Arkansas Wildlife Waterfowl Report
BY Jim Harris
ON 11-21-2018
Nov. 21, 2018
Jim Harris
Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
November mallard count in Delta above long-term average; geese outnumber ducks in aerial counting
LITTLE ROCK – The estimated 360,000 mallards counted in the Arkansas Delta in the November Aerial Waterfowl Survey were 100,000 higher than the 2009-2018 long-term November average, according to Arkansas Game and Fish waterfowl biologist Luke Naylor. Observers in the Delta also estimated a strong number of arctic-nesting geese during the survey, counting 828,000 light (lesser snow and Ross’s) geese and more than 420,000 greater white-fronted geese, for a total goose population estimated at 1,348,000, quite a bit more than the 837,000 ducks estimated in the Delta.
Total duck population estimates for all of Arkansas were similar to the long-term average.
The AGFC conducts four waterfowl surveys per season, with another scheduled the week of December 10. Observers during the November 12-16 aerial survey were J.J. Abernathy, Jason Carbaugh, Jason Jackson, Cameron Tatom and Alex Zachary.
What hunters found during the opening weekend of waterfowl hunting, according to personal reports forwarded to the Waterfowl Report, were large pockets of ducks scattered throughout by the good amount of water the state received in October and early November, Hunters that we spoke with at Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart on opening day reported a mixed bag of both success and species of ducks. Quite a few numbers of teal were spotted in southeast Arkansas and harvested, according to some hunters. Ducks were observed in good numbers around the Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA in the run-up to opening day.
The parking lot at Cypress Bayou WMA in White County, the newest addition to managed waterfowl acreage in the AGFC’s WMA system, was full with about 30 trucks on opening day, observers noted. Raft Creek’s draw left some hunters without a hole on Saturday, but on Sunday the number of hunters at Raft Creek had dropped slightly where everyone was accommodated.
The pre-opening weekend aerial survey noted about 40 percent of the mallards in the Delta were in rice fields, followed by other agricultural fields and moist-soil habitat. In the Arkansas River Valley, biologists saw about 36 percent of mallards in moist-soil habitat, with about 20 percent each in bottomland hardwood wetlands and flooded corn fields.
Nearly one-third of mallards in the Delta county by aerial observers were in the Cache River survey zone, followed closely by the Black-Upper White survey zone. Notable duck concentrations that did not fall along randomly selected transect lines included Lake Ashbaugh, Big Lake NWA, south of Big Lake NWR and WMA, Cache River north of Amagon, and Bald Knob NWR. Estimates for all ducks and mallards in the Arkansas River Valley were slightly higher than normal, with the highest counts in the Point Remove-Plumerville survey zone and fair numbers in the Petit Jean, Frog Bayou and Fourche LaFave survey zones. Only about one-third of ducks observed in southwest Arkansas were mallards, with gadwallas making up the majority of ducks in the area during the survey.
Naylor says abnormally cool temperatures provided good migration conditions for ducks and geese preceding the survey. Rain (even snow) and cold during typically dry periods provided a migration pulse earlier than normal, but duck migrations and higher duck counts typically coincide with historic periods of natural flooding — that is, mid-December and early January. So, as in most years, he said, additional mallard migrations should be coming in the next month.
Northeast Arkansas
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run. A few ducks and geese are mowing through the area.
South Oliver GTR
Habitat: Mast production has been good.
Water Level: 10% flooded with a current gauge reading of 0.0 feet. Most available water is within the natural slough on the north end of this GTR and south end of the North Oliver Tract.
Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat: Mast production has been good.
Water Level: 75% flooded with a current gauge reading of 0.8 feet.
Lake Hogue WRA
Habitat: Primarily deep open water habitat.
Water Level: Normal pool level.
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.
A few ducks and greese are seen flying around the area.
North Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is fair.
Water Level: Bo Dock gauge currently reads 235.0 feet msl. Target level is 235.5 feet with 90% flooded.
South Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is fair.
Water Level: The 7-Mile gauge is currently at 233.9 feet. Target level is 234.5 feet with 85% flooded.
