Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report
BY Jim Harris
ON 11-23-2022
Nov. 23, 2022
Jim Harris
Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
Waterfowl Hunters Should Report Signs of Avian Influenza|
LITTLE ROCK — Due to the risk of avian influenza, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking waterfowl hunters to remain vigilant for any concentrations of sick or dead birds they find in the wild. The risk of humans contracting the disease remains low, but hunters can help further minimize that risk by following a few simple precautions.
Hunters and wildlife watchers who observe concentrations of sick or dead birds should contact the AGFC’s wildlife health program with any questions, information about the species, number of birds affected and location at agfc.health@agfc.ar.gov. More information on avian influenza information is available at AGFC, Ducks Unlimited, and USDA APHIS’s website. AGFC staff will document the additional input, but due to the Thanksgiving holiday replies may not be immediate.
“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in domestic poultry flocks this year as well as multiple wild birds in Arkansas, and several tests are pending,” Dr. Jenn Ballard, state wildlife veterinarian for the AGFC, said. “It also has been confirmed throughout the Mississippi Flyway, so it was just a matter of time before we found it here.”
According to Ballard, various low pathogenicity strains of influenza always circulate in wild bird populations. The particular variant known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza causing recent headlines has much more potential to spread and has caused billions of dollars of damage to domestic poultry production in Asia, Europe and North America.
“HPAI was found in domestic birds in North America before, forcing producers to quarantine and eliminate flocks to prevent further spread, but it always fizzled out in wild birds,” Dr. Ballard said. “It now seems to have adapted to wild birds to a point that it is persisting. Dozens of species have been confirmed with thousands of birds dying.”
Risk to Humans Is Very Low
The risk for humans to contract HPAI is still very low, and cases where the disease has infected humans came from situations where working conditions caused people to be in close proximity to infected poultry.
As a general precaution, hunters should use good hygiene practices when handling, cleaning and preparing harvested waterfowl.
Safety Guidelines for Hunters:
- Harvest only waterfowl that act and look healthy. Do not handle or eat sick animals.
- Wear disposable gloves when handling and cleaning game and field dress outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
- Dispose of unwanted parts in a manner that prevents scavenging by domestic animals and wildlife.
- Thoroughly cook all game to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating it.
- Do not feed pets or domestic animals uncooked portions of waterfowl.
The more concerning risk associated with HPAI is its potential for spillover to domestic poultry.
Agricultural officials urge poultry producers to implement biosecurity measures around their flocks, especially during periods of waterfowl migration, but hunters who have contact with poultry should use extra caution. Avoid contact between poultry and wild birds or their parts. After handling waterfowl, change or clean clothing, shoes and other equipment before coming into contact with poultry, including commercial production facilities and backyard flocks.
— Report by Randy Zellers and Keith Stephens
Youth Have WRICE Opportunities
For the weekend of Dec. 3-4, there is no regular waterfowl hunting in Arkansas. But Saturday, Dec. 3, is the first of two Youth Waterfowl Hunt days as part of the 2022-23 season, and youths 16 and under may apply for an Arkansas WRICE field for that day. But note: The application must be by the youth (with a C.I.D. number) and must be submitted before Sunday at midnight for the drawing. The application fee is $5, a youth may take three additional hunters to the field, and the winners will be contacted on Monday for directions to their field and other instructions.
For Dec. 3, there are 31 fields that will be made available around the state. Some fields still do not have water for duck use.
For Thanksgiving weekend, there were 49 fields available for hunters around the state, up from 41 on the first weekend. Some farmers or landowners with surface water have been able to put some water on their fields to make them attractive to waterfowl. Some other fields have proved to be attractive to greater white-fronted geese during the early part of the season. A few WRICE fields were made available for permit hunting when speck season opened Oct. 29.
Youths may also apply for permit hunts at Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA, Freddie Black Choctaw Island West Unit WMA and any fields that are open for application to Red Cut Slough, part of the Cypress Bayou WMA. This week, Unit 6 at Red Cut Slough had 80 percent water coverage and was available for hunting.
Visit https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl/special-waterfowl-permit-hunts/ for more information and links to the permit application site. All applications are $5.
Saturday, Dec. 3, will also be a special hunt day for Veterans and Active Duty military personnel throughout the state, including the AGFC’s WMAs that are managed for waterfowl hunting. Participants (including youths and a mentor who cannot hunt but can call and retreive ducks or geese) may hunt in the AGFC’s WMAs until sunset.
