Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report

The wood duck, prominent throughout Arkansas, is one of nature’s gorgeous creatures in full plumage and is easy to spot in flight with its distinctive, shrill whistle. Photo by Mike Wintroath.

Dec. 4, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Quiet Time for Waterfowlers

Permit Application Period Starts Thursday

It’s all quiet on the waterfowl front this week in terms of hunting — Arkansas is in the first of two splits in its 60-day season, with the second segment of hunting picking up Tuesday, Dec. 10, and running through Dec. 23. However, hunters who seek the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s permits for waterfowl hunting need to keep those in mind for their following weekend plans, as the application period for both the WMA special permit hunts and the Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement Program (or WRICE) runs this Thursday beginning at 3 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Successful applicants should learn their status Monday.

Click HERE for more information and links for permit hunting.

The AGFC’s waterfowl biologists will get an idea of the number of ducks and other waterfowl on the landscape the week of Dec. 9-13 with their annual December Aerial Surveys of the Delta region, the Arkansas River Valley and southwestern Arkansas. Once the data is compiled, Brett Leach, the AGFC’s waterfowl program coordinator, will issue an overall report. Two flights are scheduled for January, including the annual Midwinter Aerial Survey early in the month.

Anecdotal reports from staff observations and from hunters indicate greater white-front geese were observed in large numbers near the St. Francis River in the vicinity of Interstate 40 over the weekend, while specklebelly numbers and harvest remained good in Arkansas County during the first segment of the 60-day hunting season. Ducks were spotted in groups of 10-50 in flooded areas of northeast Arkansas near the Missouri state line on Sunday. Further into Arkansas, there was notably less flooded fields and sheetwater, and fewer birds noted. The central and northern portions of Missouri were hit by several inches of snow and temperature dropping into the teens on Saturday, which may have pushed some waterfowl south.

Complete habitat and water coverage figures from the state’s WMAs follow this report.

Work in the GTRs

Meanwhile, there’s lots going on around the landscape in areas managed for waterfowl. 

Flooding of the Big Lake WMA in northeast Arkansas has been delayed to ensure that site conditions are optimum for the AGFC to obtain a high-resolution LiDAR survey of the area. Light Detection and Ranging is a remote sensing technology that uses a laser to measure distances and create 3D models of the Earth’s surface. Collection of high-quality LiDAR data is an important first step in the greentree renovation process and will provide the foundation for hydrologic modeling, according to AGFC Wildlife Management biologists.

Following recent hard freezes and gusty winds, leaf drop on trees in the area should be sufficient to fly LiDAR the week of Dec. 9. Leaves on trees would otherwise block much of the sensing technology of the surface. Water-control structures will be operated at Big Lake WMA as soon as the data is collected.

More work has been going on at other WMAs in that region. At Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA, work on a new system for managing water is completed and flooding is expected to begin on Monday, Dec. 16, to promote existing red oak regeneration following recent habitat management work.

The water-control structure at Lake Charles was opened Monday, Dec. 2, allowing flow into Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA. Extensive work is underway with the series of water-control structures in the WMA and construction will continue as remaining pieces arrive. Hunters are urged to note that structures may leak until work is completed.  Please park away from the new structures to allow the contractor a safe work environment. 

In east-central Arkansas, the recently dedicated water-control structure on Glaise Creek at Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA could be put into operation in or around Dec. 20, according to Jason “Buck” Jackson, the AGFC’s state wetlands coordinator. He said that the staff is awaiting the “last leg” of the electrical work to be completed on the structure to have operational capacity, and the staff has been evaluating the status of red oak regeneration on the area. This week, the water level at Glaise Creek is below 187 feet msl, the minimum for giving a reading at Glaise Creek.

Stay Alert for Avian Flu

The AGFC is asking waterfowl hunters and wildlife watchers heading to the field to keep an eye out for any sick or dead birds that may be the result of avian influenza. The risk of humans contracting the disease remains low, but hunters can 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 through www.agfc.com/avianflu with information about the species, number of birds affected and location.

According to Dr. Jenn Ballard, AGFC state wildlife veterinarian, this is the third year since Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in the U.S. and it’s likely that periodic outbreaks will continue to occur.

