Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report

Proud pintails and many more ducks take a break in the sanctuary of an AGFC waterfowl rest area. Photo by Mike Wintroath.

Nov. 27, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

• Southwest Arkansas
• Central Arkansas
• East-Central Arkansas
• Northwest Arkansas
• Northeast Arkansas
• Southeast 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 Type: Mast production
Water Level: Gauge reading at BoDoc is 230.2 feet msl; target level is 235.5 feet; 0% flooded. 

South Woods GTR
Habitat Type: Mast production
Water Level: Gauge reading at 7-Mile is 229.2 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet; 0% flooded. Some limited water is available within the barrow pits. 

Simmons Field
Habitat: Native vegetation
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. 18, the Black River level at Corning was 9.72 feet and holding.

Upper Island GTR
Habitat Type: Mast crop within the GTRs
Water Level: Current level is 270.3 feet msl.Target level is 269.5 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Lower Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 269.2 feet msl. Target level is 268.0 feet; 100% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland jardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 267.85 feet msl. Target level is 266.9 feet; 100% flooded.

Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 267.5 feet msl. Target level is 266.3 feet; 100% flooded.

Winchester GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 264.55 feet msl. Target level is 263.7 feet; 100% 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 Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 0.0 feet. 0% flooded. Some limited water available within the natural slough on the north end.

Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 0.0 feet, 0% flooded. 

Lake Hogue WRA
Habitat Type: Primarily deep open water
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 Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Water level is 0.0 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 feet. 0% flooded.

Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: 0% flooded

Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: 0% flooded

Phase III Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist soil vegetation.
Water Level: 0% flooded

Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: Japanese millet
Water Level: 0% flooded

Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0% flooded

River Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% flooded

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods 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 212.64 feet msl.

Snowden WRA
Habitat Type: Mixed grasses
Water Level: 0% flooded

Payneway WRA
Habitat Type: A, B, C and D pools have mixed smartweed and barnyard grasses. Moderate hardwoods 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%.

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 Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: The White River at Augusta as of Nov. 27 is at 23.63 feet and falling (flood stage is 26 feet). The water level at Glaise Creek is at 187.40 feet msl and falling.

South Unit
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: The South Unit now has no structures to close; water will flow freely throughout the 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 Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: Cache River at Patterson was at 4.19 feet and falling on Nov. 27.

Wiville Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 20% 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 Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 20% coverage

Apple Lake WRA (no hunting)
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 20% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit A
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 80% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit B
Habitat Type: Natural slough area with beneficial native wetland plants
Water Level: 75% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit C
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 0% coverage

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 0% 

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 30% 

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 80%

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Saturday and Sunday 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 are designated holes for the Saturday/Sunday online permit hunt. Hunters will be assigned a hole, are allowed a hunting party of four total members, and must hunt within 150 yards of their designated hole marker (marked on maps at kiosks and physical signs at each hole).

On Friday, Nov. 8, the White River at Georgetown rose above 14 feet sending water over the rock weir and into the WMA, and the river crested at 16.57 feet. The White river also backed into the WMA flowing into the lower water control structures. Once water began flowing out on Nov. 18, boards were put in the water control structures to hold this water. Many of the units are at or near full pool. The White River gauge at Georgetown on Wednesday, Nov. 27, was 11.09 feet and falling.

As of Wednesday, Nov. 27, Unit B has lost some water due to soaking into the soil and evaporation. Pumping was started to slowly flood Unit B until it is full. 

Unit A (Duck Holes A1 – A7)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 90% coverage

Unit B (Duck Holes B8 – B26)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 70%

Unit C (Duck Holes C27 – C34)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation and millet
Water Level: 100%

Unit D (Cypert Tract – Duck Holes D35 – D36)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit E (Cypert Tract – Duck Hole E37)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 10%

Unit F (Cypert Tract – Duck Hole F38)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit G (Duck Hole G39)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 20%

Unit H (Duck Hole H40)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 20%

Mobility-Impaired Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 90%

Youth Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Magellan Tract Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Bell Slough WMA
Map | Weather Report

Bell Slough GTR
Flooding of the Bell Slough GTR is rainfall dependent. Gates were lowered in the GTR water control structure Nov. 15.
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood/cypress-tupelo
Water Level: 0%

Palarm Creek WRA
West Unit
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

East Unit
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0%

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
Map | Weather Report

Due to renovation work to Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir, both Pierce and Dix creeks remain dry.

