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. 19, 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: Partly cloudy, with a high around 55. West-southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West-southwest winds around 5 mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 62. West-southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 40. North-northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 59. East-northeast wind around 10 mph becoming south southeast.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 2 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a high around 55. West-northwest winds around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North-northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 45. North-northwest winds around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low near 26.

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 58.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: No major migrations have been observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low. A few hunters are killing ducks
General Comments: Black River is out of its banks and additional hunting areas are flooded.  Low temperatures are causing some areas to freeze.  Black River crested near 12 feet over the weekend, but is now beginning to fall.  The Brookings gauge is at 268.3 and the gauge at Hubble Bridge is at 270.1 msl.
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 269.9.
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100% with upper impoundment msl gauge at 268.5 and lower impoundment gauge at 268.3.
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100%, with the canal access msl gauge is at 264.2.

Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 240.0 msl. The Rainey Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 239.3 msl.
Habitat Conditions: There is ice in the GTR, but boat lanes remain open. Floodwater is over the road at the River Field moist soil unit. Black River gauge at Black Rock is at 19.39 feet.
Weather: Partly cloudy through Friday. Warming by Wednesday with highs in the low 50’s.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks were observed moving into the area during the week.
Duck Abundance: Duck numbers are low on the area. Moderate number of ducks and geese south of Shirey Bay in private fields.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity is light with some success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Oak Donnick gauge is at 217.04 msl.  The Payneway and Snowden moist soil units are 100% 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:  Cold and sunny.
Migrations/Observations:  No major migrations at this point.
Duck Abundance:  3,000 ducks were using the Payneway moist soil unit prior to freezing temperatures.  Approximately 75% were 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 2.02 with the Thompson gauge at 2.04.
Habitat Conditions:  Plenty of water is available for wintering ducks, however acorn production is considered poor.  Ice is currently ½” thick.
Weather: Cold and sunny.
Migrations/Observations:  No significant numbers have been observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are having very little success.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: North woods are 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 in the north woods and the present reading is 236.8. Target is 234.5 in the south woods with a present reading of 235.8.
Habitat Conditions:  The area is one foot above target.
Migrations/Observations:  A lot of ducks are 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: High water conditions due to the 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 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 31.76 feet and Georgetown is at 21.68 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cold conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations:  Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Wood ducks and a few mallards have been observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments: Water conditions are good.  Access roads are closed.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100% at 194+ feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cold conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Wood duck numbers are good and a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments: Access roads are closed.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 100% at 194+ feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cold conditions, but dry.
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 are closed.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  65
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 19.13 feet.Water levels are at the highest levels of the season.
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: 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: 100
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:  Warmer temperatures by the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and wood ducks have been observed.   
Duck Abundance: Low
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson has exceeded 10.0 feet. Excellent water conditions.

Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  East and west impoundments are both above flood pool.
Migrations/Observations: New flights have been reported in and around the WMA.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low activity/Poor success.
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 ducks reported in the area. 
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunters making it to the open water are killing a few ducks.
General Comments: The recent cold front pushed a few new ducks into the area.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Moderate number of ducks.
General Comments: Closed to access.

Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 20
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
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:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: A few hunters are killing mallards.
General Comments: Area is closed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Normal
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks are being reported on the lake.
Duck Abundance: Low.
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:  Still doing emergency dewatering practices on Lower Vallier and Cannon Brake, use caution around these structures.
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.
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Hallowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Good movement of ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Heavy hunting pressure with moderate success.
General Comments:  High water.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Ducks are using the rest area.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.

Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Some movement.
Duck Abundance:  Few ducks are using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success:   Moderate hunters with some success.
General Comments:  Over 135.0 msl, high water.

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: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor.
Comments: The river gauge is 37.2 feet.  The Thane Road gate is closed due to high water.

Beryl Anthony/Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Weather: Mild temperatures during the day followed by near freezing temperatures at night.
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: Fair for the rest of the week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Fair

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 20
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Fair for the rest of the week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Fair for the rest of the week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 80
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather:  Fair for the rest of the week.
 Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 260.38 msl
Habitat Conditions: Water is falling.
Weather: Fair for the rest of the week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed..
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.

Sulphur River WMA:
Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Fair for the rest of 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: Fair for the rest of 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: Cold and dry forecast for the week.
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.   
General Comments: Water level in Point Remove Creek is falling fast.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks have moved into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks have moved in the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
.
Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks have moved in the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks have moved in the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair. 

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks have moved in the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.

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: Colder temperatures this week. 
Migrations/Observations: Have seen no ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very low.  Have seen no geese using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
General Comments: Very little happening.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100  flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Poor mast crop, native grasses left in fields.
Weather: Will have cooler temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Have seen no ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very, low.  Have seen no geese using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunters giving up.
General Comments: Lake is down to normal level.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Water has been higher than normal.
Weather: A cold front has moved in and is going to remain cold most of the week.  
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks being seen.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters.
General Comments: The water in the duck area has stabilized and cleared up.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: More ducks have moved in the area. 
Duck Abundance: High.
General Comments: No hunting in this area.

 

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