Simmons Field
Habitat: A good amount of millet, smartweed and sedge is present. Seed production is very good in north unit, middle field was planted in Chawapa millet coverage is fair, south field was stripped in Chawapa millet fair with strips of smartweed that did extremely well.
Water Level: 100% coverage
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunt Area
Habitat: Mast production is average within the hunt area.
Water Level: Water levels on St. Francis Sunken Lands for waterfowl season are dependent on flows from St. Francis River. The target level for providing huntable timber is 212.0 feet msl read from the Oak Donnick gauge. As of Nov. 19, levels were 0.44 feet above target at 212.44 feet msl. More birds are in the area; however, numbers are still low.
Snowden WRA
Habitat: There was a small green up response of wetland plants after the growing season burns throughout the unit.
Water Level: 10% flooded, mostly in the low-lying areas due to rain.
Payneway WRA
Habitat: Pool D has 14 acres of Buckwheat providing good bugging areas when water becomes available. A,B,C pools have sunflowers left standing with some smartweed response underneath. Barrows have been mowed for open-water use.
Water Level: Pool A is at 0%. Pool B is at 5% coverage. Pool C is at 10%. Pool D is at 30%.
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: Good abundance of mast crop within the GTR.
Water Level: Water level is 238.0 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 msl. 30% flooded.
Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat: Good abundance of mast crop within the GTR.
Water Level: 60% flooded.
Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat: Good abundance of mast crop within the GTR.
Water Level: 20% flooded.
Phase III Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 70% flooded.
Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 65% flooded.
Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 60% flooded.
River Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation..
Water Level: 70% flooded.
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.
Upper Island GTR
Habitat: Below average abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is 269.7 feet msl. Target level is 269.5 feet msl. 100% flooded.
Lower Island GTR
Habitat: Below average abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is below readable gauge levels. Target level is 268.0 feet msl. 50% flooded.
Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat: Below average abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is 266.55 feet msl. Target level is 266.9 feet msl. 70% flooded.
Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat: Below average abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is 265.85 feet msl. Target level is 266.3 feet msl. 60% flooded.
Winchester GTR
Habitat: Below average abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Water Level: Water level is 263.75 feet msl. Target level is 263.7 feet msl. 100% flooded.
East-Central Arkansas
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
The Conway George units are available by applying for online permits. 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.
Mud Slough GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 100%.
Apple Lake WRA
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 100%.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit A
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Conway George Waterfowl Unit B
Habitat: Natural slough area with beneficial wetland plants
Water Level: 100%
Conway George Waterfowl Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures.
Main WMA
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 100%.
Wyeville Unit
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 75% coverage.
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Unit A
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100% coverage.
Unit B
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit D (Youth Area)
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit E
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit F
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit G
Habitat: Fair stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit H (Mobility-impaired blind)
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit I
Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 100%
Unit J (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit K (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 15%
Unit L (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
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 GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: The current Glaise Creek reading is 190.79 feet msl.
South GTR
Habitat: Fair mast crop.
Water Level: The current Glaise Creek reading is 190.79 feet msl.
Central Arkansas
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: 80% coverage.
Red Cut Slough Tract
Unit 1
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 80%
Unit 2
Habitat: Excellet 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 millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Unit 6
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Holland Bottoms WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 30% coverage.
Lake Pickthorne WRA
Habitat: Excellent.
Water Level: East cell is 70% coverage. West cell is 20%.
Harris Brake WMA
Harris Brake Upper Unit
Habitat: Fair mast crop mixed in with native vegetation.
Water Level: 95%
Harris Brake Lower Unit
Habitat: Fair mast crop mixed in with native vegetation.
Water Level: 60%
Northwest Arkansas
Dardanelle WMA
McKennon Bottoms (half-day hunting)
Habitat: Good stand of native moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100%.
Potter’s Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit (half-day hunting)
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet.
Water Level: 40%
Ozark Lake WMA/Dyer Lake Water Unit
Dyer Lake Cells (half-day hunting)
Habitat: Awaiting soybean harvest.
Water Level: Began pumping Monday, Nov. 19.
Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA
Nimrod GTR
Habitat: Fair mast crop mixed in with native vegetation.
