Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report

Nov. 15, 2023

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

There Will Be Ducks

Water Scarce in Some Public Hunting Areas, but Some Opportunities Exist

It’s become a standard refrain for the opening of Arkansas’s waterfowl season in recent years that conditions are dry around the state, though at least there may be more moisture than this time last season. In spite of water scarcity, though, waterfowl hunters should see some ducks around The Natural State when the season opens Saturday at 30 minutes before sunrise.

“I expect it to be fairly similar to a normal Arkansas opening weekend,” Brett Leach, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s waterfowl program coordinator, said. “Driving around to areas, the habitat all looks pretty good. I was at Ed Gordon (Point Remove WMA on Tuesday) and their moist soil units, they all looked top-notch and they’re getting water out in the areas. Obviously it’s been a dry fall, so there’s not a whole lot of water for the (greentree reservoirs) right now, they just started putting in boards this week to hold water.”

The complete list of AGFC’s waterfowl-managed WMAs, with greentree reservoirs and moist soil units, is listed below. The Arkansas waterfowl season is 60 days, with the first segment of three running nine days, Nov. 18-26. There is a 13-day break before the second segment starts Dec. 10. Hunting begins 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. Hunting in WMAs runs until noon.

A few public areas such as Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA, as Leach mentioned, are getting decent water on the ground with pumping from Point Remove Creek. However, other public areas like Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, which has become one of the most popular hunting areas in Arkansas, are struggling to get enough water to accommodate even a few hunters for opening weekend.

Hunting at Raft Creek Bottoms is by draw permit only on the weekends, and permits as allocated only for the number of available hunting areas — only a handful spots in Raft Creek Bottoms had water to hunt this weekend. While permits also are required there on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they can be picked up at the visitors kiosk, but accessible hunting likely will still be limited next week. Most hunters will have to access it by walking in.

Following drought conditions for several weeks in late summer and early fall, Arkansas received a statewide dousing of major rainfall the weekend before last; however, Leach said, a lot of that water seems to have dried up from what he’s seen driving around the state and checking on the WMAs.

“The private clubs who have access to water will have pumped it into their fields or woods, and they’ll have ducks. The rain we had provided some water, but talking to a lot of the guys across the state, it sounds like it’s going to be oxbows that people will be hunting and competing for limited water,” Leach said.

Leach has been scouting conditions around the state in the runup to waterfowl season, including a trip nearly two weeks ago in the Jonesboro area, where he saw many pintails and greenwing teal. This week he was in the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge and the Stuttgart area, where he spotted more mallards arriving.

“All the sheet water (from the big rains) I saw really has been drying up,” he said. “But there have been quite a few birds around while I’ve been driving around. I’ve seen a lot of pintails, and last week I saw more mallards coming into the state. There are quite a few (greater white-fronted geese) around that (Stuttgart) area and definitely a lot more snows are starting to show up now, too. Still the majority of geese are specks flying around … we had quite a few flocks flying over us at the White River.”

Leach, who joined the AGFC last January, is a native of Wisconsin and has checked in with friends around the country for their outlook on waterfowl in their areas, to get an idea of what might be in the offing in coming weeks here.

“I haven’t heard much north of us,” he said. “I’ve got some buddies hunting in Missouri who have been doing pretty well the last few days. North Dakota, they really are starting to freeze up there now. They had 10 inches of snow earlier this year.”

Coverage of food sources north of Arkansas will do more to push more birds this way. Last year’s big movement of birds didn’t happen until around Christmastime, when the midwest from just above the Arkansas state line was blanketed by snow and ice. Leach was hopeful of weather forecasts this week calling for a cold front just before opening day that might help some birds along their migration paths.

“We’ll start seeing a few more ducks coming in later this week,” he said. “They’re calling for some north winds.”

WRICE Permits Go Fast
The opening weekend of waterfowl season attracted a larger than usual number of applications for private land hunting permits to open the year with the Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program. The process drew more than 400 applications for available rice field hunts.

The program this year has enrolled landowners with 78 fields with leftover rice stubble, but limited water availability with some reduced the number of huntable fields for the first weekend to around 40.

While opening day opportunities are spoken for, hunters interested in a field for the Nov. 25-26 weekend can begin applying for a WRICE permit at 3 p.m. Thursday. The application period ends at midnight Sunday, and winners are contacted on Monday with information for hunting their field. (Permits that are required for WMAs such as Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA and Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA also are available for application during this same period.)