Duck Expectations Correct
Luke Naylor, the AGFC’s Wildlife Management Division chief and also doing his previous work as waterfowl program coordinator until a new person is hired for that post, said last week that hunters who had hunting land and enough water would likely have good opening weekend hunts, but that the numbers would begin to fall off immediately with the limited habitat (mainly lack of water around the state).
Sure enough, our anecdotal reports that came in early this week reflected as much. A lot of gadwalls and wood ducks were seen in the southern part of the Arkansas Delta. Some saw a few mallards in various spots. But the numbers they were seeing were dropping into midweek.
The good news is that beginning Thanksgiving day, the state could see and decent amount of rain over the next three to four days and put some surface water on the landscape. The public hunting areas (see the habitat report below) all need it; other than the moist-soil units that are already pumping water where available, or where water can be diverted to greentree reservoirs in Dave Donaldson Black River WMA and the nearby lakes that help flood Harris Brake WMA and Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA, there is not much if any change in water conditions around the state.
As a personal anecdote, I joined a party that went on a guided goose hunt in Arkansas County earlier this week. The guide service operating the trip saw thousands of specklebellies and a good number of snow geese arriving to join them. Snows tended to decoy better; specks in that area have seen a lot of A-frames and a lot of blasts coming from those blinds since opening of greater white-fronted geese on Oct. 29 (the season, which is 74 days this year with a 3 bird limit, up one bird from last year over fewer days, was closed Nov. 11-18 before reopening with all of waterfowl season on Nov. 19. On an afternoon that turned unseasonably warm, the geese did not begin to fly back to the fields from midday roosting until about 4 p.m., but over the next 57 minutes, the party harvested 18 birds, with eight being specks. The 10 of the last 11 birds taken, however, were snow, blue or Ross’s geese. Specks seemed a little spooked.
All waterfowl hunting will cease for the first split in the season at sunset Sunday (Nov. 27) and resume on Saturday, Dec. 10. The last midseason closure is Dec. 24-25 before resuming Dec. 26 and running through Jan. 31. Youth 16 and under, veterans and active duty military may hunt all legal waterfowl with the usual statewide limits on Dec. 3.
Bag Limits
Daily bag limits are the same as recent years. Hunters make harvest a bag limit of 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks or 1 mottled duck. Beyond those exceptions, the limit is up to 6 ducks of a species, including teal. The merganser daily bag limit is 5, with only 2 hooded mergansers allowed. The daily bag limit for coots is 15. Non-lead shot must be used for waterfowl hunting in Arkansas. The possession limit for ducks, coots and mergansers is three times the daily bag limit.
Hunting for greater white-fronted geese opened Oct. 29 and briefly closed on Nov. 11, before it will continue with the opening of duck season. The daily bag limit is 3, up from last year’s 2 birds per day.
There are two “splits” between the three sections of Arkansas’s duck season, which specklebelly season and other goose seasons will also run concurrent. The first closure is between Nov. 28-Dec. 9, with waterfowl season reopening 30 minutes before sunrise Saturday, Dec. 10. The second closing “split” is for the Christmas holiday, Dec. 24-25, with the final section of duck season reopening 30 minutes before sunrise Dec. 26. The season closes at sunset Jan. 31.
The dates for the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt and Special Active Duty Military and Veterans Hunt are Dec. 3 and Feb. 4, both on a Saturday.
Get HIP
Remember that all hunting on WMAs ends at noon, with the exception of the Youth and Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Waterfowl hunts on all WMAs, as well as the last day (Jan. 31) of the season, which close at sunset. Shooting time in the WMAs is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise and ends at noon. Waterfowl hunters must be off water-inundated areas or natural/man-made water courses by 1 p.m. (by NOON on Dave Donaldson Black River WMA and George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA) during regular duck season except where noted in WMA-specific Details. Waterfowl hunters must be off water-inundated areas or natural/man-made water courses by 6:30 p.m. on the last day of regular duck season and during the Youth and Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Waterfowl Hunts on all WMAs.
Also, in addition to your hunting license and state and federal waterfowl stamps (signed in ink on the front), you must also have proof of Harvest Information Program registration, which is free. Once you have filled out this year’s HIP information (you can do this online at www.agfc.com, “Buy Licenses/Check Game” tab), that information is maintained on the licensing website.
