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. 16, 2008.

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 chance of rain in the morning...then occasional rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50 percent in the morning... Increasing to 80 percent in the afternoon. Average rainfall 1/10 to 1/4 inch.

Tonight...Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening...becoming south after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Average rainfall less than 1/10 inch.

Thursday...Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening...becoming northeast after midnight.

Friday...Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 5 mph in the morning...becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy in the evening...becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

Sunday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day...Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain during the day. Highs in the upper 40s. The chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain during the night. Lows in the lower 30s. The chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Tuesday...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

 

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS –

 

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:

Percent Flooded:  Lower Reyno is 100 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 267.7 MSL. Upper Reyno is 100 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 266.5 MSL. The Upper Island is 100 percent flood with a gauge reading of 270.2 MSL. The Lower Island is 100 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 268.2. The Winchester GTR is 90 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 263.9 MSL. The Brooking gauge is 266.8 MSL and falling and the Hubble gauge is 268.4 MSL and falling. The gauge at Corning is at 7.27 feet and falling. 

Habitat Conditions:  Good. With moderate abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.

Weather Conditions:  Highs for the week will range from 37 to 46 degrees.  A 50 percent chance of rain/snow is forecast for Wednesday night and a 20 percent continues into Thursday. Lows for the week will range from 24 to 29 degrees. 

Duck Abundance: High numbers have been observed on the WMA and Moist Soil Unit.

Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate numbers have been harvested in the timber and moderate numbers have been taken in the surrounding fields.  

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 and the Rainey Brake GTR are 100 percent flooded. The Phase III and Charles Crisp moist soil units are 100 percent flooded. The Ward Field and River Field moist soil units are 15 percent flooded.

Habitat Conditions: Fair mast crop and good water conditions.

Weather:  Clear early then becoming partly cloudy by the end of the week. Highs will be in the low 40s through Wednesday with a 40 per cent chance of snow Wednesday night.

Migrations/Observations:  Good duck numbers in and around the management area.

Duck Abundance: Good

Hunter Activity/Success:  Hunter activity moderate with good success.

 

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:

Percent Flooded:  The Snowden Waterfowl Rest Area (WRA) is 70 percent flooded and Payneway WRA is 50 percent.  The current St. Francis River level at Oak Donnic is 12.6 feet.

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: Temperatures are expected to range around the high 50s during the day and low 20s at night.  A 20 to 30 percent chance of rain is expected Wednesday and Thursday.

Migrations/Observations:  Some new geese and ducks have been seen flying into the WMA. 

Duck Abundance:  Moderate numbers are flying over the WMA.

Hunter Activity/Success:  Several vehicles have been seen at boat ramps with moderate numbers of ducks being harvested. 

     

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:

Percent Flooded:  The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 1.4 feet with the South Oliver Tract gauge reading at 1.7 feet.  The Thompson and South Oliver Tracts are considered flooded at full pool.

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 are expected to range around the high 50s during the day and low 20s at night.  A 20 to 30 percent chance of rain is expected Wednesday and Thursday.

Migrations/Observations:  A fair number of ducks are moving through the area.

Duck Abundance:  A few ducks are using the timbered areas.

Hunter Activity/Success:  Hunter activity has been moderate with fair 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 235.6 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading of 235.0 MSL. Simmons Field unit is 100 percent flooded.

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Weather Conditions: Temperatures are expected to range in the highs in the 50s during the day and lows in the 20s at night.  A slight chance of rain is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

Migrations/Observations:  Low numbers of ducks are being seen flying over the area to the north and east and then returning to Big Lake NWR.

Duck Abundance: Low

Hunter Activity/Success:  Below average number of hunters having low success.

General Comments:  Be aware of logs near the surface in the ditches. 

       

EAST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

 

Dagmar WMA:

Percent Flooded:  50 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is falling and Cache River reading at Cotton Plant is 11.1 feet and falling

Weather: Cold front expected today with rain and some snow.

Migrations/Observations: New flights have been observed.

Duck Abundance: Fair

Hunter Activity/Success: Very heavy hunter activity with good success rates.

 General Comments: Bayou Deview is still navigable with small watercraft.

Mud Slough GTR:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.

Weather: Cold front expected today with rain and some snow.