The cost to apply for a permit is $5. Winners of permits may bring three guests on their hunts (the permit winner must be present if the group is hunting), and the hunting parties may hunt both weekend days from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

The format continues throughout the season. Those seeking a WRICE permit should plan to apply the week before the available hunt. Each application period starts at 3p.m. Thursday, nine days before that selection’s hunt.

The three segments of the Arkansas waterfowl season are Nov. 18-26, Dec. 9-23 and Dec. 27-Jan. 31. Youths may also apply for an available WRICE permitted field on the scheduled special youth hunts of Dec. 2 and Feb. 3.

To apply for a WRICE permit, visit the newly updated agency website, agfc.com, click on the “Buy Your 2023 Hunting License” tag and then the “Special Permit Hunts” tag. More information is available at https://www.agfc.com/education/arkansas-waterfowl-rice-program-wrice/.

Information on applying for permits required for certain WMAs (Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms, Cypress Bayou WMA Red Cut Slough, Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA Conway George Tract youth blinds, and Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA West Unit youth hunts) can be found at https://www.agfc.com/hunting/waterfowl/special-waterfowl-permit-hunts/. Permits will be limited, if not unavailable, if there is no water on the ground to allow hunting.

How to Join the WRICE Program
The WRICE program, now in its sixth year, has been funded through a Voluntary Public Access grant through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in which landowners are paid for maintaining acres for habitat suitable for migratory waterfowl, and in turn allowing public access on their private property. The program was popular with hunters in the Western United States. Luke Naylor, formerly the waterfowl program coordinator and now chief of the Wildlife Management Division, worked with the NCRS to bring VPA funds to Arkansas after the program had been funded by the AGFC for its first two years.

Landowners agree to postpone post-harvest tillage of their rice fields and do no disking. They can roll their fields, burn them or leave the rice stubble standing. Then they hold water in the fields during the season, striving for 4-18 inches of water across the field. Most fields have either pits or skid blinds, and the blinds have been brushed. This information is available on the agency’s WRICE webpage and also made available to winners of the weekly permits.

Scouting of fields is permitted before the hunt as long as the permit holders stay on the state or county roads in the vicinity of the fields, or if they use the designated parking areas.

Nonresidents Get 30-Day Fix
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved on Oct. 31 a new 30-day permit for nonresident duck hunters who wish to hunt on AGFC-managed wildlife management areas.

According to the current Arkansas Code of Regulations nonresidents may only duck hunt on WMAs during the first nine days of regular duck season; Dec. 27-Jan. 5; and Jan. 21-31. To hunt, they must have a valid 5-day Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit or the new 30-day Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit. The creation of the new permit satisfied an issue with the reduced number of days a nonresident could hunt on WMAs. Without it, a nonresident hunter would have had to purchase seven of the 5-day permits at $40 each to be able to hunt the full allotment of 30 days allowed each season, with two of those permits not being able to be used to their full extent.

The new 30-day Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Permit is available for $200 and is valid for all dates nonresidents may hunt waterfowl on Arkansas WMAs.

Another change to the AGFC Code of Regulations was an increase to the yearly limit of the agency’s new Resident Natural State Lifetime Combination License and Permit available to Arkansas residents aged 10 and under. Initially, 500 of these licenses were to be sold per fiscal year, but that cap has now been raised to 1,000 licenses available for purchase each fiscal year. The license, which gives its recipients the privileges associated with a Resident Combination Sportsman’s License, Arkansas state duck stamp and Arkansas trout stamp for life, is available for $500, a $500 savings from the standard Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit that offers the same privileges.

According to AGFC Deputy Director Spencer Griffith, the eligibility of a youth to qualify for this license is backdated to Aug. 1, 2023.

“Anyone who was under 10 as of Aug. 1 can get this license this year,” Griffith said. “We already have more than 350 of these licenses sold, and we expect to see many more purchased as Christmas presents for youths this year.”

Southwest Arkansas
Central Arkansas
East-Central Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas
Northeast Arkansas
Southeast Arkansas

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 233.5 feet; target level is 235.5 feet; 0% flooded.

South Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is fair.
Water Level: Gauge reading at 7-Mile is 232.2 feet; target level is 234.5 feet; 10% flooded.

Simmons Field
Habitat: Native production is good in the north 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 in parking areas. As of Nov. 13, the current Black River level is 1.47 feet and falling.

Upper Island GTR

Habitat: Mast crop is good within the GTRs

Water Level: Current level is 268.4. Target level is 269.5; 30% flooded.

Lower Island GTR

Habitat: Mast crop is good within the GTRs

Water Level: Current level is below readable gauge level. Target level is 268.0; 10% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR

Habitat: Mast crop is good within the GTRs

Water Level: Current level is below readable gauge level. Target level is 266.9; 5% flooded.