Northeast Arkansas
Big Lake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
When the Ditch 81 extension gauge near Manila (upstream of the Big Lake north-end control structure) reads 17.5 feet, water is beginning to come over the north levee degrade on Big Lake WMA. When the Ditch 81 Extension gauge reads 18.0 feet or higher, the water level on the WMA will rise quickly and hunters should exercise caution while on the area. Be aware of underwater logs in boat runs and hangers in trees.
North Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: Gauge reading at BoDoc is 234.6 feet msl; target level is 235.5 feet with 0% flooded.
South Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is fair.
Water Level: Gauge reading at 7-Mile is 232.2 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet with 0% flooded.
Simmons Field
Habitat: Native production is good in the middle and south fields.
Water Level: 0% coverage.
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. Please remember to keep boats off the levees so AGFC personnel can access the area. Boats blocking access will be moved. Unattended trailers are not to be left overnight on parking areas. As of Nov. 15, the current Black River level is 2.32 feet and falling.
Upper Island GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 269.35 feet msl. Target level is 269.5; 90% flooded.
Lower Island GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is below the gauge. Target level is 268.0; 30% flooded.
Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 265.5. Target level is 266.9; 20% flooded.
Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 265.1 feet msl. Target level is 266.3; 10% flooded.
Winchester GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is below the readable gauge. Target level is 263.7; 0% flooded.
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run.
South Oliver GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 0% flooded. The Thompson Tract GTR will be allowed to rise and fall naturally without the gates being operated later and partially this season. This action is an effort to help the next generation of forest.
Lake Hogue WRA
Habitat: Primarily deep open water habitat.
Water Level: Normal pool level.
Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. In addition, hunters should allow safe passage when parking vehicles along roadsides. Vehicles blocking access will be moved.
Adam Brake GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: Water level is 238.1 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 feet msl; 35% flooded.
Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 20% flooded.
Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
Phase III Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Fair wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 30% flooded.
Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Fair wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 80% flooded.
River Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 90% flooded.
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunt Area
Habitat: Good mast production within the hunt area.
Water Level: Water levels on St. Francis Sunken Lands for waterfowl season are dependent on flows from the St. Francis River. The target level for providing huntable timber is 212.0 feet msl at the Oak Donnick gauge. Current reading is 212.11 feet msl.
Snowden WRA
Habitat: Mixed grasses.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
Payneway WRA
Habitat: A, B, C and D pools have mixed smartweed and barnyard grasses. Moderate mast is available within pools A, B and C as well.
Water Level: Pool A is at 0% coverage. Pool B is at 0%. Pool C is at 0%. Pool D is at 0%.
East-Central Arkansas
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures.
North Unit
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: The White River at Augusta as of Wednesday, Nov. 23, was 15.85 feet and falling. The water level at Glaise Creek was not available from the USGS. All structures on the North GTR will remain open during the 2022-23 season.
South Unit
Habitat: Fair mast crop.
Water Level: The White River at Augusta is 15.85 feet and falling. The water level at Glaise Creek was not available from the USGS. All structures on the South Unit are open.
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures.
Gregory GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: Little water available (Cache River at Patterson was at 3.11 feet on Nov. 22.)
Wiville Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: Little water available
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
The Conway George units are currently available for hunting by applying for online permits. Youths may apply for Saturday and Sunday hunts, with one adult hunter allowed per one youth, up to four hunters in the blind. Please visit www.agfc.com for maps, special regulations, permit application and draw dates. Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures. The AGFC will not be putting boards in at Dagmar. Water coverage is dependent on river level.
Mud Slough GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 10% coverage.
Apple Lake WRA (no hunting)
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 10% coverage.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit A
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 90% coverage
Conway George Waterfowl Unit B
Habitat: Natural slough area with beneficial native wetland plants.
Water Level: 60% coverage
Conway George Waterfowl Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 0% coverage
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 80% coverage
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 75% coverage
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 0% coverage
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
Hunting in Raft Creek Bottoms WMA requires participation on the online draw a week before the following weekend’s hunt. There is no online draw on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and permits are available at the boat accesses. Permits ARE required (via online application) on weekends, Tuesdays and Thursdays for the youth and mobility-impaired blinds and for the Magellan Tract. Visit agfc.com to apply for the online draw. There will be no designated holes this season.
The White River gauge at Georgetown on Tuesday, Nov. 15, was 4.32 and rising.
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Unit A
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 70% coverage.
