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. 29, 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: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind between 10 and 15 m.p.h. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Occasional showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 p.m. Low around 50. South southwest wind around 10 m.p.h. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible.

Thursday: Periods of rain. Temperature falling to around 35 by 5 p.m. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 30 m.p.h. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between one-half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain, snow and sleet likely, becoming all snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 23. Blustery, with a north northwest wind between 10 and 20 m.p.h. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 43. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 m.p.h.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a steady temperature around 31. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 m.p.h.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. North northeast wind around 5 m.p.h.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North northeast wind around 10 m.p.h.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. North northeast wind around 10 m.p.h.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS –

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded:  100 percent. The Black River has dropped about a half a foot a day since last week to a current stage of 5.75 feet at Corning.
Habitat Conditions:  Good, with high abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Weather Conditions: Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with high temperatures ranging from the 30s to 40s after a cold front passes on Thursday.  A 90 percent chance of rain is forecast for Thursday, with rain changing to frozen precipitation as the day progresses.
Duck Abundance:  No new ducks have been seen moving into the area.  Fair numbers have been observed on the WMA and surrounding agricultural fields. 
Hunter activity/Success:  Moderate to fair success the beginning of last week, falling off due to higher temperatures.  Not a lot of hunting pressure over the holiday weekend. 

Shirey Bay/Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 240.1 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 238.8 MSL. The Phase III, River Field, Charles Crisp and Ward Field moist soil units are 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Weather: Highs in the mid to upper 60s through Wednesday with a good chance for rain, then turning colder Thursday with rain or sleet likely.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks have been observed moving into the area this week. The fields around the management area are holding a fair number of ducks and geese.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity was heavy over the weekend with fair hunter success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Snowden Waterfowl Rest Area is 55 percent flooded, and the Payneway Waterfowl Rest Area is 50 percent flooded.  The current St. Francis River level at Oak Donnick is 212.04 MSL.
Habitat Conditions:  The Snowden WRA has a good stand of smartweed, panic grass, millet and sedges. The Payneway WRA has a higher abundance of smartweed within the borrow areas. Acorn production within the floodways is considered good.
Weather Conditions:  Rain is likely on Thursday, with temperatures in the lower 70s, but turning much colder by Friday, with highs in the mid 30s throughout the weekend.  Lows will be in the lower 20s.      
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks have been seen migrating into the area. 
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: There are a good number of shots being fired on the WMA. Friday and Saturday of last week were very good days for the area.   

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Thompson and South Oliver Tracts are 100 percent flooded with current gauge readings at 1.55 feet and 1.88 feet, respectively.
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is good. A good stand of smartweed and sedges is located within the natural sloughs and along the edges of Lake Hogue Waterfowl Rest Area.
Weather Conditions:  Highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 50s with a chance of rain on Thursday. Highs in the 30s with lows in the 20s heading into the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  A fair number of ducks are being reported with most utilizing adjacent agricultural fields.
Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the timbered areas.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunting pressure is moderate with fair hunter success.

Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: Area is 100 percent flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the north woods with a present reading of 236.0 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading of 235.2 MSL. The Simmons Field unit is 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is good in the timber. The Simmons Field Units have millet and sorghum in the 80-acre field. There are millet, smartweed and sedges scattered throughout.
Weather Conditions: Clear and sunny until Wednesday with highs in the mid to upper 60s and lows in the low to mid 40s but turning much colder on Thursday, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s for the rest of the week. There is a 90 percent chance of rain on Thursday, turning to freezing rain, sleet or snow overnight.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed over the past week.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Large number of hunters over the weekend.  Success was fair.
       
EAST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: The two main impoundments are 100 percent of capacity.           
Habitat Conditions:  Main impoundments are at full pool.
Weather: Mild conditions, with much colder temperatures forecast this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights reported since early last week.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate.
General Comments:  A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 15 permits will be drawn on site. A computer online draw has been established for five stations and one mobility impaired blind throughout season.

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA
Percent Flooded: 50 percent. White River at Augusta is at 22.5 feet and Georgetown is at 11.4 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Colder heading into the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Some new flights have been noted this week.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: Water conditions are clear. Water levels should fall throughout the week.

North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Colder temperatures are forecast this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed.
Duck Abundance:  Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: This area is 100 percent flooded and duck hunting has been fair this week.

South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Colder temperatures are forecast this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks have been observed in the area.
Duck Abundance:  Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: This area is 100 percent flooded and duck hunting has been fair this week.

Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Colder heading into the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: A few new flights have been noted.
Duck Abundance: Good
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 8.9 feet.  Water is falling and clear.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  20 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView has been on a slight rise.
Weather: Colder temperatures are forecast for the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights have been observed.
Duck Abundance: Duck numbers are low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate to poor.
General Comments:  Sloughs are still filling and slowly flooding the timbered areas. Cache River at Cotton Plant is 16.1 feet and falling.

Mud Slough GTR:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather: Colder heading into the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  No new flights.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks are in the sloughs.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Moderate to poor.
General Comments:  Water is .2 feet below flood pool and rising slowly.

Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations:  No new flights observed. A few assorted ducks are using the lake. 
Duck Abundance: Low
General Comments:  Apple Lake will remain closed to access until after waterfowl season closes.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 45 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks, but few mallards.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: A few hunters killed a handful of mallards during the past week.
General Comments: The slough is full, but very little water is in the timber.

Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 15 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: No ducks.
General Comments:  Borrow ditches are full and spilling out into the unit.  More rainfall is forecast this week.

Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks in the ditches.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: None noted.
General Comments: More rainfall is forecast this week along with much colder temperatures.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations:  None noted.
Duck Abundance: No ducks in the area.

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights seen.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks in the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor hunter success.
General Comments:  Closed Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Normal
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor hunter success.
General Comments: The lake draw-down is in progress through December. Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting. 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA:
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
            Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 45 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
            Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
            Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:   Low.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
            Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 25 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:   Low.
Duck Abundance:   Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
General Comments:  Recent rains have provided enough rain to pump.  Water levels are rising.
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:   Good.
Migrations/Observations:  Moderate.
Duck Abundance:  Low to Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:   N/A
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:   Low to moderate.
Duck Abundance:   Low to moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 75 percent.
Habitat Conditions:   Excellent.
Migrations/Observations:   No movement of ducks at this point in the week.
Duck Abundance:    Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Very few hunters with poor hunting success.  
General Comments:   Deep Slough is at 130.7 MSL.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:   Excellent.
Migrations/Observations:    No movement of ducks at this point.
Duck Abundance:    Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

 Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions:   Fair.
Migrations/Observations:   No movement of waterfowl to this point in the week.
Duck Abundance:   Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very few hunters are using the area.
General Comments:   Water is too low for boat access at this time.

Trusten Holder WMA at Arkansas River:
Percent Flooded:  River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions:  Good.
Migrations/Observations:  There are a few gadwall, teal and mallards using the area.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair.
 General Comments: Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry was at 26.1 feet on Nov. 29.

Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded:  River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions: Fair.
Migrations/Observations:  Poor.
Duck Abundance:  Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low.
Comments:  Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City was at 17.7 feet on Nov. 29.

Beryl Anthony/Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Fair.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks.
Water Levels: 52.3 feet above sea level below the Felsenthal Lock and Dam.  The area will begin to flood when water levels exceed 65.0 feet above sea level.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks have been reported by hunters.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments: Ducks will begin to migrate to the area when water levels rise from increased precipitation.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 80 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Turning colder this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks.
Duck Abundance: A few mallards and wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Lake is closed for duck hunting.

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA:
            Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Weather: Partly cloudy and colder this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  Rest area is completely closed to duck hunting.
            Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. Conditions should improve with rain and cooler weather.
Weather: Partly cloudy and colder this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and gadwall.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: Walk-in hunting only. There is not enough water to access the area with boats.
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Weather:  Partly cloudy and colder this weekend.
 Migrations/Observations: No ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: None.

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.46 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Water level is dropping slowly.
Weather: Partly cloudy and colder this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks have been reported.
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Some limits were taken over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Sulphur River WMA:
            Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent
Habitat Conditions: Water level is stable. Habitat conditions are poor due to drought.
Weather: Turning colder.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arriving ahead of predicted cold front.
Duck Abundance:  Few ducks. Mostly wood ducks, gadwalls, blue wing and green wing teal, as well as a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  75 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good seed production in the moist soil openings.
Weather:  Colder weather moving into the area this weekend.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arriving ahead of the predicted cold front.
Duck Abundance: Good number of ducks.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 70 percent
Habitat Conditions: Some cells have been planted with millet and others have natural vegetation.
Weather: Rain and colder weather by week’s end.
Migrations/Observations:  Very low.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: A few hunters are taking some ducks.  

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: There are still a lot of beans in surrounding fields that need to be harvested, which makes for good habitat conditions.
Weather: Chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, transitioning to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  None.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
General Comments:  Need new migrations to improve hunting success.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moist soil units are 100 percent - High-energy seeds are scattered throughout.
Weather:  Rain likely on Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Friday through Sunday highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s.
Migrations/Observations:  Need new migration into the area.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
General Comments:  Need cold weather and rain to improve hunting success.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moist soil units are flooded. Good millet crop and moist soil plants.
Weather: Chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Much colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Need new migration into the area to improve hunting.
Duck Abundance: Low.

Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good habitat conditions. Moist soil areas have produced excellent food along with a good millet crop.
Weather: Chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Much colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Need new migration to improve hunter success.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Need rain to help push ducks into the area.

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good. The agricultural fields along the river have plenty of water.
Weather: Chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Much colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Need new migration to improve hunter success.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments:  The forecast cold front could help move ducks into the area.

Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
            Black Lands Moist Soil Units -100 percent.
            Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units - 100 percent.
            Pullen Pond - 70 percent.
            Pond Creek - 60 percent.
            Slaty Pond - 80 percent.
            Santa Fe - 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Excellent. Hard mast crop in the timber and millet did well in Black Lands fields.
Weather: Chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Much colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  None observed.
Duck Abundance: Extremely low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very low.
General Comments:  The predicted cold weather may help push ducks down to the WMA.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Excellent hard mast crop in the timber with millet doing well in the field systems.
Weather: Chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Much colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very low.
General Comments: The predicted cold weather may help push ducks down to the WMA.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Fair mast crop and clear water.
Weather: Rain and cold weather by week’s end.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Very few hunters are having success at the WMA.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent.
Habitat Conditions: The moist soil units have produced excellent food with a good millet crop.
Weather: Chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow on Thursday afternoon. Much colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s through the weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Very low.  
General Comments: Need new migrations to improve hunter's success.

Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: 80 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good stands of native vegetation in the WMA.
Weather: Chances of rain Tuesday thru Sunday with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations have been reported.
Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the area. Gadwall, teal and wood ducks have been reported in the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: Very low.
General Comments:  Cold front should help to push ducks into the area.

*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.