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1/25/2006
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. 25, 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
58. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tonight:
Mostly clear, with a low around
30. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 5 mph.
Thursday:
Partly cloudy, with a high near
57. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Thursday Night:
Partly cloudy, with a low near
36. South winds around 5 mph.
Friday:
A 20 percent chance of rain
after 3 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a high around 57. South wind between 5 and
10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night:
A 50 percent chance of rain and
thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. South southeast wind
around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch
possible.
Saturday:
Rain likely and possibly a
thunderstorm before 4 p.m., then a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 4
p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South southeast wind between 10 and
15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night:
A 50 percent chance of rain.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South winds around 10 mph.
Sunday:
A 40 percent chance of rain.
Mostly cloudy, with a high around 56. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph
becoming west northwest.
Sunday Night:
Partly cloudy, with a low near
38.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
–
Dave Donaldson Black
River WMA:
Percent Flooded:
100%
Habitat Conditions:
Good. With an excellent mast crop.
Migrations/Observation:
Very few ducks
observed.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Moderate hunting pressure with very little success being reported.
General Comments:
Black River has risen
to near 5 feet at Corning. Recent rains have stabilized water
levels and may cause river levels to rise.
Upper and Lower
Island GTR’s:
Mervin, Viney and
Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Winchester Road, Rest
Area and Canal Access GTR’s:
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:
Clear through Thursday with a slight chance for rain by the weekend.
Highs will be in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations:
No new ducks observed moving into the area.
Duck Abundance:
Duck abundance is low with most located in the lower GTR.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Hunter activity has
been moderate with poor success rates.
St. Francis Sunken
Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:
The Oak Donnick gauge is at 212.70 MSL. At this level a portion of
the timber between the St. Francis floodway levees is inundated.
The Payneway moist soil units are 60% 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 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
coming by the middle of the week and going through the
weekend.
Migrations/Observations:
A few ducks and a fair number of snow geese can be seen flying the
river floodway.
Duck Abundance:
A few ducks are using the moist soil units. Ducks are using natural
sloughs off the floodway ditches and newly inundated timber in
low-lying areas. A few ducks are also being reported using St.
Francis Lake.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Very spotty success is being reported.
Earl Buss Bayou DeView
WMA:
Percent Flooded:
The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 0.80 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 low to mid 50s with a chance of
precipitation Thursday thru Saturday.
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 using the area, with most having little success.
General Comments:
Boaters should be aware of submerged logs in shallow areas.
Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded:
Area is 90% flooded in
the timber. Ditches are 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the
north woods; present reading is 235.5 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in
the south woods; present reading is 234.6 MSL. Simmons Field unit is
100% 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:
Increased numbers of ducks observed over the past week.
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Low numbers of hunters
are averaging very low numbers 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%. White River at Augusta is at 12.9 feet and Georgetown is at 0.9
feet. White River is forecasted to rise 0.3 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 still needs 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 very low and the area still needs 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 still needs 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 5.7 feet and is forecasted to rise 2.2
feet by the end of the week. Very low water conditions still exist
on the Cache River corridor, but should improve throughout the week
with the recent rains. The Cache River is accessible in Gregory at
the Float Road access boat ramp.
Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:
0%.
Habitat Conditions:
Bayou DeView is still 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 still
low and is not navigable, but should improve throughout the week due
to the recent rains.
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 are in the slough pockets.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
General Comments:
Unable to flood the GTR due to extreme low water conditions on Cache
River and Bayou DeView. Cache River is presently at 5.7 feet and is
forecasted to rise 2.2 feet by the end of the week.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:
10%.
Habitat Conditions:
Good acorn crop.
Weather:
Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations:
A few wood ducks are using the lake
Duck Abundance:
Low
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Closed to access. Opens to all day hunting the last three days of
waterfowl season.
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. Impoundments A and D
are .2 feet below flood pool.
Weather:
Mild conditions
Migrations/Observations:
No new flights
reported.
Duck Abundance:
Few ducks observed.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Moderate hunter
activity 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:
85%
Habitat Conditions:
Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:
Very few new ducks.
Duck Abundance:
Very few.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
High activity with poor
success
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:
5%
Habitat Conditions:
Moderate seed
production.
Migrations/Observations:
None
Duck Abundance:
No ducks.
Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded:
20%.
Habitat Conditions:
Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:
A few ducks are on the ditches and the gas line.
Duck Abundance:
Very few.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Very few hunters with
poor success rates.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:
100%.
Habitat Conditions:
Moderate seed
production.
Migrations/Observations:
200-300 ducks on the rest area.
Duck Abundance:
Low
Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded:
95%
Habitat Conditions:
Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:
Few ducks are being observed.
Duck Abundance:
Low
Hunter
Activity/Success:
High activity with limited success.
General Comments:
Very little shooting.
Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded:
100%.
