Very little water 
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. 16, 2005.
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: Sunny, with a high around 50. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Tonight: Widespread frost after midnight. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 26. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Widespread frost before a.m.. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high around 54. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low near 29. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 60. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 61. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 58. North northwest wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low near 36.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 59.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 60.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS -
Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 50-60%.
Habitat Conditions: Good with an excellent mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Black River is very low, with the gauge reading at Corning of 1.59. Significant rainfall is needed. Approaching cold front should bring some rain and maybe a few ducks.
Upper and Lower Island GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 100%. The Upper Island MSL gauge is at 269.1 and the Lower Island MSL gauge is at 267.5
Mervin, Viney and Barnes Slough GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 60%. This area is currently being flooded and should fill up quickly. Upper siphons were opened approximately one week ago and they are working very well.
Winchester Road, Rest Area and Canal Access GTR’s:
Percent Flooded: 40%. This area currently is being flooded, the boat runs and lower areas have water.
Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 60% flooded at 238.0 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 50% flooded at 237.7 MSL. The Phase III moist soil unit is 50% flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Clear water with a good mast crop.
Weather: Clearing and colder with a highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s.
Migrations/Observations: No ducks observed moving into the area.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Oak Donnick gauge is at 210.80 MSL. Due to recent drought conditions, the St. Francis River is low resulting in very little flooded timber between the levees of the St. Francis floodway. The Payneway moist soil units are 55% flooded. The Snowden moist soil unit is 70% 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: Scattered showers with mild to moderate temperatures.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks as well as white-fronted and snow geese can be seen flying south.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks are using the moist soil units. A few wood ducks are on the St. Francis River and drainage ditches off of the river
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Earl Buss/Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded: The boat lanes within the Thompson Tract are flooded with shallow areas scattered throughout. 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: Mild temperatures with a few scattered showers.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks may be seen using the natural sloughs. A few flocks of snow and white-fronted geese are moving through the area.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: The Thompson Tract gate will be closed until opening day of duck season. Please refer to area regulations.
Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: Area is 30% flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100% flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the North woods and the present reading is 234.4 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in the South woods and the present reading is 233.4 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is excellent in the timber. The Simmons Field Units have scattered millet, sedges and smartweed throughout.
Weather Conditions: Expected cold front to move in Thursday or Friday with expected lows to be around freezing.
Migrations/Observations: There are around 30,000 mixed species of ducks using Big Lake NWR. Small number of wood ducks are in the timber on the WMA. Very few other species of ducks on the area.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water level in the timber is low. There will be a slow rise on the area until the area receives more rain.
EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-
Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake WMA
Percent Flooded: 0%. White River at Augusta is falling. Augusta is at 11.1 feet and Georgetown is at 1 foot.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations: Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are very low for opening day.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and dry.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are low for opening day.
South GTR:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions .
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are very low for opening day.
Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Bayou DeView is very low.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Only permanent water available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is also extremely low and not navigable.
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 in the slough pockets.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Unable to flood the GTR due to extreme low water conditions on Cache and Bayou DeView. Cache River is presently at 2.8 feet.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 10%.
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: Very low water conditions.
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: N/A
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 2.8 feet. Very low water conditions exist on the Cache River corridor for opening weekend.
Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 60%.
Habitat Conditions: East and west impoundments are below full pool.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Several new flights reported.
Duck Abundance: Fair.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
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 difficult during opening weekend due to low water conditions.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS-
Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 25%.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: The slough is full, but there is no water in the timber.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5%.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: No ducks.
General Comments: Recent rainfall may help.
Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
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: Recent rainfall may help.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 25%.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: No ducks.
Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90%
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: None.
General Comments: Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 100%.
Habitat Conditions: Normal.
Migrations/Observations: None.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: None.
General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting. Watch for underwater stumps when motoring into the areas.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-
Bayou Meto WMA:
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 0 %.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Duck Abundance: None
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Duck Abundance: None
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Duck Abundance: None
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Duck Abundance: None
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water levels are too low to pump.
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Duck Abundance: None
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water levels are too low to pump.
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 66%.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 30%.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Poor, due to lack of water.
Migrations/Observations: Poor
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 0%.
Habitat Conditions: Poor, due to lack of water.
Migrations/Observations: Poor.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.
Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 %.
Habitat Conditions: Poor, due to lack of water
Migrations/Observations: Poor
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Trusten Holder WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Teal, gadwall and few mallards.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10%.
Habitat Conditions: Poor.
Migrations/Observations: Poor.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Comments: The Mississippi River gauge is at 0.6 feet.
Beryl Anthony/Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0%
Weather: Much colder temperatures
Duck Abundance: No ducks reported.
General Comments: Area is dependent on the river to flood and 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: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 0%
Habitat Conditions: Dry
Weather: Cloudy and cool
Migrations/Observations: No ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
General Comments: Good mast production.
Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 10%
Habitat Conditions: The mast crop is good.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:
General Comments:
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 10%
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Cloudy and cool
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Moist soil unit has good seed production and should attract ducks later in the season.
Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.55 MSL.
Habitat Conditions: Water is falling.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations:
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: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 90%
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Cloudy and cool.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-
Ed Gordon/Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 5%.
Habitat Conditions: Lots of millet and natural vegetation.
Weather: Cold and dry.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Point Remove Creek is too low to pump.
Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 0%
Habitat Conditions: Extremely dry.
Weather: Cold front this week should help move ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Habitat conditions are poor. The area needs major rainfall to improve habitat.
Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: The cold front this week should push more birds into the area
Migrations/Observations: Good number of ducks around Spadra Creek, Cabin Creek and McKenon Waterfowl Area.
Duck Abundance: Moderate
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Should have a good opening day on the river around Clarksville.
Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100%
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need major weather event to move ducks into the area.
Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: 50%.
Habitat Conditions: Good moist soil units planted in millet
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need major weather event to complete flooding of the remaining moist soil units.
Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100%
Habitat Conditions: Poor - Agricultural fields are dry
Weather: Need general rainfall and cold weather to move ducks into the area
Migrations/Observations: None observed
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need general rainfall and cold weather to move ducks into the area
Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
Black Lands Moist Soil Units- 95%
Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units- 0%
Pullen Pond- 0%
Pond Creek- 0%
Slaty Pond- 0%
Santa Fe- 0%
Habitat Conditions: A lot of hard mast on the WMA.
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed
Duck Abundance: Relatively low numbers overall. Some wood ducks and teal.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Very little rainfall, conditions extremely dry.
Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 75%
Habit.at Conditions: A lot of hard mast, some small grains planted in fields.
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: Moderate migration.
Duck Abundance: Moderately low, some teal and wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Very little rainfall, conditions extremely dry.
Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100%.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Weather: Dry.
Migrations/Observations: Very few ducks reported.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: 100% flooded.
Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 40%.
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Cold front this week will move ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks moved into the area last week.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: No hunting. Need general rainfall to improve habitat conditions.
Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: Less than 5%.
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: The cold front should push more ducks into the area.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: No ducks reported.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: The only water is in the levee borrow. The area will need significant rainfall to improve conditions.
*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/waterl...tails.html>
Sunrise sunset tables are available at: <http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html> and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.
S.C. - Standing alone against Northern aggression since 1861 (LAT)
Black Duck
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