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 Dec. 7, 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 44. East northeast wind around 10 mph.

Tonight: A chance of rain and sleet between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 29. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday: Snow likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly sunny, with a high around 36. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low near 18. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 42. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. East wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 53. West southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 31.

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 53.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 53. 

 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS - 
 
Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 95% 
Habitat Conditions: Good with an excellent mast crop. 
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of ducks on the area and Lake Ashbaugh is holding several thousand.    
Hunter Activity/Success: A moderate number of hunters reported killing limits of mallards over the last week but success was spotty across the WMA.   
General Comments: Black River reached 9 feet at the Corning gauge on Dec. 5.   This will create some over-bank flooding in a few new areas and should provide a little more habitat to hold ducks over the split.   
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s: 
Percent Flooded: 100%.   
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s: 
Percent Flooded: 100%   
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s: 
Percent Flooded: 90% 
 
Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA: 
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 70% flooded at 238.0 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 70% flooded at 237.8 MSL. The Phase III moist soil unit is 50% flooded and the River Field MSU is 100% flooded. 
Habitat Conditions: Clear water with a good mast crop. 
Weather: The high will be in the 30s this week with lows in the 20s. A slight chance of light snow is predicted for Wednesday and Thursday.   
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed moving into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Duck abundance is low. Mostly wood ducks. 
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has been light and hunter success poor with few ducks being killed, mostly wood ducks. 
 
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA: 
Percent Flooded:  The Oak Donnick gauge is at 212.14 MSL.  At this level a portion of the timber between the St. Francis floodway levees is inundated.  The Payneway moist soil units are 55% flooded.  The Snowden moist soil unit is 60% 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:  Temperatures are below normal for the week with a slim chance of snow on Wednesday.      
Migrations/Observations:  A few ducks and snow geese can be seen flying south.    
Duck Abundance:  A small number of ducks are using the moist soil units.  A few wood ducks are using newly inundated timber.    
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are having a little success, mainly with wood ducks within the timber. 
 
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA: 
Percent Flooded:  The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 0.39.  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:  Colder temperatures with a chance of precipitation in the forecast. 
Migrations/Observations:  A few flocks of ducks, snow geese, and white-fronted geese are moving through the area. 
Duck Abundance:  Very few 
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are harvesting very few ducks.   
General Comments:  Boaters should be aware of submerged logs in shallow areas. 
 
Big Lake WMA: 
Percent Flooded: The area is 30% flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 in the north woods with a present reading of 234.8 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading of 233.7 MSL. 
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is excellent in the timber.  The Simmons Field Units have millet, sedges and smartweed scattered throughout. 
Weather Conditions:  Cold weather is expected this week.   
Migrations/Observations:  An increased number of ducks have been observed migrating across the area. 
Duck Abundance: Low.   
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters are using the area. Very few ducks are being harvested. 
General Comments: Water level in the timber is low.    
 
          
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS- 
 
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 0% White River at Augusta is at 18.4 feet and Georgetown is at 5.6 feet and is forecast to fall throughout the week.   
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. 
Weather:  Cold conditions   
Migrations/Observations:  Low duck numbers. 
Duck Abundance: Low    
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement. 
North GTR:   
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. 
Weather: Cold conditions   
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers. 
Duck Abundance:  Low. 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
General Comments: Water conditions are low and will need significant rainfall for improvement. 
South GTR:    
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop 
Weather: Cold conditions   
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers   
Duck Abundance:  Low. 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement. 
. 
Dagmar WMA: 
Percent Flooded:  0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is very low 
Weather: Cold conditions 
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.   
Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
 General Comments: Only permanent water available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is also extremely low and not navigable. 
Mud Slough GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 0%   
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: Poor   
General Comments:  Unable to flood the GTR due to extreme low water conditions on Cache and Bayou DeView. Cache River is presently at 3.0 feet. 
Apple Lake Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 10%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop 
Weather: Mild conditions 
Migrations/Observations: A fair number of mallards and wood ducks using the lake.     
Duck Abundance: Fair   
Hunter Activity/Success: Open all day December 10-11 for the youth waterfowl hunt 
General Comments:  Low water conditions    
 
Rex Hancock/Black Swamp WMA: 
Percent Flooded:  0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop 
Weather: Cold conditions 
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted      
Duck Abundance: Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor   
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 3.0 feet and is forecasted to rise 3/10ths over the next 3 days. Low water conditions exist on the Cache River corridor and will need additional rainfall to improve water conditions. 

