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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. 28, 2007. 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. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS –
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA: Percent Flooded: Lower Reyno GTR is approximately 70 percent flooded with a reading of 267.1 MSL. The Upper Reyno GTR is 80 percent flooded with a reading of 266.5 MSL. Lower Island is 70 percent flooded with a reading of 268.7 MSL with the Upper Island 100 percent flooded at 269.7 MSL. There is no trace on the Hubble and Brookings gauges for Little and Big Black rivers. The current Corning stage is 2.18 feet. Habitat Conditions: Good, with moderate abundance of mast crop within the GTRs. Weather Conditions: Highs for the week will range from 45 to 67 degrees. A 30 percent chance of rain is scheduled for Monday, and a 10 percent chance for the remainder of the week. Lows for the week will range from 31 to 43 degrees. Duck Abundance: Moderate to good numbers have been observed on the WMA and Moist Soil Unit. Hunter activity/Success: Fair to moderate numbers have been taken on the area. Comments: Please remember to keep all boats off the levees, so AGFC personnel can access the area. Boats will be moved that are blocking access.
Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded and the Rainey Brake GTR is 90 percent flooded. The Phase III, River Field, Charles Crisp and Ward Field moist soil units are 0 percent flooded. Habitat Conditions: Fair mast crop. Weather: High in the mid 50s this week then turning cooler with a high in the upper 40s on Saturday and Sunday with a 50 percent chance for showers. Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks have been observed moving into the management area. The private flooded fields around the management area are holding a few ducks. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter success over the weekend was poor. Hunter activity was very light this weekend.
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA: Percent Flooded: The Snowden Waterfowl Rest Area is 70 percent flooded and Payneway WRA is 40 percent. The current St. Francis River level at Oak Donnick is 212.81 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 barrow areas. Acorn production within the floodways is considered good. Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy throughout the week with a 40 percent chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the middle 50s and lows in the high 30s. Migrations/Observations: Moderate numbers of ducks and geese have been seen in the area. Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: A moderate number of hunters have been seen at the boat ramps.
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA: Percent Flooded: The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 1.30 feet with the South Oliver Tract gauge reading at 1.61 feet. The Thompson and South Oliver Tracts are considered flooded at full pool. The water levels are currently rising slowly due to the recent rain event. Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is considered fair. 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: Temperatures will rise towards the end of the week with a high of 69 during the day and a low of 35 at night. A 30 to 40 percent chance of rain is expected on Saturday and Sunday. Migrations/Observations: A fair number of ducks with most utilizing adjacent agricultural fields. Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the timbered areas. Hunter Activity/Success: A fair number of hunters over the weekend with some having fair success.
Big Lake WMA: Percent Flooded: The timber area is 95 percent flooded. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the north woods with a present reading of 235.6 MSL. Target water is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading of 234.3 MSL. Simmons Field unit is 100 percent flooded. Habitat Conditions: Good Weather Conditions: This week’s highs will range from 45 to 67 degrees and lows will range from 31 to 43 degrees. Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of ducks are being seen flying over the area to the north and east and then returning to Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Duck Abundance: Fair to moderate. Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Be aware of logs near the surface in the ditches.
EAST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS -
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA Percent Flooded: 10 percent White River at Augusta is falling. Augusta is at 12.3 feet and Georgetown is at .8 foot. Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Cold weather and rain. Migrations/Observations: Low numbers of ducks. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement. North GTR: Percent Flooded: 10 percent Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Cold and rain. Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Water conditions are low and will need significant rainfall for improvement. South GTR: Percent Flooded: 10 percent. Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop Weather: Cold weather and rain Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers Duck Abundance: Low. Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement.
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA: Percent Flooded: 80 percent Habitat Conditions: Main impoundments are 4 inches below flood pool. Weather: Rain and cooler weather. Migrations/Observations: No new flights reported. Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: 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 15 permits will be drawn on site opening day. A computer online draw established for (5) stations and (one) mobility impaired blind throughout season. Access to hunting stations will be improving due to recent rainfall.
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA:Percent Flooded: 40 percent Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Cold and rain. Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 9.3 feet and Cotton Plant reading is 7.2 feet.
Dagmar WMA:Percent Flooded: 0 percent Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop. Weather: Mild conditions. Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed. Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed, mostly wood ducks, gadwall and a few teal. Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Only permanent water available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is also extremely low and not navigable.Mud Slough GTR:Percent Flooded: 5 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 7.2 feet at the Cotton Plant gauge. Apple Lake Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 25 percent 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: Low water conditions.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS -
Bell Slough WMA: Percent Flooded: 40 percent Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop. Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks. Duck Abundance: Very few. Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has pushed the ducks out of the area. General Comments: Little to no water. Waiting on rainfall. Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 15 percent Habitat Conditions: Excellent seed production. Migrations/Observations: None Duck Abundance: No ducks. General Comments: Borrow ditches are full. Waiting on rainfall.