Unit B
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 40%
Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 5%
Unit D
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 50%
Unit E
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 20%
Unit F (Youth Area)
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit G
Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 0%
Unit H (Mobility-impaired blind)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit I
Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 0%
Unit J (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 30%
Unit K (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 3%
Unit L (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Fair stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Unit M (Magellan Tract)
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Central Arkansas
Bell Slough WMA
Map | Weather Report
The Bell Slough GTR is primarily rainfall dependent with the exception of a limited amount of water that the AGFC can back in and catch from Palarm Creek.
Bell Slough GTR
Habitat: Fair mast crop.
Water Level: 5%.
Palarm Creek WRA
Habitat: Rest area was heavily disked late this year and millet crop did not take before the early frost.
Water Level: 40%
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
Map | Weather Report
Habitat and water levels are normal on both Pierce and Dix creeks.
Cypress Bayou WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat:
Good mast crop.
Water Level: 0% coverage.
Red Cut Slough Tract
Unit 1
Habitat:
Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 0%
Unit 2
Habitat:
Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation
Water Level: 0%
Unit 3
Habitat:
Good stand of millet and native vegetation
Water Level: 0%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Unit 5
Habitat:
Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Unit 6
Habitat:
Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 80%
Harris Brake WMA
Upper GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 75%.coverage,
Lower GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 40% coverage. The Harris Brake Lake valve was opened Nov. 15 to begin supplemental flooding of both the Lower and Upper GTRs. Water is now going over Steamboat Road.
Holland Bottoms WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: NA
Lake Pickthorne WRA (no hunting)
Habitat: Excellent crop of native vegetation and millet.
Water Level: NA
Northwest Arkansas
Dardanelle WMA
McKennon Bottoms (half-day hunting)
Habitat: Good stand of native moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100% coverage
Potter’s Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit (half-day hunting)
Habitat: West cell has a poor stand of moist-soil vegetation. East cell has an average stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 80% coverage
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA
Pumping of waterfowl impoundments began Oct. 31 and will continue as water levels in Point Remove Creek allow. Duck Use on the WMA has been moderate.
Little Hole (Unit 1)
Habitat: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
Willow Island (Unit 2)
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 60%
Red Gate (Unit 3)
Habitat: Natural vegetation
Water Level: 60%
Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 70%
Cedar Ridge (Unit 6)
Habitat: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 60%
Unit 7a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 80%
Unit 7b
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Duck Trap (Units 8a, 8b and 8c)
8a
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0%
8b
Habitat: Japanese millett and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 70%
8c
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 10%
Unit 9
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 60%
Controversy Corner (Unit 10)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 40%
Remmel Marsh
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 60%
Mud Pond (Unit 12)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 50%
Turkey Pond (Units 13a, 13b and 13c)
13a
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 40%
13b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
13c
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0%
Teeny Pond (Unit 14)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Salt Lick (Unit 15)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 40%
Bobby’s Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 30%
Race Track (Unit 17)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 80%
Frog Bayou WMA
Due to the dry summer, several units have been fallow-disked in preparation for next season.
Unit 1
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation in the upper end, while lower end has been fallow-disked.
Water Level: 100% coverage
Unit 2
Habitat: Has been fallow-disked. Unit is rainfall dependent.
Water Level: 15% flooded.
Unit 3
Habitat: Average stand of moist-soil vegetation on the upper end; lower end has been fallow-disked.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and planted millet
Water Level: 100%
Unit 5
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation on the upper end; lower end has been planted with Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 6
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation. Lower end has been fallow-disked.
Water Level: 10% (pumping is dependant on river levels).
Unit 7
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 20% (pumping will begin Nov. 29).
Galla Creek WMA
Galla Creek GTR
Habitat: Good stands of native vegetation and Japanese millet. The area is stage-flooded in thirds, and the gate has been raised during the first third flooding. The gate will be raised again Dec. 1 and the final time around Jan. 1.
Water Level: About 25% flooded.
Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA
Nimrod GTR
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is moderate this year as well as the desirable native vegetation growth. Due to abnormally dry conditions, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The water control structures were closed Nov. 15.
Water Level: 0% flooded. Flooding of the area is rainfall dependent.
Ozark Lake WMA/Dyer Lake Water Unit
Dyer Lake Cells
Unit 1 Dyer main cell
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100% coverage for both units
Unit 2 Dyer Road Cell
Habitat: Poor stand of moist-soil vegetation due to dry conditions over the summer.
Water Level: 100% coverage
Unit 3 South Cell
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and volunteer millet
Water Level: 10% coverage
Unit 4 West Cell (rainfall dependent)
|Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and volunteer millet.