Lee Leblanc Rest Area 
Percent Flooded:  0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Dry except for a few small potholes.  Very limited opportunity.   
Weather: Cold conditions 
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted      
Duck Abundance: Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success:   
General Comments: The rest area will be open all day during the youth waterfowl hunt on December 10-11.  Due to low water conditions on the Cache River, pumping has been impossible.    
 
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 70%.              
Habitat Conditions:  Pumping begin on Nov. 30 to improve waterfowl habitat conditions and to improve hunter access to the WMA.  Impoundment A is .2 feet below flood pool and Impoundment D is .5 feet below flood pool.  Pumping will continue this week. 
Weather: Cold conditions 
Migrations/Observations: No new flights reported   
Duck Abundance: Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
General Comments:  This area will be open all day for the youth waterfowl hunt on Dec. 10-11.  A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) will be held both days and approximately 25 permits will be drawn on site.  Access to all hunting stations has improved dramatically due to the pumping.  Hunter Success was very poor this past weekend but may improve with the cold front this week. 
 
 
CENTRAL ARKANSAS- 
 
Bell Slough and Camp Robinson WMAs: 
Percent Flooded: 50-55%. 
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. 
Migrations/Observations: Some flights of new ducks have been observed. 
Duck Abundance: Moderate, mostly gadwalls and wood ducks. 
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate activity with very little to moderate success.    
General Comments: The east boat launch has been channeled for easier access to Grassy Lake. 
Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 10%. 
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production. 
Migrations/Observations: None 
Duck Abundance: No Ducks 
General Comments:  Waiting on rainfall 
 
Holland Bottoms WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 20%. 
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. 
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks on the ditches 
Duck Abundance: Very few 
Hunter Activity/Success: Some activity with limited success. 
General Comments: Waiting on rainfall 
Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 50%. 
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: 95%   
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.   
Migrations/Observations: None   
Duck Abundance: Very Few 
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate to high activity with limited success.    
General Comments: Fair numbers of wood ducks 
 
Lake Conway: 
Percent Flooded: 100%. 
Habitat Conditions: Normal 
Migrations/Observations: Some flights of new ducks have been observed. 
Duck Abundance: Few ducks. 
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate activity, but very few in the bag. 
General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting.       
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS- 
 
Bayou Meto WMA: 
Upper Vallier: 
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Fair   
Migrations/Observations:  Poor   
Duck Abundance:   Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A   
  Lower Vallier: 
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Fair   
Migrations/Observations:   Poor 
Duck Abundance:   Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A   
Government Cypress: 
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Fair   
Migrations/Observations:  Fair   
Duck Abundance:   Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A   
  Buckingham Flats: 
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions:   Fair 
Migrations/Observations:  Low   
Duck Abundance:   Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success:   N/A 
General Comments:   Pumping water now, but still no huntable water. 
  Temple Island: 
Percent Flooded: 0%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Fair   
Migrations/Observations:  Low   
Duck Abundance:   Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A   
General Comments:   Water levels too low to pump. 
Halowell Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 85%. 
Habitat Conditions:   Good 
Migrations/Observations:   Moderate 
Duck Abundance:   Moderate 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A 
Wrape Plantation: 
Percent Flooded: 45%. 
Habitat Conditions:   Good 
Migrations/Observations:   Moderate 
Duck Abundance:   Moderate 
Hunter Activity/Success:   N/A 
 
Cut-Off Creek WMA: 
Open Area 
Percent Flooded: 5%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Good mast crop, conditions poor due to low water. 
Migrations/Observations:   Fair   
Duck Abundance:   Low 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A   
General Comments:   Deep Slough is at 129.4 MSL. 
Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 5%. 
Habitat Conditions:  Good mast crop, conditions poor due to low water. 
Migrations/Observations:   Fair 
Duck Abundance:   Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A. 
 
 Seven Devils WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 10%. 
Habitat Conditions:   Poor due to low water. 
Migrations/Observations:   Fair 
Duck Abundance:   Low with a fair number of wood ducks. 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A 
General Comments:   Water is too low for boating access. Gauge is at 128.5 MSL. 
 
