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. 27, 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: Partly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southeast wind around 15 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low near 37. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 58. South-southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 64. East-southeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Periods of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Low near 45. Southeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between one and two inches possible.
Saturday: A chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. South-southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West-southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind around 15 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.  
New Year’s Day: Partly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 28.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 48.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS–

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent in the GTRs and 100 percent in the moist soil units. The Black River is at 7.5 feet at Corning, Hubble gauge is at 268.9 MSL, and Brookings is at 267.5 MSL. The Upper Reno gauge is at 267.9 MSL, the lower Reno is at 267.6 MSL, and Winchester is at 265 MSL. 
Habitat Conditions: Moderate
Weather Conditions: The week will be fairly cool. Highs for the week will range from 44 to 64 degrees. A 70 percent chance of rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday, and a 20 to 30 percent chance for the rest of the week. Lows for the week will range from 29 to 53 degrees. 
Duck Abundance: Fair to moderate numbers are on the area. LakeAshbaugh has moderate numbers. Ducks are moving off the fields and onto the lake later in the mornings, remaining there until late evening. This week more ducks have been in the fields than in the woods, but it is really day to day on where they are going to be. 
General Comments:  There is a levee blown out at the lower siphons. AGFC will be working on that, and at this time does not know exactly how it will affect water levels. It is likely repairs will run later into the week.
 
Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR and Rainey Brake GTR are 100 percent flooded. The Phase III, River Field, Charles Crisp and Ward Field moist soil units are 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Weather: Chance of rain on Thursday and Friday, with highs for the week ranging from 48 to 58 degree and lows ranging from 28 to 45 degrees.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks have been observed moving into the area this week.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has been moderate with good success.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Snowden Waterfowl Rest Area is 70 percent flooded, and the Payneway Waterfowl Rest Area is 40 percent flooded. The current St. Francis River level at Oak Donnick is 212.70 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: There is a 70 percent chance of rain on Thursday and Friday and a 60 percent chance on Saturday.   
Migrations/Observations: Some geese and ducks are flying south over the WMA.      
Duck Abundance:Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Unavailable.     
      
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Thompson and South Oliver Tracts are 100 percent flooded, with current gauge readings at 1.25 feet and 1.72 feet, respectively.
Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is considered 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:Chance of rain and possibly thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. High temperatures between 48 and 58 degrees, with lows between 28 and 38 degrees.
Migrations/Observations:A few ducks, with most utilizing adjacent agricultural fields.
Duck Abundance:Low on the WMA.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunting pressure is low with fair success.

Big LakeWMA:
Percent Flooded:The area is 100 percent flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target water 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 235.0 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 in the north field on the east side.  There is millet, smartweed and sedges scattered throughout.
Weather Conditions: Chance of rain and possibly thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. High temperatures between 48 and 58 degrees, with lows between 28 and 38 degrees.
Migrations/Observations: New ducks are being seen moving into the area.
Duck Abundance:Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success:N/A
General Comments: Water levels should increase slightly due to recent rainfall in Missouri.
        
EAST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

HenryGrayHurricaneLake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent. White River is currently at 24.1 feet at Augusta and 12.23 feet at Georgetown.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Rain expected on Thursday and Friday.
Migrations/Observations: Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
General Comments:White River is rising.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Rain expected Thursday and Friday.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
South GTR: 
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Cooler weather expected throughout this week.
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.        
Habitat Conditions:  White River is currently 12.23 feet at Georgetown. The area is 100 percent flooded. 
Weather: Rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Moderate
Hunter Activity/Success:  Moderate numbers of hunters are having fair 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 23 holes will be available during the general draw. A computer online draw has been established for 5 stations and 1 mobility-impaired blind throughout the season.

RexHancockBlackSwamp WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed.   
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: The CacheRiver at Patterson was at 8.9 feet and rising on Dec. 27.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded: 20 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild and wet conditions are expected through Thursday and Friday, with temperatures dropping over the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success:Moderate/poor.
General Comments:Few mallards are being reported. CacheRiver at Cotton Plant is 10.67 feet.
Mud Slough GTR:
Percent Flooded: 98 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions. 
Migrations/Observations: No new flights.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks are being harvested.
Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate/poor.
General Comments: Very few mallards are being reported. Water level is .4 feet below maximum flood pool.
AppleLake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild and wet conditions.
Migrations/Observations: A variety of waterfowl species are using the lake.  
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Closed.
General Comments:AppleLake will remain closed to access until after waterfowl season.


CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

BellSlough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 70 percent.
Habitat Conditions:Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:Several new flights seen.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success:None noted.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 65 percent.
Habitat Conditions:Good seed production.
Migrations/Observations:A few mallards and teal are using the rest area.
Duck Abundance:Few ducks.

Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 20 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks.
Duck Abundance:Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: None noted.
General Comments: Rainfall required for overflow flooding. 
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations:A handful of mallards have been seen on the rest area.
Duck Abundance:Few.

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: A few new flights of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Plenty of wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Early shooting with poor success.
General Comments: Closed Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

LakeConway:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent.
Habitat Conditions:Normal.
Migrations/Observations:Few ducks seen.
Duck Abundance:Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor success.
General Comments:Lake drawdown in progress through Jan. 1. Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting. 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA:
General Comments: Cannon Brake water level is at 175.5 MSL.
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent at 179.2 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations: Moderate.
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
            Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent at 179.55 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations: Moderate.
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
            Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Low.
Duck Abundance: Low.
            Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations: Low.
Duck Abundance: Low.
            TempleIsland:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations: Moderate.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations: Moderate.
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
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: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Excellent.
Migrations/Observations: A few more ducks.
Duck Abundance: Few.
General Comments: Deep Slough is at 131.0 MSL.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:  Excellent.
Migrations/Observations: A few more ducks.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Fair.
Migrations/Observations: A few more ducks. 
Duck Abundance: Few.
General Comments: 129.7 MSL. Water is still too low for good boating access.

Trusten Holder WMA at Arkansas River:
Percent Flooded: River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Few.
General Comments:Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry was at 26.26 feet on
December 27, 2006.

ChoctawIsland WMA:
Percent Flooded: River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions: Fair.
Migrations/Observations: Low.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Comments: Mississippi River gauge at ArkansasCity was at 12.2 feet and rising on
December 27, 2006.

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks have been reported in the area.
Water Levels: 52.4 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: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Low.
General Comments: A few pockets of water have formed from recent rains.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 80 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: A few mallards and wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:Lake is closed to duck hunting.

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA:
            Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: Few wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Rest area closed to duck hunting.
            Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. Conditions should improve with rain and cooler weather.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and gadwalls.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Walk-in hunting only. There is not enough water to access with boats.
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: Dry.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Weather: Rain and thunderstorms later in the week.
 Migrations/Observations: No ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
                        General Comments: Walk in only.

MillwoodLake:
Percent Flooded: 260.21 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Water level rising.
Weather: Rain and thunderstorms later in the week.
Migrations/Observations: The number of diving ducks is starting to increase.
Duck Abundance: Moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Some limits are still being taken.

Sulphur River WMA:
            Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Water level is stable. Habitat condition is poor due to drought conditions.
Weather: Rain and thunderstorms are forecast.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Few. Mostly wood ducks, gadwalls, blue-winged and green-winged 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 has been good.
Weather: Rain and thunderstorms are forecast.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Good number of ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Some cells have been planted with millet and others have natural vegetation.
Weather: Rain and thunderstorms possible on Thursday and Friday.
Migrations/Observations: Very few.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Quite a few hunters are taking some ducks.
General Comments: No new migrations.

Arkansas RiverValley:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Ducks are scattered.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moist soil units are 100 percent flooded. High-energy seeds are scattered throughout the area.
Weather:  Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations:  No new migrations.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Ducks are scattered.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moist soil units are flooded. Good millet crop and moist soil plants.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: Need new migrations.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
General Comments: Still seeing a few ducks in the area.

Dyer LakeCells:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good habitat conditions. Moist soil produced excellent food along with a good millet crop.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Need cold weather and new migrations to improve hunting in the area.

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good. Agricultural fields along the river have good water levels.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.

Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
                                                     Black Lands Moist Soil Units -100 percent.
                                                     Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units - 100 percent.
                                                     Pullen Pond - 100 percent.
                                                     Pond Creek - 100 percent.
                                                     Slaty Pond - 100 percent.
                                                     Santa Fe - 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Excellent hard mast crop in the timber. Millet did well in the Black Lands fields.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor. 
General Comments: Need cold weather and rain to push ducks into the area.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Excellent hard mast crop in the timber. Millet did well in the field systems.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Need cold weather and new migrations to improve hunting.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Fair mast crop with higher water due to heavy rain.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: Very few.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: A few hunters are having some success.  
General Comments: The hunters that are scouting are taking a few ducks.
 
JohnsonCounty Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good moist soil units produced excellent food, good millet crop.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A  
General Comments: No hunting.

Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good stands of native vegetation.
Weather: Thunderstorms later in the week with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No new migrations over the weekend.
Duck Abundance: Few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor.
General Comments: Need cold weather and new migrations.

*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.

a