Migrations/Observations:  New flights have been observed

Duck Abundance: Good numbers of ducks being reported by hunters.

Hunter Activity/Success: Very heavy hunter activity with good success rates.

General Comments: GTR is 100 percent full and overflowing.

Apple Lake Rest Area:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.

Weather: Cold front expected today with rain and some snow.

Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks are using the lake according to recent waterfowl flight survey.

Duck Abundance: Low

Hunter Activity/Success: Closed to access.

General Comments:   Lake is at full pool. 

 

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:

Percent Flooded: 45 percent

Habitat Conditions: White River at Augusta is 16.1feet and Georgetown is 6.1 feet.  The river is forecast to fall throughout the week.

Weather: Cold front expected today with rain and some snow.

Migrations/Observations:  New flights of ducks have been observed.

Duck Abundance: Good

Hunter Activity/Success:  Very heavy hunter activity with fair success rates.

General Comments: Water conditions are good and main access road is closed.

North GTR:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.

Weather: Cold front expected today with rain and some snow.

Migrations/Observations: Good number of ducks being reported

Duck Abundance:  Good

Hunter Activity/Success: Very heavy hunter activity with fair success rates.

General Comments: Lots of hunters using the area this past weekend.

South GTR: 

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.

Weather: Cold front expected today with rain and some snow.

Migrations/Observations: Good numbers of ducks being reported.

Duck Abundance:  Good

Hunter Activity/Success: Very heavy hunter activity with fair success rates.

General Comments: Large numbers of hunters were using the area over the weekend.

 

Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA:

Percent Flooded:  90 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.

Weather: Mild conditions with cold front expected later in the week.

Migrations/Observations:  No new flights have been observed.  

Duck Abundance: Fair number of ducks being reported

Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity with good success rates.

General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 8.1 feet.

 

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent       

Habitat Conditions:  Main impoundments are at full pool.

Weather: Turning colder with a chance of rain/snow mix on Thursday.

Migrations/Observations:  No new flights reported. 

Duck Abundance: Fair

Hunter Activity/Success: Heavy hunter activity with fair success rates.

General Comments: A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 20 permits are available for the on site drawing. A computer online draw established for (5) stations and (one) mobility impaired blind throughout season.  Hunting stations within Impoundments D and A can be accessed by boat.  Hunting stations not within impoundments D and A will be accessed by walking.

 

CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

 

Bell Slough WMA:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.

Migrations/Observations: A few large groups noted in the area.

Duck Abundance: Fair

Hunter Activity/Success: Several groups of hunters have been harvesting  mallards.

Rest Area:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Excellent seed production.

Migrations/Observations: A few hundred mallards are using the area.

Duck Abundance: Moderate number of ducks.

Holland Bottoms WMA:

Percent Flooded: 30 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.

Migrations/Observations:  None noted.

Duck Abundance: Very few.

Hunter Activity/Success: Several groups walking in from Graham Road are having limited success.

General Comments: Area floods by overflow.

Rest Area:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Excellent seed production.

Migrations/Observations:  Plenty of mallards using the rest area.

 Duck Abundance: Moderate

 

Harris Brake WMA:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.

Migrations/Observations: None

Duck Abundance: Low

Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate activity with poor hunting success.

General Comments:  Plenty of wood ducks.

 

Lake Conway:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Normal

Migrations/Observations: None noted.

Duck Abundance: Low

Hunter Activity/Success: Numerous boats in Dix Creek and Pierce Creek

General Comments: Only Pierce Creek and Dix Creek are open to waterfowl hunting. 

 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS -

 

Bayou Meto WMA:

Upper Vallier:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Good

Duck Abundance:  Good

Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate to high

            Lower Vallier:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Good

Duck Abundance:  Good

Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate to high

            Government Cypress:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Good

Duck Abundance:  Good

Hunter Activity/Success:  Moderate to high

            Buckingham Flats:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Good

Duck Abundance:  Good

Hunter Activity/Success:  Moderate to high

            Temple Island:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Low

Duck Abundance:  Low

Hunter Activity/Success: Moderate

Halowell Rest Area:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Good

Duck Abundance:  Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success:   N/A

Wrape Plantation:

Percent Flooded: 80 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  Moderate to fair

Duck Abundance:  Fair

Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

 

Cut-Off Creek WMA:

Open Area

Percent Flooded: 35 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good

Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks are being reported.  