Cypress Bayou WMA
Map| Weather Report

Open Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 0% coverage

Red Cut Slough Tract (permit hunting)

Saturday and Sunday hunting in Cypress Bayou WMA Red Cut Slough requires participation in 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 parking lot access. Permits ARE required (via online application) on weekends. Visit agfc.com to apply for the online draw. There are designated units for the Saturday/Sunday online permit hunt. Hunters will be assigned a unit and may hunt anywhere within that unit.

Flooding has been limited by the low level of Cypress Bayou to pump from. As of Nov. 27, Unit 5 and 6 have huntable water.

Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%

Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%

Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%

Unit 4
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%

Unit 5
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit 6
Habitat Type: Open water reservoir.
Water Level: 100%

Harris Brake WMA
Map | Weather Report

Upper GTR
Habitat Type: Good mast crop
Water Level: 100% coverage 

Lower GTR
Habitat Type: Good mast crop
Water Level: 5% coverage. The Harris Brake Lake valve was opened on Nov. 15 to begin supplemental flooding of the Upper GTR. Damage to one of the Lower GTRs water control structures is allowing water to drain from the Lower GTR and can’t currently be fixed. Sloughs and ditches within the Lower GTR unit will continue to hold water. However, the majority of the Lower GTR unit will stay drained due to the water control structure damage.

Holland Bottoms WMA
Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Mast crop
Water Level: Low lying depressions and sloughs on the WMA are mostly dry.

Lake Pickthorne WRA (no hunting)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation and millet
Water Level: East Unit is 0% flooded and the West Unit is 85% flooded.

Dardanelle WMA
Map | Weather Report

McKennon Bottoms (half-day hunting)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 50% coverage

Potter’s Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit (half-day hunting)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA
Map | Weather Report

Staged flooding of waterfowl impoundments began on Nov. 7, 2024, and will continue as water levels in Point Remove Creek allow. 

Little Hole (Unit 1)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 10% flooded

Willow Island (Unit 2)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 70%

Red Gate (Unit 3)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 0%

Cedar Ridge (Unit 6)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 70%

Unit 7a
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 50%

Unit 7b
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0%

Duck Trap (Units 8a, 8b and 8c)

8a
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 50%

8b
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 80%

8c
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Unit 9
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 60%

Controversy Corner (Unit 10)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 60%

Remmel Marsh (Unit 11)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 60%

Mud Pond (Unit 12)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 50%

Turkey Pond (Units 13a, 13b and 13c)

13a
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 0%

13b
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

13c
Habitat Type: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0%

Teeny Pond (Unit 14)
Habitat Type: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 0%

Salt Lick (Unit 15)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Bobby’s Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 40%

Race Track (Unit 17)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 60%

Frog Bayou WMA
Map | Weather Report

*Note: Construction is ongoing.

Waterfowl rest areas west of Sharp Chapel Road and north of Blacklands Road are closed to all access from Nov. 1-Feb. 15.

Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation; unit is rainfall dependent.
Water Level: 100% 

Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 90%, currently pumping.

Unit 4
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 5
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% 

Unit 6
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 10%, currently pumping.

Unit 7 (Draw Permit Required)
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 10%, currently pumping.

Unit 9 (Draw Permit Required)
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 10
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 90% 

Unit 11
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 90% 

Unit 12
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 25% 

Unit 13
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 25% 

Unit 14
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 75%

Unit 18
Habitat Type: No vegetation due to construction
Water Level: 0%

Unit 19
Habitat Type: No vegetation due to construction
Water Level: 0%

Galla Creek WMA
Map | Weather Report

Galla Creek
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 15%

Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA
Map | Weather Report

Nimrod GTR
Habitat Type: This area is dominated by white oak tree species with some red oak tree species on the higher elevation sites. There are some open areas with native bottomland vegetation located throughout the forest. The water control structures were closed on Nov. 15.
Water Level: 1% flooded, flooding of the area is rainfall dependent.