“We’re getting reports consistent with cases in previous years and confirmation testing is underway,” Ballard said. “The reports so far this year have been almost exclusively snow geese with most being juveniles.”

According to Ballard, various low pathogenicity strains of influenza always circulate in wild bird populations, but HPAI has much more potential to spread and has caused billions of dollars of damage to domestic poultry production in Asia, Europe and North America.

Waterfowl hunters may remember finding dead and dying snow geese in 2022, particularly at the beginning of the waterfowl season in Arkansas rice fields.

“Mortality in 2022 was primarily found in those snow goose populations, but a few other duck species and raptors were affected as well,” Ballard said. “Eagles and hawks that may have preyed upon sick or dying geese were confirmed with the HPAI pathogen.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk for humans to contract HPAI is still low, but people who find birds that are obviously sick should report them to the AGFC and refrain from handling them. The pathogen has also been found to affect dairy cattle, so anyone who works around any poultry or livestock should use extreme caution and practice 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.
• Avoid contact between poultry and livestock and wild birds or their parts. After handling waterfowl, change or clean clothing, shoes and other equipment before coming into contact with domestic animals and livestock, including commercial production facilities and backyard flocks.

More information on avian influenza is available at USDA APHIS’s website.

• 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.

NOTE: A delay in flooding this area is to ensure that site conditions are optimum to obtain a high-resolution LiDAR survey of the area. Following recent hard freezes and storms, leaf drop should be sufficient to fly LiDAR the week of Dec. 9. Water-control structures will be operated as soon as LiDAR data are collected. Collection of LiDAR data is an important first step in the GTR renovation process and will provide the foundation for hydrologic modeling.  

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: 10% 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 8 a.m. Dec. 3, the Black River level at Corning was 9.57 feet and falling.

Upper Island GTR
Habitat Type: Mast crop within the GTRs
Water Level: Current level is 270.35 feet msl. Target level is 269.5 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Lower Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 269.25 feet msl. Target level is 268.0 feet; 100% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR\
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 267.95 feet msl. Target level is 266.9 feet; 100% flooded.

Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 267.55 feet msl. Target level is 266.3 feet; 100% flooded.

Winchester GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 264.6 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.

Note: Flooding will begin Dec. 16 to promote red oak regeneration following recent habitat management activities.

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.

NOTE: The structure at Lake Charles was opened on Dec. 2. Be aware the construction on new water-control structures will continue as the remaining pieces arrive. Structures may leak until construction is fully complete.   

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: 10% 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: 25% 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. As of 8 a.m. Dec. 3, the reading was 212.04 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 GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: The White River at Augusta as of Dec. 3 is at 24.19 feet and stable (flood stage is 26 feet). The water level at Glaise Creek is below 187 feet msl and will not show readings until water levels rise above 187 feet msl. Staff are evaluating the status of red oak regeneration and the opportunity to operate the new water-control structure, which could begin Dec. 20. 

South GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: The South GTR 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 on Dec. 3 was at 3.35 feet and falling.

Wiville Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 80% 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: 10% 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: 90% 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: 50% coverage

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

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 70% 

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).

The White River gauge at Georgetown on Wednesday, Dec. 4, was 10.90 feet and holding.

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: 90%

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: 20%

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: 100%

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

Magellan Tract Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 20%

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: 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 from which to pump. Only units 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: Mast crop
Water Level: 100% coverage 

Lower GTR
Habitat Type: 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:100% 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: 30%

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: 80%

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: 80%

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: 70%

Remmel Marsh (Unit 11)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 75%

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: 40%

Bobby’s Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 70%

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: 60%, currently pumping.

Unit 7 (Draw Permit Required)
Habitat Type: Native moist soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% 

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: 25%

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: 75% 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: 75% 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: 10% coverage

GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 0%

Little Grassy
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 25%

Millwood Lake
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Habitat Type: Natural vegetation
Water Level: Millwood is at 259.00 feet msl as of Dec 3.

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 as water is available

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: Pumping as water is available, but there is no measurable water at the water gauge as of Dec. 4. See Gauge Link (Buckingham Flats Headwater) for updated info.

Temple Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: No water available for hunting. Water remains too low for pumping as of Dec. 4. 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.