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 Nov. 23, 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: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high around 63. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 31. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 51. East southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 58. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low near 46.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 62.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 60.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded:80 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good with an excellent mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy pressure over opening weekend, with few hunters reporting good success.
General Comments: Black River is rising and is forecasted for 8 feet at the Corning gauge on Nov. 23.  This should provide some over-bank flooding in some areas and should get the area closer to 100 percent flooded.
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 80 percent
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent, this area currently is being flooded, the boat runs and lower areas have water.

Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 60 percent flooded at 238.1 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 50 percent flooded at 237.8 MSL. The Phase III moist soil unit is 50 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Clear water with a good mast crop.
Weather: No rain in the forecast with a high in the 50s and a low in the low 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No ducks observed moving into the area.
Duck Abundance: Duck abundance is low, mostly wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter pressure over the weekend. Hunter success poor with few ducks being killed, mostly wood ducks.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Oak Donnick gauge is at 210.94 MSL. Due to the recent drought conditions, the St. Francis River is low resulting in little to no flooded timber between the levees of the St. Francis floodway. The Payneway moist soil units are 55 percent flooded.  The Snowden moist soil unit is 70 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions:  The Payneway moist soil unit has a good stand of panic grass and wild millet, with a fair stand of smartweed and yellow nut sedge mixed within.  The Snowden moist soil unit has a higher abundance of the same vegetation.  Acorn production is considered excellent within the timber.
Weather:  The cold front pushing through at the end of last week brought cold and clear conditions, resulting in 20 to 30 degree lows and highs in the 50s. 
Migrations/Observations: There are a few ducks in the area as well as a fair amount of snow geese flying south. 
Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the moist soil units.  A few wood ducks are using the St. Francis River and drainage ditches off of the river.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Very few hunters are using the area due to low water conditions and they are having little success.

Earl Buss/Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded: The boat lanes within the Thompson Tract are flooded with shallow areas scattered throughout. The Martin and South Oliver Tracts are primarily dry due to lack of rainfall. A few natural sloughs may be found.
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is excellent.
Weather: Cooler temperatures with a chance of rain expected this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks are being seen using the natural sloughs.  A few flocks of snow and white-fronted geese are moving through the area.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: A fair number of hunters are harvesting a few wood ducks.
General Comments: Boaters be aware of submerged logs in shallow areas.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: Area is 30 percent flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the north woods; present reading is 234.6 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with the present reading at 233.5 MSL.
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is excellent in the timber. The Simmons Field Units have scattered millet, sedges and smartweed scattered throughout.
Weather Conditions:  Mild temperatures with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.  Cold front expected to move in on Thursday with temperatures slightly below normal.
Migrations/Observations:  There are around 30,000 mixed species of ducks using Big Lake NWR.  Small number of wood ducks in the timber on the WMA, very few other species of ducks on the area.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: 150 to 200 hunters using the area.  Less than 1 bird per hunter average.
General Comments: Water level in the timber is low.  There will be a slow rise on the area until we receive more rain                     

       
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake WMA
Percent Flooded: 0 percent. White River at Augusta is falling. Augusta is at 11.1 feet and Georgetown is at 1 foot.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Mild conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations:  Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are very low for opening day.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are low for opening day.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions .
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are very low for opening day.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is very low.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
 General Comments: Only permanent water available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is also extremely low and not navigable.
Mud Slough GTR:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions. 
Migrations/Observations:  No new flights.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks in the slough pockets.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  Unable to flood the GTR due to extreme low water conditions on Cache and Bayou DeView. Cache River is presently at 2.8 feet.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks using the lake. 
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Closed to access.
General Comments:  Very low water conditions.
 
Rex Hancock/Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded:  0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted.   
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 2.8 feet. Very low water conditions exist on the Cache River corridor for opening weekend.

Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent.           
Habitat Conditions:  East and west impoundments are below full pool.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Several new flights reported.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 15 permits will be drawn on site opening day. A computer online draw established for 5 stations and one mobility impaired blind throughout season. Access to hunting stations will be difficult due to low water conditions.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Bell Slough and Camp Robinson WMAs:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: A few hunters managed to find a duck or two but most were flying high. 
General Comments: The slough is full, but very little water in the timber.  
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: No ducks.
General Comments:  Waiting on rainfall.
Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks on the ditches.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: None.
General Comments: Waiting on rainfall.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations:  A handful of mallards are using the rest area. 
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: A few groups filled a bag or two of mixed ducks. 
General Comments: Fair numbers of wood ducks.

Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Normal.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Several early volleys were heard opening weekend
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: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair.
Migrations/Observations:  Poor.
Duck Abundance:  Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair.
Migrations/Observations: Poor.
Duck Abundance:  Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:   Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
General Comments:  Water levels too low to pump.
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Fair.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
General Comments:  Water levels too low to pump.
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 70 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate.
Duck Abundance:  Moderate.

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good mast crop, conditions poor due to low water.
Migrations/Observations:  Poor at this time.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Activity low, success poor.
General Comments:  Deep Slough is at 129.2 MSL.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop, conditions poor due to low water.
Migrations/Observations:  Poor.
Duck Abundance:  Low.

 Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Poor due to low water.
Migrations/Observations:  Poor.
Duck Abundance:  Low with a good number of wood ducks
Hunter Activity/Success:  Activity low, success poor.
General Comments: Water is too low for boating access.

Trusten Holder WMA at the Arkansas River:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair, mallards, gadwalls, teal and shovelers.
Duck Abundance:  Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair.

Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair.
Migrations/Observations:   Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
Comments:  The river gauge is 5 feet.

Beryl Anthony/Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Weather: Much colder temperatures this weekend.
Duck Abundance: No ducks reported.
General Comments: Area is dependent on the river to flood and will need a lot of rain before the area floods.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good conditions.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Dry.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: No ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
General Comments:  Good mast production.
Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: The mast crop is good.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very low.
General Comments:  Very little water.
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
 Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Moist soil unit has good seed production and should attract ducks later in the season.

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.35 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Water is stable.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
Duck Abundance:  Duck numbers are fair. Mallards, gadwall and wood ducks are being reported.

Sulphur River WMA:
  Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded:  10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  90 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon/Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Lots of millet and natural vegetation.
Weather: Cold and dry.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A   
General Comments: Point Remove Creek is too low to pump.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Extremely dry.
Weather: Cold front this week should help move ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations:  None observed.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A   
General Comments: Habitat conditions are poor. The area needs major rainfall to improve habitat.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: The cold front this week should push more birds into the area
Migrations/Observations: Good number of ducks around Spadra Creek, Cabin Creek and McKenon Waterfowl Area.
Duck Abundance: Moderate
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Should have a good opening day on the river around Clarksville.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need major weather event to move ducks into the area.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good moist soil units planted in millet
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations:  None observed
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A   
General Comments:  Need major weather event to complete flooding of the remaining moist soil units.

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor - Agricultural fields are dry
Weather: Need general rainfall and cold weather to move ducks into the area
Migrations/Observations: None observed
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A   
General Comments: Need general rainfall and cold weather to move ducks into the area

Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
Black Lands Moist Soil Units- 95 percent
Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units- 0 percent
Pullen Pond- 0 percent
Pond Creek- 0 percent
Slaty Pond- 0 percent
Santa Fe- 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: A lot of hard mast on the WMA.
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed
Duck Abundance: Relatively low numbers overall. Some wood ducks and teal.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  Very little rainfall, conditions extremely dry.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habit.at Conditions: A lot of hard mast, some small grains planted in fields.
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate migration.
Duck Abundance: Moderately low, some teal and wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  Very little rainfall, conditions extremely dry.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Weather: Dry.
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks reported.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A   
General Comments:  100 percent flooded.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cold front this week will move ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks moved into the area last week.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A   
General Comments: No hunting. Need general rainfall to improve habitat conditions.

Frog Bayou WMA:
            Percent Flooded: Less than 5 percent.
            Habitat Conditions: Poor
            Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
            Migrations/Observations:  None observed.
            Duck Abundance: No ducks reported.
            Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A
            General Comments:  The only water is in the levee borrow. The area will
            need significant rainfall to improve conditions.

*Information on river levels can be found at: <http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/> or <http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html> or <http://www.agfc.com/education/waterlevels_details.html>
Sunrise sunset tables are available at: <http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html> and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.
 

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