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:
General
Comments:
With the accumulated rainfall, expect 100% flooding except for
Temple Island.
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded:
178.9 MSL. 90%.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Fair
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Heavy hunter activity
with fair success.
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded:
179.1 MSL. 95%.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Fair
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Heavy hunter activity
with fair hunting success.
Government
Cypress:
Percent Flooded:
178.9 MSL. 95 %.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Fair
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Heavy hunter activity
with fair success rates.
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded:
100 %
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Fair
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Heavy hunter activity
with fair success rates.
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded:
5 to 10 %.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Fair
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Low
General Comments:
The area is being
pumped.
Hallowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:
100%.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Moderate
Duck Abundance:
Heavy hunter activity with fair success rates.
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded:
100 %.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Fair
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded:
100%.
Habitat Conditions:
Excellent
Migrations/Observations:
No migration movement has been seen.
Duck Abundance:
Few
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Low hunter activity
with fair success rates.
General Comments:
Deep Slough is at 131.0 MSL. The area is experiencing high water.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:
100 %.
Habitat Conditions:
Excellent
Migrations/Observations:
No migration movement has been seen.
Duck Abundance:
Low
Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded:
100%.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
No migration movement has been seen.
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Good number of hunters
with fair success.
General Comments:
The gauge reading is at 131.5 MSL with a slow rise. Boating access
is possible on all trails.
Trusten Holder WMA at
Arkansas River:
Percent Flooded:
River water only. With variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Low
Duck Abundance:
Poor
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
General Comments:
Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry was at 26.2 feet on Jan. 23.
Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded:
River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Migrations/Observations:
Low
Duck Abundance:
Few
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Low
Comments:
Mississippi River gauge
at Arkansas City was at 12.6 feet on Jan. 23.
Beryl Anthony Lower
Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded:
0%.
Weather:
Cool with a chance of rain this weekend.
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%
Habitat Conditions:
Good conditions.
Weather:
Cold
Migrations/Observations:
Few ducks
Duck Abundance:
Very few ducks are
being observed.
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:
40%
Habitat Conditions:
The mast crop is good.
Weather:
Cold
Migrations/Observations:
Few ducks.
Duck Abundance:
Low
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Fair
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded:
15%
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Weather:
Cold
Migrations/Observations:
Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance:
A few wood ducks.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded:
259.21 MSL.
Habitat Conditions:
Water should rise with
recent rainfall.
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%
Weather:
Cold
Migrations/Observations:
No new ducks.
Duck Abundance:
Fair
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-
Ed Gordon Point Remove
WMA:
Percent Flooded:
30%
Habitat Conditions:
Lots of millet and natural vegetation.
Weather:
Not enough rainfall to
improve conditions.
Migrations/Observations:
A low number of ducks are coming into the area.
Duck Abundance:
Poor
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Fair
General Comments:
Open all day for hunting Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded:
25%
Habitat Conditions:
Agricultural fields have sheet water.
Weather:
The rainfall on Sunday
improved hunting conditions.
Migrations/Observations:
Snow geese moved through the area over the weekend.
Duck Abundance:
Fair number of ducks.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Good hunter success Sunday.
Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded:
100%
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Weather:
Not enough rainfall to
improve conditions.
Migrations/Observations:
None seen.
Duck Abundance:
Fair
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Few limits are being taken. With a few limits of Canvasbacks being
reported.
Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded:
100%
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Weather:
Dry, with no
significant amount of rain in the forecast
Migrations/Observations:
None
Duck Abundance:
Low
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded:
50%
Habitat Conditions:
Good, with millet in the moist soil units.
Weather:
Mild conditions and
dry.
Migrations/Observations:
No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance:
Poor
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded:
100%
Habitat Conditions:
Good
Weather:
Mild conditions and
dry.
Migrations/Observations:
No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance:
Low
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
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:
Mild temperatures. With
1.5 inches of rainfall, that was still not enough to improve
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%
Habitat Conditions:
A lot of hard mast, some small grains planted in fields
Weather:
Mild temperatures. Over one inch of rain fell on Sunday, but it was
not enough to improve conditions.
Migrations/Observations:
Ducks have migrated south of the area.
Duck Abundance:
Extremely low.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded:
100%
Habitat Conditions:
Good mast crop
Weather:
Mild conditions and
very dry.
Migrations/Observations:
No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance:
Poor
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
General Comments:
Open all day for hunting Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Johnson County Rest
Area:
Percent Flooded:
40%
Habitat Conditions:
Poor
Weather:
Dry
Migrations/Observations:
No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance:
Low
Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded:
5%
Habitat Conditions:
Poor
Weather:
Not enough rainfall to
improve conditions.
Migrations/Observations:
None observed.
Duck Abundance:
No ducks sighted.
Hunter
Activity/Success:
Poor
*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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