Water Level: 5% coverage
Petit Jean River WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Sorehead Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: This unit was able to grow a great stand of desirable native vegetation this year. The Kingfisher Lake water control structure valve was opened Nov. 15 to help flood this area.
Water Level: 100%
Blacklands Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is moderate this year as well as the desirable native vegetation growth. Millet planting was attempted this year, but the dry conditions prevented growth. The recent rains have put enough water in the river to start pumping last week.
Water Level: 100%.
Slaty Crossing Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, this unit was not able to grow a desirable native vegetation crop or millet crop this year. The recent rains have put enough water in the river to start pumping last week.
Water Level: 100%
Blacklands Duck Area
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is moderate this year as well as the desirable native vegetation growth. Millet planting was attempted this year, but the dry conditions prevented growth. The Kingfisher Lake water control structure valve was to be opened Nov. 15 to help flood the area.
Water Level: 100%
Pullen Pond Marsh
Habitat: Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, parts of the central section and western section of this area is bare ground. Most of the area has a great stand of desirable native vegetation. Flooding of the area is rainfall dependent. The water control structures were closed on Nov. 4.
Water Level: 5%.
Pond Creek GTR
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is moderate this year as well as the desirable native vegetation growth. Due to abnormally dry conditions, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The water control structures were closed Nov. 15.
Water Level: 0%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.
Slaty GTR
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is moderate this year. Due to abnormally dry conditions, this area is not expected to fill up fast as in previous years. The water control structures were closed Nov. 16.
Water Level: 0%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.
Santa Fe GTR
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is moderate this year as well as the desirable native vegetation growth. Due to abnormally dry conditions, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The water control structures were closed Nov. 15.
Water Level: 0%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.
Southwest Arkansas
Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc WMA
Bois d’Arc Lake WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: Normal
Red Slough WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 0% coverage.
GTR
Habitat: Good mast production.
Water Level: Flooding will begin Dec. 1.
Little Grassy
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 15%
Millwood Lake
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Millwood was at 259.66 feet msl as of Nov. 21.
Ozan WMA
Flooding of all units is rainfall dependent.
Unit 1
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 2
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 3
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 5
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Sulphur River WMA
Mercer Bayou
Habitat: Fair
Water Level: 75%
Henry Moore WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 5%
Southeast Arkansas
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA
Map | Weather Report
Water Level: No duck hunting water. Water is available in the oxbow lakes located in the WMA.
Cut-Off Creek WMA
Map | Weather Report
Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: No huntable water.
Pigeon Creek WRA
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Pumping as water conditions allow.
Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat conditions are good. Flooding is river dependent. Click on the Water Gauge link above for current Mississippi River levels. Use extreme caution when boating in the river.
The Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA West Unit allows weekend permit hunting for youths (one adult per youth hunter); on Wednesdays, all ages may apply for a permit to hunt the blinds in the West Unit.
George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
The UGSG is reporting real-time water gauge readings at the headwater at each GTR within the George H. Dunklin Bayou Meto WMA. Click the Water Gauge link above for the WMA, and search for the particular GTR as noted.
NOTE: During the 2022-23 wintering period, all intentional flooding will be held at 178.5 feet msl, an elevation that will relieve stress on many trees such as red oaks that are showing signs of distress. Rain and increased flow into the WMA will allow water to rise above that level periodically. A good rule of thumb for comparing water levels to access into Bayou Meto: 176 feet msl – water breaking into sloughs and lower ditches; 177-177.5 feet msl – water beginning to break out of sloughs and lower ditches; 178 feet msl – water in most sloughs and ditches and entering into lower elevations in woods; 178.5 feet msl – most ditches and sloughs deep enough to boat and most boat ramps become serviceable; 179 feet msl or above – water expands to the higher elevations.
Upper Vallier GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Upper Vallier Headwater) for updated info.
Lower Vallier GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Lower Vallier Headwater) for updated info.
Government Cypress GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Government Cypress Headwater) for updated info.
Buckingham Flats GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: No huntable water. See Gauge Link (Buckingham Flats Headwater) for updated info.
Temple Island GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: No huntable water. See Gauge Link (Temple Island Headwater) for updated info.
Canon Brake
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Canon Brake Headwater) for updated info.
Halowell WRA
Habitat: Excellent
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units.
Wrape Plantation WRA
Habitat: Excellent
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units.
Seven Devils WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: No huntable water.
Trusten Holder WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat conditions are good. Flooding is river dependent. Click on the Water Gauge link above for current Arkansas River levels.
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