Water Level: 5% and falling.
Frog Bayou WMA
County roads are muddy and rough; exercise caution upon entry/exit.
Unit 1
Habitat: Sprangle top crabgrass, wild millet and smart weed.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 2
Habitat: Poor moist-soil response due to August flood.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 3
Habitat: Smart weed, tooth cup, wild millet and Sprangle top.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 4
Habitat: Wild millet, sprangle top, smart weed, nut sedge and crabgrass.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 5
Habitat: Sprangle top, wild millet and smart weed.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 6
Habitat: Wild millet, smart weed and crabgrass.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 7
Habitat: Smart weed, wild millet and sprangle top.
Water Level: 100%
Petit Jean River WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Santa Fe GTR
Habitat: Fair mast crop mixed in with native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Olin Cain/Sore Head Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: 25% native vegetation with 75% bare ground due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects.
Water Level: 35%
Black Lands Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
Slaty Crossing Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Fair stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
Pullen Pond
Habitat: Half of area has a fair stand of native vegetation, other half of area has 100 acres of Japanese millet.
Water Level: 30%
Pond Creek GTR
Habitat: Fair mast crop mixed in with native vegetation.
Water Level: 10%
Slaty Pond GTR
Habitat: Fair mast crop mixed in with native vegetation.
Water Level: 10%
Black Lands Duck Area
Habitat: Millet mixed in with good native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Galla Creek WMA
Galla Creek GTR
Habitat: Excellent stand of natural vegetation including a mixture of barnyard and smartweed.
Water Level: 30%, staged flooding of the impoundment began on Nov. 15.
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA
Map | Weather Report
Most waterfowl impoundments on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA are at full pool at this time. Duck use and hunter success on the WMA has been fair to moderate.
Little Hole (Unit 1)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Willow Island (Unit 2)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Red Gate (Unit 3)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Cedar Ridge (Unit 6)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 7a
Habitat: Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level:100%
Unit 7b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Duck Trap (Units 8a, 8b and 8c)
8a
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
8b
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
8c
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 9
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa Millet.
Water Level: 100%
Controversy Corner (Unit 10)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
Remmel Marsh
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
Mud Pond (Unit 12)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 10%
Turkey Pond (Units 13a, 13b and 13c)
13a
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
13b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
13c
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese and Chiwappa millet.
Water Level: 100%
Teeny Pond (Unit 14)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Salt Lick (Unit 15)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Bobby’s Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Race Track (Unit 17)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Southwest Arkansas
Sulphur River WMA
Mercer Bayou
Habitat: Fair.
Water Level: 80% and falling. Drawn down for restoration project, boat ramps are open as water levels allow.
Henry Moore WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 20%.
Millwood Lake
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: 260.32 feet msl.
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: 10%
GTR
Habitat: Good mast production.
Water Level: 50%.
Little Grassy
Habitat: Good.
Water Level: 60%
Ozan WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Unit 1
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 40%
Unit 2
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 10%
Unit 3
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 5%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 5%
Unit 5
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Southeast Arkansas
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA
Map | Weather Report
Habitat: The WMA has a good hard mast production.
Water Level: The Ouachita River water level below Felsenthal Lock and Dam is 66 feet and is expected to increase throughout the week. Flooding from the Ouachita River will put additional water onto the WMA. The WMA is about 10% flooded.
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 river.
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.
Seven Devils WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good
Water Level: 129.5 feet msl. Water levels are variable depending on Cut-Off Creek levels.
Cut-Off Creek WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
Pigeon Creek WRA
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: 0% flooded.
George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA
Upper Vallier GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 179 feet msl, full pool at 180 feet msl.
Lower Vallier GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 179.6 feet msl, full pool at 179 feet msl.
Government Cypress GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 179 feet msl, full pool at 179 feet msl.
Buckingham Flats GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0% flooded. First phase of pumping started.
Temple Island GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0% flooded. Pumping delayed due to power unit problems.
Canon Brake
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 100% flooded.
Halowell WRA
Habitat: Excellent
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units. 75% flooded, good duck usage on west units.
Wrape Plantation WRA
Habitat: Excellent
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units.
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