Ozark Lake WMA/Dyer Lake Water Unit
Weather Report

Dyer Lake Cells

Unit 1 Dyer main cell
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage for both units

Unit 2 Dyer Road Cell
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 3 South Cell (rainfall dependent)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 4 West Cell (rainfall dependent)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Petit Jean River WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Sorehead Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: This area is made up of mostly native bottomland vegetation fields and some forested areas that contain both red and white oak tree species.
Water Level: 0% 

Blacklands Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: This area is made up of mostly native bottomland vegetation fields and some forested areas that contain both red and white oak tree species. Due to ongoing bottomland area renovation work, most of the open areas in the central and western sides are still dirt with some late millet growth that is only a few inches tall. The east side of this unit does contain native bottomland vegetation. The plan is to start pumping again on Dec. 2.
Water Level: 40%, pumping of this area is dictated by river levels.

Slaty Crossing Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat Type: Due to ongoing bottomland area renovation work, most of the open areas is still dirt with some late millet growth that is only a few inches tall. The plan is to start pumping on Dec. 2.
Water Level: 0%, pumping of this area is dictated by river levels.

Blacklands Duck Area
Habitat Type: This area is a mix of native bottomland vegetation fields and forested areas that contain both red and white oak tree species.
Water Level: 0%

Pullen Pond Marsh
Habitat Type: This area is dominated by open areas with native bottomland vegetation. There are some forested areas that will flood when the area is at full pool. The eastern part of this unit is currently dirt due to ongoing bottomland renovation work. The water control structures were closed on Nov. 18.
Water Level: 3%, flooding of the area is rainfall dependent.

Pond Creek GTR
Habitat Type: This area is dominated by white oak tree species with some open bottomland areas that contain native vegetation. The water control structures were closed on Nov. 15.
Water Level: 0%, flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.

Slaty GTR
Habitat Type: This area is dominated by red oak tree species with some open bottomland areas that contain native vegetation. The water control structures were closed on Nov. 15.
Water Level: 0%, flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.

Santa Fe GTR
Habitat Type: This area is a mix of both red oak and white oak tree species with some open bottomland areas that contain native vegetation. The water control structures were closed on Nov. 15.
Water Level: 2%, flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.

Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc WMA
Map | Weather Report

Bois d’Arc Lake WRA
Habitat Type: Closed to hunting
Water Level: Normal

Red Slough WRA
Habitat Type: Closed to hunting
Water Level: 0% coverage

GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 0%

Little Grassy
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 10%

Millwood Lake
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Habitat Type: Natural vegetation
Water Level: Millwood is at 259.36 feet msl as of Nov. 26.

Ozan WMA
Map | Weather Report

Flooding of all units is rainfall dependent.

Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 25%

Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Unit 4
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Unit 5
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 0%

Sulphur River WMA
Map | Weather Report

Mercer Bayou
Habitat Type: Natural vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Henry Moore WRA
Habitat Type: Closed to hunting
Water Level: 50%

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Water Level: No water. Water is dependent on Ouachita River stages. See gauge link above. 

Cut-Off Creek WMA
Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water

Pigeon Creek WRA
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: Pumping has not begun.

Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: 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 2024-25 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 Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting. See Gauge Link (Upper Vallier Headwater) for updated info.

Lower Vallier GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting. See Gauge Link (Lower Vallier Headwater) for updated info. 

Government Cypress GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting. See Gauge Link (Government Cypress Headwater) for updated info.

Buckingham Flats GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting. See Gauge Link (Buckingham Flats Headwater) for updated info.

Temple Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting. See Gauge Link (Temple Island Headwater) for updated info. 

Canon Brake
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood
Water Level: No water available for hunting. See Gauge Link (Canon Brake Headwater) for updated info. 

Halowell WRA
Habitat Type: Moist soil
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units

Wrape Plantation WRA
Habitat Type: Moist soil
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units

Seven Devils WMA
Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting

Trusten Holder WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: Flooding is river dependent. Click on the Water Gauge link above for current Arkansas River levels.