Arkansas Wildlife Waterfowl Report Archives • Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report

Jim Harris — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:46:15 +0000

Youth have their days, Saturday and Sunday, for hunting with a mentor around the state in the annual Youth Special Waterfowl Hunt. More than 100 youths applied for a WRICE hunt on private land for the weekend, the most interest shown by youths in the special permit program to date. Also, Sunday is the annual Veterans and Active-Duty Military Waterfowl Hunt.

Feb. 5, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Youth Line Up

WRICE Hunts Attract the Under 16 Crowd

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Private Lands Division was thrilled to see the number of youth applying last week for Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program hunts for the upcoming Youth Special Waterfowl Hunt weekend. Youth under 16 may hunt statewide from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset on Saturday and Sunday, and special permit hunts in wildlife management areas and on the leased WRICE fields were made available through the AGFC’s license app with signup last week through midnight Sunday.

“Throughout the history of the ARWRICE program, this year’s youth application numbers were the best we have ever seen,” David Graves, an AGFC Private Lands Habitat Division biologist and coordinator of the WRICE hunts, said. “In the past, we were lucky to get around 25 applications for the youth ARWRICE hunts. This year, we had 112 applicants put in for the draw! That is a major, major win in my books.”

Graves credited the outreach of AGFC staff throughout the agency in getting the attention of youths of the availability of the hunts, where youths may take a nonhunting mentor and other youth hunters, up to four per WRICE hunt, for both days.

“This is extremely important to us because these youth will be our future hunters and landowners that help us in managing the wildlife and fisheries of this state,” Graves said. “They will be our stakeholders. They are the future of hunting in Arkansas. Any positive thing we can do now will only help us shape them into the conservationists we need out there in the public working with us in the future.”

While the special permits in WMAs, such as the youth blind at Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms, the Conway George Tract blinds at Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA, or the Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area West units are already taken, there are plenty of other opportunities for youths to find waterfowl this weekend. The rest of Raft Creek Bottoms, Dagmar, Frog Bayou, Red Cut Slough Tract on Cypress Bayou and other WMAs will be wide open for hunting, as well as private land, under the usual regulations for waterfowl hunting. Youths may hunt for ducks, mergansers, coots and all geese. Mentors who accompany the youths must have a license and may not hunt but can call ducks and help retrieve them.

On Sunday, veterans and active-duty military will have their special hunt day throughout Arkansas. They may hunt anywhere except where permits were required, unless they are mentoring a youth that day who has a permit. Each veteran or active military hunter must have a license. When the sun sets Sunday, all regular waterfowl hunting in Arkansas will cease. On Monday, the Light Goose Conservation Order resumes and runs through April 25. During the Order, light geese such as snow, blue and Ross’s may be hunted with liberal regulations such as no daily bag or possession limit, no plugs for shotguns, the allowing of electronic calls, and so on. Hunting time during the Order is 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Water is back in force on the horizon with all the WMA’s managed for waterfowl seeing 100 percent coverage of hunting areas, with only a couple of exceptions. Glaise Creek is over its flood stage in Henry Gray Hurricane Bayou WMA, and the White River was on a rise that would push more water into Raft Creek Bottoms. Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA near Plumerville has complete coverage with overbank flooding of Point Remove Creek. Frog Bayou in western Arkansas has complete coverage. Check out the latest habitat conditions at the bottom of this report.

Ducks Up Over 2023-24 But Well Down Long-Term
Mallards in the Arkansas Delta region were more that 200,000 birds above the mallard estimate during the same time a year ago, but were 222,018 below the 2010-2025 long-term average for the late January annual aerial survey by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission waterfowl biologists. The survey team conducted its third and final aerial survey of the season Jan. 20-24, surveying the Delta, the Arkansas River Valley and southwest Arkansas. The biologists conducting transect-based surveys estimated 458,682 mallards and 793,742 total ducks in the Delta. Arkansas River Valley estimates were 19,639 total ducks and 7,356 mallards, while cruise survey counts in southwest Arkansas estimated 19,555 ducks, with 10,205 being mallards.

”The widespread habitat availability observed during the midwinter survey in early January had declined due to the lack of rain and overbank flooding,” Brett Leach, the AGFC’s waterfowl program coordinator, said. “This survey period was characterized by frozen conditions throughout many parts of the state, leading to some clumped distributions. The below-average estimates this survey season were somewhat expected given habitat conditions on the breeding grounds, which likely led to a smaller fall flight.”

