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. 21, 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 cloudy, with a high near 46. Calm wind.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Calm wind.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 56. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low near 37. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 61. South southwest wind around 10 mph.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 57. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West northwest wind around 10 mph.

Christmas Day: Partly cloudy, with a high near 51. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

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

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 55.

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

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 59.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA: Percent Flooded: 100% Habitat Conditions: Good with an excellent mast crop. Migrations/Observations: Duck abundance was good for the opening of the split, but numbers were much lower by Monday morning. Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity was very high over the weekend and success was spotty. Many hunters reported seeing good numbers of ducks, but success was low due to the high volume of hunters and shooting. Fair numbers of hunters on the area Monday morning, but very little shooting was reported. General Comments: As of Dec. 19 the Black River had fallen to 3.5 feet at Corning and subsequently many of the low-lying areas that were holding water have now drained back into the river. The GTRs are at 100%, but water levels within them have fallen slightly due to the lower level of Black River. Huntable water is limited to the Green Tree Reservoirs. 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: 100%

Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA: Percent Flooded: The Adam's Brake GTR is 60 percent flooded at 237.5 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 70 percent flooded at 237.5 MSL. The Phase III moist soil unit is 50 percent flooded and the River Field MSU is 100 percent flooded. Habitat Conditions: The water source from Lake Charles has been depleted. Water level in the GTR is dropping. Clear water with a good mast crop. Weather: No rain in the forecast with highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s. Migrations/Observations: No ducks observed moving into the area. Duck Abundance: Duck abundance low. Mostly wood ducks. Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity was moderate on the first day after the split with a few ducks being killed. Hunter activity has been light this week with poor success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA: Percent Flooded: The Oak Donnick gauge is at 212.47 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 65% 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 have been below normal during the first part of the week with highs in the upper 30s and lows in lower 20s. A warming trend will be arriving at the end of the week and into the weekend with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. Migrations/Observations: A few ducks and snow geese can be seen flying south. Duck Abundance: Few ducks are using the moist soil units. A few ducks are using newly inundated timber and the St. Francis Lake. Hunter Activity/Success: Some hunters are reporting good success on the north end of the area. Spotty success reported on the central section of the area.

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA: Percent Flooded: The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 0.58. 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: High temperatures in the 40's and warming up to the 50's by the end of the week with a chance of precipitation on Saturday. Migrations/Observations: A few flocks of ducks, snow geese and white-fronted geese are moving through the area. Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the Thompson Tract. Hunter Activity/Success: A few hunters have been having moderate success. General Comments: Boaters should be aware of submerged logs in shallow areas.

Big Lake WMA: Percent Flooded: Area is 35% flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 in North woods; present reading is 234.8. Target is 234.5 in South woods; present reading is 233.9 Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is excellent in the timber. The Simmons Field Units have millet, sedges and smartweed scattered throughout. Weather Conditions: Highs in the upper 40s to low 50s, lows in the upper 20s to low 30s. Migrations/Observations: Number of ducks observed migrating across the area lower than last week. Duck Abundance: Poor Hunter Activity/Success: Low number of hunters using the area. Low number of ducks per hunter. General Comments: Water level in the timber is low.

EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA: Percent Flooded: 0%. White River at Augusta is falling. Augusta is at 16.29 feet and Georgetown is 3.79 feet. Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Mild conditions and very dry. Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Water conditions are very low and the area will need significant rainfall for improvement. North GTR: Percent Flooded: 0% Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Mild conditions and very dry. Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted. 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: Mild conditions. Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Water conditions are very low and the area will need significant rainfall for improvement.

Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA: Percent Flooded: 0%. Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Mild conditions. Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 3.12 feet. Very low water conditions exist on the Cache River corridor.

Dagmar WMA: Percent Flooded: 0%. Habitat Conditions: Bayou DeView is very low. Weather: Mild conditions. Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed. Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed. Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Only permanent water is available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is 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 3.12 feet. Apple Lake Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 10%. 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

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA: Percent Flooded: 50%. Habitat Conditions: Main impoundments are at or near flood pool. Impoundment A is two tenths below flood pool and impoundment B is four tenths below flood pool. Weather: Mild conditions Migrations/Observations: New flights reported Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate to fair. General Comments: A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 22 holes will be drawn on site each day. A computer online draw was established for (5) stations and (one) mobility impaired blind throughout 2005-2006 season. Access to hunting stations has improved due to recent pumping efforts.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Bell Slough and Camp Robinson WMAs: Percent Flooded: 55%. Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. Migrations/Observations: Most ducks have left the area. Duck Abundance: Low. Hunter Activity/Success: Several hunters killed ducks Friday and Saturday, but most ducks had left the area by Sunday. General Comments: The east boat launch has been channeled for easier access to Grassy Lake. Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 5%. Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production. Migrations/Observations: None Duck Abundance: No ducks. General Comments: Rainfall is needed in the area.

