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. 26, 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 near 63. North-northwest winds around 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 44. East-northeast winds around 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low near 29. East-northeast winds around 10 mph.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. East wind around 10 mph. 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 37. East-southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. East-southeast winds around 5 mph.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North-northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low near 42.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 54.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Lake Ashbaugh is holding several thousand ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor to fair.  A moderate number of hunters are killing a ducks.
General Comments: The Black River remains out of its banks and additional hunting areas are flooded. The reading at Corning has been holding steady around 10.5 feet. The Brookings gauge is at 267.7 and the gauge at Hubble Bridge is 269.35. Low temperatures are causing some areas to freeze.  Hunters are reporting seeing more ducks, but stating that it is very difficult to get them to respond to calls or decoys.
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100. The Upper Island msl gauge is at 270. The Lower Island msl gauge is at 269.5.
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100% with the upper impoundment msl gauge is at 268 and the lower impoundment msl gauge at 267.8
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100% with the canal access msl gauge is at 263.9.

Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100% flooded at 239.75 msl. The Rainey Brake GTR is 100% flooded at 238.45 msl.
Habitat Conditions: Good water conditions.
Weather: No rain in the forecast with highs in the low 50s.
Migrations/Observations: No ducks observed moving into the area.
Duck Abundance: Duck numbers low on area.      
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity moderate with some success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Oak Donnick gauge is at 215.2 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:  On Jan. 21, 2,000 ducks were using the Snowden and 1,000 ducks were using the Payneway moist soil units.  Approximately 50% were mallards, 25% ring-necked ducks, and the remaining were a mix of gadwall, pintail, shoveler, and coots.
Hunter Activity/Success:  A fair number of hunters having moderate success.

Earl Buss/Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The timber units are flooded at full pool. The South Oliver gauge is at 1.7 with the Thompson gauge at 1.38.
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 observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are having a little success.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: North woods 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 in the north woods; with a present reading of 236.3 and falling. Target is 234.5 in the south woods; with a present reading of 235.0 and falling.
Habitat Conditions:  Muddy water throughout area.
Migrations/Observations:  Low number of ducks migrating to and from Big Lake NWR.
Duck Abundance: Low 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 water in south woods. Boaters should be aware of pipes open at high line. 

       
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 70%. White River at Augusta is at 31.93 feet. and Georgetown 21.9 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cold conditions
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of ducks
Duck Abundance:  Wood ducks and a few mallards have been observed
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: Water conditions are good.  Access roads closed
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100% at 194+ feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cold conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations: Fair population of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Wood duck numbers are good and a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: Access roads closed.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 100% at 194+ feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cold conditions but dry.
Migrations/Observations: Fair duck numbers have been reported.
Duck Abundance:  Wood duck numbers are good with a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: Access roads closed.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  65%.
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is stable but has begun to fall north of the area.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks are using the area but in low numbers. No new flights observed
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate/Low
General Comments: The Cache River gauge at Cotton Plant is at 18.58 feet and falling.
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 using the GTR but in low numbers
Duck Abundance: Few mallards and fair wood duck numbers 
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate/Low  
General Comments:. High water over the main road in several places
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is stable but has begun to fall north of the area.
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:  Below average temperatures forecasted.
Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and wood ducks have been observed.   
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
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 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 observations 
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Few ducks being killed
General Comments:
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Few Ducks.
General Comments: Closed to hunting, even on the last three days of season.

Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 15
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 on the rest area.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
General Comments: Closed to hunting, even on the last three days of season.

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None noted
Duck Abundance:  Few
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 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:  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.  
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  The rest area is closed the last three days of waterfowl season.
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: The rest area is open the last three days of waterfowl season.

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:  Lot of ice Monday morning, water at normal levels.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Ducks are using the rest area.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.
General Comments:  The rest area is closed the last three days of waterfowl season.

 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:  133.5 msl with a slow fall.

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 39.3 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 and mild for upcoming week.
Migrations/Observations: Few 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 and mild for upcoming week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
            Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Fair and mild for upcoming week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 80
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather:  Fair and mild for the upcoming week.
 Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.88 msl
Habitat Conditions: Water is falling.
Weather: Fair for this 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 and mild for the upcoming week.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor

Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  100
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Fair and mild for upcoming week.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights 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: Waterfowl rest area will remain closed. Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: On Saturday, ducks were observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Saturday ducks were observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.  High numbers at Horsehead Creek.
Hunter Activity/Success: Spotty.
General Comments: No hunting last three days on Horsehead Creek and Bob Young (Carbon City) Waterfowl Rest Areas. Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Saturday ducks were observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Saturday ducks were observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair. 
General Comments: Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Saturday ducks were observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

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: Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

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, Very Low.  Have seen no geese using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunters giving up.
General Comments: Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100.
Habitat Conditions: Water has been higher than normal.
Weather: Cool weather is forecast for most of the week with a small chance of rain for the weekend.  
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks being seen.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters.
General Comments: You will be able to hunt all day on the last three days.  Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Weather: Cold temperatures this week.
Migrations/Observations: Saturday ducks were observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: High.
General Comments: No hunting. Season ends Sunday, Jan. 30.
 

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