Trusten Holder WMA at Arkansas River: 
Percent Flooded: .River water only 
Habitat Conditions:   Good 
Migrations/Observations:   A few gadwall, teal and scaup 
Duck Abundance:   Few 
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A 
 
Choctaw Island WMA: 
Percent Flooded:   River water only 
Habitat Conditions:   Good 
Migrations/Observations:   Low 
Duck Abundance:   Low 
Hunter Activity/Success:   N/A 
Comments:   The river gauge is 3.8 feet. 
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS- 
 
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 60% 
Habitat Conditions: Good conditions. 
Weather: Cold 
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks   
Duck Abundance: Should have more ducks with recent cold front. 
 
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc WMA: 
  Red Slough Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 0% 
Habitat Conditions:  Dry 
Weather: Cold   
Migrations/Observations: No ducks. 
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks. 
General Comments:  Good mast production. 
  Greentree Reservoir: 
Percent Flooded: 15% 
Habitat Conditions: The mast crop is good. 
Weather: Cold   
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks. 
Duck Abundance: Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
Little Grassy: 
Percent Flooded: 10% 
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Cold 
 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: 259.2 MSL. 
Habitat Conditions: Water is stable. 
Weather: Cold 
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% 
Habitat Conditions: Poor. 
Weather: Cold 
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.   
Duck Abundance:  Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
Henry Moore Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded:  90% 
Habitat Conditions: Good    
Weather: Cold 
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks. 
Duck Abundance: Fair   
 
  
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS- 
 
Ed Gordon/Point Remove WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 10% 
Habitat Conditions: Lots of millet and natural vegetation 
Weather: Cold front moving in this week 
Migrations/Observations:  Few ducks coming into the area 
Duck Abundance: Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair 
General Comments:  Now pumping 
 
Arkansas River Valley: 
Percent Flooded: 25% 
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Cold front moving in this week 
Migrations/Observations: A few mallards and snow geese in the area.   
Duck Abundance: Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: Low      
General Comments:  Need cold front to help move ducks into the area. 
 
Dardanelle WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 100% 
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Cold front moving into the area this week 
Migrations/Observations:  Several flights of snow geese moved in over the weekend 
Duck Abundance: Moderate 
Hunter Activity/Success: Few limits are being taken by hunters over the area 
General Comments: Need cold front to push more ducks into the area   
 
Ozark Pool: 
Percent Flooded: 100% 
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Warm and mild 
Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese observed    
Duck Abundance: Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor      
General Comments:  Need cold front to push ducks into the area 
 
Dyer Lake Cells: 
Percent Flooded: 50% 
Habitat Conditions: Good - millet in moist soil units 
Weather: Cold front to move into area this week 
Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese observed 
Duck Abundance: Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor      
General Comments: Need general rainfall and cold fronts to move ducks into the area 
 
Arkansas River Pool 9: 
Percent Flooded: 100% 
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Cold front to move in this week 
Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese   
Duck Abundance: Low 
Hunter Activity/Success: Low      
General Comments:  Need general rainfall and cold fronts to move birds into the area 
 
Petit Jean WMA: 
Percent Flooded:    
  Black Lands Moist Soil Units- 95% 
  Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units- 75% 
  Pullen Pond- 0% 
  Pond Creek- 0% 
  Slaty Pond- 0% 
  Santa Fe- 0% 
Habitat Conditions:  a lot of hard mast 
Weather: Cold front to move into area this week 
Migrations/Observations: Very few   
Duck Abundance: No migrations 
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
General Comments:  Need general rainfall and cold weather to push birds into the area. 
 
Lake Nimrod WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 75% 
Habitat Conditions: A lot of hard mast, some small grains planted in fields 
Weather: Cold front to move into the area this week 
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate migrations 
Duck Abundance: Moderately low, some teal and wood ducks 
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A 
General Comments:  Need general rainfall and cold weather to   
move into the area 
 
Galla Creek WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 100% 
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop 
Weather: Cold front to move into the area this week 
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks coming in mid-morning 
Duck Abundance: Poor 
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A      
General Comments: 100% 
 
Johnson County Rest Area: 
Percent Flooded: 40% 
Habitat Conditions: Good 
Weather: Cold front to move into the area this week 
Migrations/Observations: Several mallards moved through over the weekend   
Duck Abundance: High 
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A      
General Comments: No hunting. Have a good number of mallards using moist soil units 
 
Frog Bayou WMA: 
Percent Flooded: 5% 
Habitat Conditions: Poor 
Weather: Cold front to move into the area this week 
Migrations/Observations: None observed 
Duck Abundance: No ducks sighted 
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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