Lower Reyno GTR

Habitat: Mast crop is good within the GTRs

Water Level: Current level is below readable gauge level feet msl. Target level is 266.3; 5% flooded.

Winchester GTR

Habitat: Mast crop is good.

Water Level: Current level is below readable gauge level. Target level is 263.7; 5% flooded.

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA

Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat lane. .

South Oliver GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 0.0 feet 0% flooded.

Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 0.0 feet. 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 0.0 feet with a target level of 240.0 feet msl. 0% flooded.

Rainey Brake GTR

Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: 0% flooded.

Eagle Pond GTR

Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: 0% flooded.

Phase III Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Good stand of Japanese millet.

Water Level: 0% flooded.

Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Japanese millet

Water Level: 0% flooded.

Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Barnyard and panicum grass composition

Water Level: 0% flooded.

River Field Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Japanese millet

Water Level: 0% 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 212.39 feet msl.

Snowden WRA

Habitat: Mixed grasses

Water Level: 10% 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 10%.

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 Nov. 13 was 14.66 feet and falling. The water level at Glaise Creek is at 187.07 feet msl. All structures on the North GTR will remain open during the 2023-24 season.

South Unit

Habitat: Fair mast crop

Water Level: The White River at Augusta is 14.66 feet. The water level at Glaise Creek is at 187.07 feet msl. There are no structures to close on the South Unit.

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: Cache River at Patterson was at 4.9 feet and falling on Nov. 14.

Wiville Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Native vegetation
Water Level: 0% flooded

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. Wednesday permit hunts are available for adults (up to four hunters per party, three blinds available). 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: 20% coverage.

Conway George Waterfowl Unit A

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 40% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit B

Habitat: Natural slough area with beneficial native wetland plants

Water Level: 90% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit C

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0% coverage

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: No coverage

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: No coverage

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: No 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 Monday, Nov. 13, was 2 feet and falling.

Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Unit A

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 15% coverage.

Unit B

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 5%

Unit C

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 10%

Unit D

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 15%

Unit E

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0%

Unit F (Youth Area)

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 100%

Unit G

Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor.

Water Level: 0%

Unit H (Mobility-impaired blind)

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 100%

Unit I

Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor.

Water Level: 0%

Unit J (Cypert Tract)

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 10%

Unit K (Cypert Tract)

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0%

Unit L (Cypert Tract)

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0%

Unit M (Magellan Tract)

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0%

Central Arkansas

Bell Slough WMA

Map | Weather Report

Flooding of the Bell Slough GTR is rainfall dependent. Gates will tentatively be lowered in the GTR water control structure on Nov. 17. Map | Weather Report

Due to planned renovation work to Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir, water levels are currently 3.5 – 4 feet below normal pool on both Pierce and Dix creeks.

Cypress Bayou WMA

Map| Weather Report

Hunt Area

Habitat: Good mast crop
Water Level: 0% coverage.

Red Cut Slough Tract

Unit 1

Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.

Water Level: 0%

Unit 2

Habitat: NA

Water Level: 0%

Unit 3

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0%

Unit 4

Habitat: Native vegetation

Water Level: 0%

Unit 5

Habitat: Native vegetation.

Water Level: 0%

Unit 6

Habitat: NA

Water Level: 0%

Harris Brake WMA

Map | Weather Report

Upper GTR

Habitat: Good mast crop

Water Level: 0% coverage

Lower GTR

Habitat: Good mast crop.

Water Level: 0% coverage. The Harris Brake Lake valve was opened on Nov. 15 to begin supplemental flooding of both the Lower and Upper GTRs.

Holland Bottoms WMA

Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area

Habitat: Good mast crop

Water Level: Most of the low lying areas scattered on the WMA are completely dry.

Lake Pickthorne WRA (no hunting)

Habitat: Excellent crop of native vegetation and millet

Water Level: The East Unit is at 0%, and the West Unit 0% flooded.

Northwest Arkansas

Dardanelle WMA

Map | Weather Report

McKennon Bottoms (half-day hunting)

Habitat: Native moist soil

Water Level: 100% coverage

Potter’s Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit (half-day hunting)

Habitat: Japanese millet and native moist soil vegetation

Water Level: 100% coverage

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA

Map | Weather Report

Flooding of waterfowl impoundments on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA began on Oct. 27 and will continue as long as water levels in Point Remove Creek allow. Duck use on the WMA has been moderate.

Little Hole (Unit 1)