Holland Bottoms WMA: Percent Flooded: 0 percent Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop. Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks in the ditches. Duck Abundance: Very few. Hunter Activity/Success: None General Comments: Waiting on rainfall. Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 100 percent Habitat Conditions: Excellent seed production. Migrations/Observations: A couple of groups of teal are using the area. Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
Harris Brake WMA: Percent Flooded: 95 percent Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop. Migrations/Observations: None Duck Abundance: Very low. Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has pushed the ducks out of the area. General Comments: Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Lake Conway: Percent Flooded: 100 percent Habitat Conditions: Normal Migrations/Observations: None Duck Abundance: Very few ducks. Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has pushed the ducks out of the area. General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS -
Bayou Meto WMA:Upper Vallier:Percent Flooded: 45 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low Lower Vallier: Percent Flooded: 85 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low Government Cypress: Percent Flooded: 40 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: 90 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Low Halowell Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 40 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: N/A Wrape Plantation: Percent Flooded: 75 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Low Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: N/A Cut-Off Creek WMA:Open AreaPercent Flooded: 0 percent with a very slow rise. Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Few Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: Deep Slough is below the gauge reading. Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 5 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Few Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.
Seven Devils WMA: Percent Flooded: 5 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Migrations/Observations: Few Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Poor General Comments: No boating 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: Few gadwalls, teal and few mallards Arkansas River only. Duck Abundance: Few Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: River water only.
Choctaw Island WMA:Percent Flooded: The Mississippi River is at 3.1 feet.Habitat Conditions: GoodMigrations/Observations: Fair Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: Fair Comments: The Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City is at 3.1 feet and falling.
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA: Percent Flooded: 0 percent Habitat Conditions: Fair Migrations/Observations: A few gadwall have been seen off the area, but very few mallards and pintails. Moderate population of wood ducks. Weather Conditions: For this week, low temperatures range from 34-44, and high temps ranging from 51 to 65, 10 percent chance of rain early in the week and 40 to 60 percent chance of rain for the weekend. Water Levels: 65.0 feet MSL above and 52.4 feet MSL below the Felsenthal Lock and Dam. Duck Abundance: Low to moderate number of ducks. Hunter Activity/Success: None General Comments: The area will begin to flood when water levels exceed 65.0 feet MSL.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS -
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:Percent Flooded: 100 percent Habitat Conditions: GoodMigrations/Observations: Fair amount of ducks observed.Duck Abundance: Fair. Mostly gadwall. General Comments: Lake is closed to duck hunting.
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA: Red Slough Rest Area:Percent Flooded: 60 percent Habitat Conditions: Good Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week. Migrations/Observations: A few ducks are starting to use the area. Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: N/A General Comments: Rest area completely closed to duck hunting. Greentree Reservoir: Percent Flooded: 60 percent Habitat Conditions: Red oak acorn production good. Rains over the weekend should help fill the reservoir up. Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week. Migrations/Observations: Few Duck Abundance: Fair Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Water level is continuing to rise. Little Grassy: Percent Flooded: 50 percent Habitat Conditions: Excellent Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week. Migrations/Observations: Very few observed using the area. Duck Abundance: Few Hunter Activity/Success: Low General Comments: Walk in only.
Millwood Lake: Percent Flooded: 259.35 MSL Habitat Conditions: Stable. Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week. Migrations/Observations: Good to fair. A few gadwall and mallards are being reported in the area. Duck Abundance: Moderate, mostly gadwalls. Hunter Activity/Success: Good to fair. General Comments: The three-foot drawdown will begin Nov. 26. This will expose vast amounts of mud flats. Access will be limited. The draw down will last until Feb.15, 2008.
Sulphur River WMA: Mercer Bayou: Percent Flooded: 75 percent Habitat Conditions: Good. Recent rains have improved habitat conditions. Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week. Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arrived with recent cold front. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: Fair General Comments: Habitat is in good shape due to the summer rains. Henry Moore Rest Area: Percent Flooded: 80 percent Habitat Conditions: Good. Recent rains have improved habitat conditions. Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week. Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arrived with the recent cold front. Duck Abundance: Low. General Comments: Rest area is closed.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:Percent Flooded: 90 percent Habitat Conditions: An abundance of natural vegetation Weather: Cooler Temperatures Migrations/Observations: Very few. Duck Abundance: Low Hunter Activity/Success: some hunters taking a few ducks General Comments: The area has received 1.5 inches of rain over the past week.
Galla Creek WMA:General Comments: This area will not be flooded this year due to channel restoration project in progress.
Petit Jean WMA:Percent Flooded: Black Lands Moist Soil Units-100 percent Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units-100 percent Pullen Pond-0 percent Pond Creek-0 percent Slaty Pond-10 percent Santa Fe-0 percent Habitat Conditions: Millet did well in the Black Lands fields. Weather: Highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s. Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
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