Holland Bottoms WMA: Percent Flooded: 15%. Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks in the ditches. Duck Abundance: Very low. Hunter Activity/Success: No activity noted. General Comments: Waiting on rainfall. Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 100%. Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production. Migrations/Observations: A small number 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 noted. Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: A lot of hunter activity with limited success. General Comments: 43 vehicles were in the parking lot on Saturday morning.

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: High activity with limited success. General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA: General Comments: Very dry conditions in the WMA. Upper Vallier: Percent Flooded: 0%. Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low Lower Vallier: Percent Flooded: 0%. Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low Government Cypress: Percent Flooded: 0%. Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low Buckingham Flats: Percent Flooded: 15% to 20%. Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low General Comments: Still pumping water into the area. Temple Island: Percent Flooded: 0%. Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low General Comments: Water levels are too low to pump. Halowell Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 100%. Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Moderate Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: N/A Wrape Plantation: Percent Flooded: 60%. Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Moderate Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA: Open Area Percent Flooded: 10%. Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop, conditions poor due to low water. Migrations/Observations: Fair Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low numbers of hunters with poor success. General Comments: Deep Slough is at 129.5 MSL. Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 5%. Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop, but conditions are poor due to low water. Migrations/Observations: Fair Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

Seven Devils WMA: Percent Flooded: 20%. Habitat Conditions: Poor due to low water. Migrations/Observations: Fair Duck Abundance: Low, with a fair number of wood ducks. Hunter Activity/Success: Few hunters with little success General Comments: Gauge is at 129.0 MSL. Boating access is shallow on the west end and no boating access on the east end.

Trusten Holder WMA at the Arkansas River: Percent Flooded: River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding. Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Few Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry was at 26 feet on Dec. 19.

Choctaw Island WMA: Percent Flooded: River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding. Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor Comments: Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City was at 3.2 feet on Dec. 19.

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 in the area. Duck Abundance: Low

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: 259.1 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 Hunter Activity/Success: Fair success during the youth hunt.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA: Percent Flooded: 20% Habitat Conditions: Lots of millet and natural vegetation. Weather: Dry with no significant amounts of rain in forecast. Migrations/Observations: Few ducks coming into the area. Duck Abundance: Poor Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Point Remove Creek is too low to pump.

Arkansas River Valley: Percent Flooded: 25% Habitat Conditions: Good Weather: Dry with no significant amounts of rain in forecast. Migrations/Observations: A few mallards and snow geese are being reported in the area. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low General Comments: Need general rainfall and cold front to help move ducks into the area.

Dardanelle WMA: Percent Flooded: 100% Habitat Conditions: Good Weather: Dry with no significant amount of rain in forecast. Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese have moved into the area. Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Need general rainfall and cold front to help move ducks into the area.

Ozark Pool: Percent Flooded: 100% Habitat Conditions: Good Weather: Dry with no significant amount of rain in the forecast. Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese observed. Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Need rainfall and cold front to help move ducks into the area.

Dyer Lake Cells: Percent Flooded: 50% Habitat Conditions: Good - millet in moist soil units Weather: Dry with possibility of rain this weekend. Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese observed Duck Abundance: Low 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: Dry with slight possibility of rain later this week. Migrations/Observations: Several flights of snow geese. Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: Fair 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: Lots of hard mast in the WMA. Weather: Cool temperatures with little chance of rain in the forecast. Migrations/Observations: Starting to see a little migration activity. Duck Abundance: Few. Hunter Activity/Success: Fair. General Comments: Need general rainfall and cold weather to move birds into the area

Lake Nimrod WMA: Percent Flooded: 75% Habitat Conditions: A lot of hard mast. Some small grains have been planted in the fields. Weather: Cool and dry with no significant rain in the forecast. Migrations/Observations: Starting to see a little migration activity. Duck Abundance: Moderately low. Some teal and wood ducks. Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Need rainfall and cold weather to move ducks into the area

Galla Creek WMA: Percent Flooded: 100% Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. Weather: Cool and dry. Migrations/Observations: A few ducks are coming into the area during the mid-morning hours. Duck Abundance: Poor Hunter Activity/Success: Poor

Johnson County Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 40% Habitat Conditions: Poor Weather: Dry, with little to no rainfall in the forecast. Migrations/Observations: Several mallards are moving through the area. Duck Abundance: Moderate Hunter Activity/Success: N/A General Comments: No hunting.

Frog Bayou WMA: Percent Flooded: 5% Habitat Conditions: Poor Weather: Dry. Slight chance of rain in this weekend's forecast. Migrations/Observations: None observed. Duck Abundance: No ducks sighted. Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: The water that is in the levee borrow is rapidly decreasing.

*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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