Duck Abundance:  Few

Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair number of hunters with little success.

General Comments:   Deep Slough is at 129.9 MSL.

Rest Area:

Percent Flooded:  25 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good

Migrations/Observations: A few new ducks are being observed. 

Duck Abundance:   Low

Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

 

 Seven Devils WMA:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions:  Good

Migrations/Observations:  A few new ducks are being observed. 

Duck Abundance:  Few

Hunter Activity/Success:  Low hunter numbers with moderate success.

General Comments:   Gauge reading is 130.0 MSL. Boating access is possible on the west side.

 

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:  Few

Hunter Activity/Success: Few

General Comments:   Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry is at 26.35 feet.

 

 

Choctaw Island WMA:

Percent Flooded:   River water only. With variable levels of backwater flooding.

Habitat Conditions: Good

Migrations/Observations: Low

Duck Abundance: Low

Hunter Activity/Success:  Low

Comments:  Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City is at 16.91 feet.

 

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA:

Percent Flooded: 0 percent

Habitat Conditions: Fair

Migrations/Observations: None

Weather Conditions: For Wednesday through Thursday, low temps range from 29 to 37 degrees. High temperatures range from 51 to 56 degrees with a 30 percent chance of rain.  For Friday through Sunday, expected lows are 28 to 33 degrees with highs between 51 and 54 degrees.

Water Levels: 68.0 feet MSL above and 57.0 feet MSL below the Felsenthal Lock and Dam. 

Duck Abundance: A few gadwalls and wood ducks are on Felsenthal, but none on Beryl Anthony.

Hunter Activity/Success: Poor

General Comments: The water levels below the dam are falling, so no flooding of the area is expected.

 

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS -

 

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good

Weather:Cold and some rain.

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: 70 percent

Habitat Conditions: Poor

Weather: Cold and some rain.

Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks and mallards are being reported in the area.

Duck Abundance: Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

General Comments:  Rest area is completely closed to duck hunting.

            Greentree Reservoir:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop, conditions have improved.

Weather: Cold and some rain.

Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and gadwall.

Duck Abundance: Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success: Fair

Little Grassy:

Percent Flooded: 90 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good

Weather: Cold and some rain.

 Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.

Duck Abundance: Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success: Fair

General Comments:  Walk in only.

 

Millwood Lake:

Percent Flooded: 256.32 MSL

Habitat Conditions: Water is slowly dropping

Weather: Cold and some rain.

Migrations/Observations: No new flights to report.

Duck Abundance: Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

 

Sulphur River WMA:

            Mercer Bayou:

Percent Flooded: 75 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good

Weather: Cold and some rain.

Migrations/Observations: No new flights to report.

Duck Abundance:  Low

Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

General Comments: Habitat is in good shape due to the summer rains.

Henry Moore Rest Area:

Percent Flooded:  80 percent

Habitat Conditions: Good

Weather:  Cold and some rain.

Migrations/Observations: No new flights to report.

Duck Abundance: Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

General Comments: Habitat conditions are very good.

 

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -

 

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:

Percent Flooded: 100 percent

Habitat Conditions: An abundance of natural vegetation.

Weather:  Colder temperatures towards the end of the week.

Migrations/Observations:  No new migrations have been observed.

Duck Abundance: Moderate

Hunter Activity/Success:  Are few hunters are taking some ducks.

General Comments: Water levels are falling.

 

Galla Creek WMA:

General Comments:   This area will not be flooded this year due to channel restoration in progress.

 

Petit Jean WMA:

Percent Flooded:

            Black Lands Moist Soil Units-100 percent

            Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Unit- 100 percent

            Pullen Pond- 100 percent

            Pond Creek- 80 percent and rising

            Slaty Pond- 75 percent

            Santa Fe- falling with Petit Jean River level

Habitat Conditions: Fair amount of red oak hard mast crop in the timber and millet did well in Blacklands fields.

Weather: Highs in the 40s to 50s and lows in the 20 and 30s. 

Migrations/Observations: Seeing a few new flights of mallards, gadwall, teal and divers coming down with the cooler winds from the north. Ducks are feeding in the fields heavily at night and moving to loafing areas during daylight hours. 

Duck Abundance: Fair.

Hunter Activity/Success: Hunters have bee