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. 18, 2006.
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 62. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 68. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after  a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low near 51. South wind between 10 and 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 63. South wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 58. North northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast.

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

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low near 36.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a high near 51.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 54.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good with an excellent mast crop.
Migrations/Observation: Very few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Moderate hunting pressure with little success being reported.  
General Comments: Black River has risen to near 5 feet at Corning.  Recent rains have stabilized water levels and more rain is expected this week.
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s
Percent Flooded: 95 percent

Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 30 percent flooded at 237.0 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 50 percent flooded at 237.0 MSL. The Phase III moist soil unit is 20 percent flooded and the River Field moist soil unit is 80 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: The water source from Lake Charles has been depleted. The water level continues to drop in the GTR. Clear water conditions with a good mast crop.
Weather: A chance for rain is in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday, then clearing with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks have been observed moving into the area.
Duck Abundance: Duck abundance is fair with most located in lower GTR.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has been moderate with fair hunter 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 percent flooded.  The Snowden moist soil unit is 60 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:  Temperatures will be above normal for the week with highs in the 50s and 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s with a slight chance of rain on Friday and Saturday.       
Migrations/Observations:  Few ducks are being reported. There are a fair number of snow geese flying the river floodway. 
Duck Abundance:  Few ducks are using the moist soil units.  Few ducks are using natural sloughs off the floodway ditches and the St. Francis Lake.  
Hunter Activity/Success:  Spotty success is being reported.  

  
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 0.79 feet.  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 mid 50s to low 60s with a chance of precipitation on Friday.
Migrations/Observations:  No major migrations at this point.
Duck Abundance:  A few ducks are using the Thompson Tract.
Hunter Activity/Success:  A few hunters are having fair success.
General Comments:  Boaters should be aware of submerged logs in the shallow areas.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The area is 90 percent flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target is 235.5 in the north woods with a present reading of 235.4. Target is 234.5 in the south woods with a present reading of 234.5. The Simmons Field unit is 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is excellent in the timber.  The Simmons Field Units have millet, sedges and smartweed scattered throughout.
Weather Conditions:  Temperatures should be in the 50s for the highs and lows in the 30s for the week. 
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate numbers observed.
Duck Abundance: Fair number of ducks. Increased use of the area in the afternoons.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low number of hunters that are averaging very low number of kills. 
General Comments: Increased water in the timber should allow for easier navigation in the woods. 
       
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-


Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent. White River at Augusta is at 13.1 feet and Georgetown is at 0.7 feet.  White River is forecasted to rise 0.5 feet by the end of the week.
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 percent.
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 the area will need significant rainfall for improvement.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
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 percent.
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 3.3 feet and forecasted to rise to 5.1 feet by the end of the week. Very low water conditions still exist on the Cache River corridor.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  0 percent.
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 available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is 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: Poor
General Comments:  Unable to flood the GTR due to extreme low water conditions on the Cache River and Bayou DeView. Cache River is presently at 3.3 feet and is forecasted to rise to 5.1 feet by the end of the week.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks are 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 percent.           
Habitat Conditions:  Main impoundments are at or near flood pool.  Impoundment A is .5 below flood pool and impoundment D is .4 below flood pool.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: New flights reported.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has been moderate with fair hunting success.
General Comments:  A quota permit draw two hours before official shooting hours is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 16 holes will be drawn on site each day. A computer online draw was established for five stations and one mobility impaired blind throughout 2005-2006 season. All hunters who have drawn an online permit must be present prior to the official on site quota permit draw to inform AGFC personnel that you will be hunting.  If you do not check in prior to the draw, your assigned hole will be placed in the draw for that particular day.  Access to hunting stations has improved due to recent rain and pumping efforts.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Bell Slough and Camp Robinson WMAs:
Percent Flooded: 70 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few new ducks. 
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: High hunter activity with poor success rates.   
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:  A few ducks in the ditches and the gas line.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters with poor success rates. 
General Comments: Waiting on rainfall.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
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 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Few
Hunter Activity/Success:  High hunter activity with limited success.
General Comments: Very little shooting.
 
Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Normal
Migrations/Observations: None noted.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate activity with limited success. 
General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting.         

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA:
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:   Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:   Fair
Migrations/Observations:  Fair
Duck Abundance:  Fair
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:   Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Water levels too low to pump.
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate
Duck Abundance:  N/A
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate
Duck Abundance:   Moderate
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 25 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  No migration movement seen.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low hunter activity. Poor success.
General Comments:   Deep Slough is at 130.2 MSL and rising.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  25 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  No migration movement seen.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

 Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  No migration movement seen.
Duck Abundance:  Fair
Hunter Activity/Success:  Good number of hunters with fair success.
General Comments:  The gauge is at 130.1 MSL with a slow rise. Boating access is possible.

Trusten Holder WMA at 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 26.2 feet on Jan. 17.

Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded: River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance:  Poor
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor
Comments:  Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City was at 10.7 feet on Jan. 17.

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Weather: Cool with little chance of rain.
Duck Abundance: No ducks reported.
General Comments: Area is dependent on the river to flood and it 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: Cold
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks
Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Dry
Weather: Cold
Migrations/Observations: No ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
General Comments:  Good mast production.
Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 25 percent
Habitat Conditions: The mast crop is good.
Weather: Cold
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent
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 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Weather: Cold
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  90 percent
Habitat Conditions: Cold
Weather: Warm
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Fair


NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent
Habitat Conditions: Lots of millet and natural vegetation.
Weather: Dry with chance of rain in forecast early in the week.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks coming into the area.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair   
General Comments:  Point Remove Creek is now being pumped.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 25 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Mild conditions and very dry.
Migrations/Observations:  Snow geese moved through the area over the weekend.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low   
General Comments:  Need general rainfall.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Dry
Migrations/Observations:  None seen.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments:  Need general rainfall.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Dry with no significant amount of rain in the forecast.
Migrations/Observations:  None
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor   
General Comments:  Need general rainfall.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good, with millet in the moist soil units
Weather: Mild conditions and very dry.
Migrations/Observations:  No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor   
General Comments: Need general rainfall.

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Mild conditions and very dry.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor   
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 percent
Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units- 75 percent
Pullen Pond- 0 percent
Pond Creek- 0 percent
Slaty Pond- 0 percent
Santa Fe- 0 percent
Habitat Conditions:  A lot of hard mast.
Weather: Mild temperatures with drought conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks have migrated south of the area.
Duck Abundance: Extremely low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments:  Need general rainfall.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habitat Conditions: A lot of hard mast, some small grains planted in fields
Weather: Mild temperatures - entering drought conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Ducks have migrated south of the area.
Duck Abundance: Extremely low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments:  Need general rainfall.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and very dry.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor  

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Dry
Migrations/Observations:  No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: No hunting!

Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Extremely dry.                 
Migrations/Observations: None observed
Duck Abundance: No ducks sighted
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: The water conditions are very low and the area needs significant rainfall for improvement.

*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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