during the week.
Duck Abundance: Duck numbers low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has been light with poor success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Oak Donnick gauge is at 216.93 msl.  The Payneway moist soil units are 90 percent flooded.  The Snowden moist soil unit is 100 percent 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:  Warm and cloudy with heavy rainfall. Much colder temperatures later in the week.
Migrations/Observations:  No major migrations at this point.
Duck Abundance:  300 ducks are using the Payneway moist soil unit.  Approximately 75 percent are mallards with a remaining mix of green-winged teal, shoveler and gadwall.
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are having moderate success.

Earl Buss/Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The timber units are flooded at full pool. The South Oliver gauge is at 2.52 with the Thompson gauge at 2.80.
Habitat Conditions:  Plenty of water is available for wintering ducks however, acorn production is considered poor.  Several private fields in the area are flooded due to heavy rainfall.
Weather:  Warm and cloudy with heavy rainfall. Much colder temperatures this weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  No significant numbers observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  A small number of hunters are having little success.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: North woods are 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 in the north woods with a present reading of over 237.0 msl. Target water is 234.5 in the south woods with a present reading of over 236.0 msl.
Habitat Conditions:  Area is two feet above target water.
Migrations/Observations: Many ducks are migrating to and from Big Lake NWR.
Duck Abundance: Poor number of ducks scattered across the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Increased number of hunters killing very few mallards and other mixed ducks.
General Comments: Extremely high water conditions due to recent rains. Muddy water in north woods, muddy to dingy water in south woods. Boaters should be aware of pipes open at high line. Gates are partially opened at the Simmons structure to release the recent increase in water levels.                    
       
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%. White River at Augusta is at 31.9 feet and Georgetown is at 20.6 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Warm conditions and wet.
Migrations/Observations:  Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Wood ducks and a few mallards have been observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Water conditions are good.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100% at 194+feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Warm conditions and wet.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Wood duck numbers are good and a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Access roads closed.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 100% at 194+ feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Warm conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers have been reported.
Duck Abundance:  Wood duck numbers are good with a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Access roads closed.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  60%.
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is rising.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks are using the area, but in low numbers.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate/Low
General Comments: The Cache River gauge at Cotton Plant is at 18.17 feet and rising.
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: Some ducks are using the GTR, but in low numbers.
Duck Abundance: A few mallards and a fair number of wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate/Low  
General Comments:  Pumping was not necessary this year. The water level is being diverted from the Robe Bayou structure. The area was 100% flooded by the beginning of the season.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 60
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations: Ducks are using the lake in moderate numbers.  
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Closed to access. Open the last three days of the last season.
General Comments:  Early water was available this year for ducks using the rest area.

Rex Hancock/Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded:  100
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Warm temperatures forecasted for the next few days.
Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and wood ducks have been observed.   
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: The Cache River at Paterson is 10.7 feet. Excellent water conditions.

Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%. White River at Georgetown is 20.6 feet           
Habitat Conditions:  East and west impoundments are both at full pool.
Migrations/Observations: New flights reported in and around the WMA.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Average ½ duck /hunter
General Comments:  A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season.  Jones Island Road is under water at this time.  Boat ramps A and D are closed.  Hunters will have to use the ramp south of the headquarters on Cyperts Road.


CENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Very few observations 
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunters making it to the open water are killing a few ducks.
General Comments: Very few hunters making it out to Grassy Lake due to Grassy Lake Road being under water.
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: 50% and dropping.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks
Duck Abundance: 200-300 mallards are using the area.
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 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 observations
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:
General Comments: A few ducks have been killed, but they are very spotty.  Extreme cold weather is predicted for this weekend.  Due to emergency dewatering practices, not all of the area will be frozen.  The ducks will go to the open water.  Use caution on Lower Vallier and Cannon Brake impoundments due to emergency dewatering.
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Sporadic.
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations: Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
General Comments:
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair.
Duck Abundance:  Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
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:  Heavy hunting pressure with fair success.
General Comments:  High water.
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:  Some movement.
Duck Abundance:  Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate hunter numbers with some success.
General Comments: The WMA is at 134.6 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: 75
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor.
Comments:  River gauge is at 33 feet.

Beryl Anthony/Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Weather: Much warmer temperatures early in the week, followed by freezing temperatures this weekend.
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, warm and rain predicted this week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
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, warm and rain predicted this week.
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, warm and rain predicted this week.
Migrations/Observations: Poor-No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
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, warm and rain predicted this week.
 Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Most of the ducks have moved out of the area due to warmer weather.

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 261.08 msl.
Habitat Conditions: Water is rising slowly.
Weather: Cloudy, warm and rain predicted for this week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Duck abundance low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair


Sulphur River WMA:
Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded:  100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cloudy, warm and rain 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: Cloudy, warm and rain 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 millet and natural vegetation.
Weather: Rain forecast for midweek with a cold front coming in towards weeks end.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks coming in.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.   
General Comments: Most hunters report taking two to three ducks.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Warm temperatures and some rain this week.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks observed Tuesday and Wednesday of last week mainly on rest areas and refuges. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Cold front at the end of this week.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Warm temperatures and some rain this week.
Migrations/Observations: Not many ducks observed. 
Duck Abundance: Low number of ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Cold front at the end of this week.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Warm temperatures and some rain this week.
Migrations/Observations: Not many ducks observed. 
Duck Abundance: Low number of ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Cold front at the end of this week.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain this week.
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks observed. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Cold front at the end of this week. 

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain this week. Cold front at the end of the week.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed last week. 
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.

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: Warm temperatures and rain at the first of the week. Cold front coming at the end of the week. 
Migrations/Observations: Have seen a few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Few.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Poor mast crop, native grasses left in fields.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain at the first of the week. Cold front coming at the end of the week.
Migrations/Observations: Have seen a few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Few hunters, success unknown.
General Comments: Lake is down to normal level.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Mast crop is gone; water has been higher than normal.
Weather: Warm weather and rain through midweek.  A cold front coming at the end of the week.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks being seen.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters.
General Comments: The area is higher than normal and muddy.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Warm temperatures and rain all week.  Cold front at the end of the week. 
Duck Abundance: High.
General Comments: No hunting on this area.

 

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