Arctic goose population estimates in the Delta totaled 542,591 light (lesser snow and Ross’s) geese and 223,142 greater white-fronted geese (aka specklebellies).

Leach and AGFC biologists Tristan Bulice, Jackson “Buck” Jackson, Cayce Guy and Derek Furr conducted the final aerial waterfowl survey.

Leach said the total duck population estimate in the Delta was 404,481 birds below the long-term average and 41,449 birds above estimates from the same survey period last season. Mallards on average account for 55 percent of all ducks in the Delta during late-January surveys, and this year were 58 percent of the total duck estimate. Nearly 100,000 mallards were estimated in two survey zones: the Bayou Meto-Lower Arkansas River zone and the Lower White River zone. Those zones accounted for 42 percent of the Delta-wide mallard estimate and 33 percent of the total duck estimate.

Leach said, “Additionally, the Cache and Lower White-Bayou Des Arc survey zones had relatively high total duck estimates of 114,956 and 134,603, respectively.” He added that several key duck concentration areas showed up primarily in the central portion of the Delta.

River Valley estimates for mallards and total ducks were well below the long-term average, Leach reported. Mallards made up 38 percent of the total ducks in the ARV, a 23 percent decrease from the long-term average. A majority of those mallards were estimated in the East Dardanelle and West Dardanelle survey zones. Total duck estimates were also highest in these survey zones and accounted for 87 percent of the total River Valley duck estimate.

“Overall, the season seemed to start off well with a relatively good number of birds that showed up early, but December became pretty stale with little precipitation or any sort of weather events,” Leach said, summing up the regular season that concluded Jan. 31. “We certainly benefited from the precipitation in early January, which offered some good hunting opportunities with an increase in habitat availability and birds in the state. We really didn’t receive much rain the remainder of the season and habitat availability generally declined mid- to late January.

“The lower number of birds observed the last few years can be expected with breeding habitat conditions not as great, which can lead to a smaller fall flight.”

To view the full report with detailed maps, figures and comparative data over the years of the aerial survey, click HERE.

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 Type: Mast production
Water Level: Water level is over the top of the gauge; target level is 235.5 feet; 100% flooded.

South Woods GTR
Habitat Type: Mast production
Water Level: Gauge reading at 7-Mile is 237.35 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet; 100% flooded.

Simmons Field
Habitat: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% 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. Feb. 3 the Black River level at Corning was 11.15 feet and falling.

Upper Island GTR
Habitat Type: Mast crop within the GTRs
Water Level: Gauge is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 269.5 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Lower Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Gauge is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 268.0 feet; 100% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 268.25 feet msl. Target level is 266.9 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 267.75 feet msl. Target level is 266.3 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Winchester GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 264.7 feet msl. Target level is 263.7 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

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

Note: Following recent infrastructure renovation and habitat management activities, water-control structures are now set to flood both Thompson and South Oliver GTRs.

South Oliver GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 3.4 feet. 100% flooded. Water levels will continue to slowly rise. Be careful of deep areas within the natural slough.

Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 3.35 feet, 100% 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: Be aware of construction on new water-control structures as remaining pieces arrive; please park away from them. Structures may leak until construction is fully complete.

Adams Brake GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Water level is 240.65 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 feet. 100% flooded.

Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: 100% flooded

Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: 100% flooded

Phase III Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100% flooded

Charles Crisp Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Japanese millet
Water Level: 100% flooded

Ward Field Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% 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 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. Feb. 4, the reading was 217.02 feet msl.

Snowden WRA
Habitat Type: Mixed grasses
Water Level: 100% 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 100% coverage. Pool B is at 100%. Pool C is at 100%. Pool D is at 100%.

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.

Note: Operation of water control structures began Dec. 20. Structures closed were Dorsy Slough, Honey Lake screw gate on Glaise Creek, old Whirl structure and Green Tom Screw Gate at Bell.

North GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: The White River at Augusta as of Feb. 5 is at 32.14 feet and steady (flood stage is 26 feet). The water level at Glaise Creek is 195.46 feet msl and rising.

Former South GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: This area 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 Feb 5 was at 10.76 feet and steady.

Wiville Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% flooded

Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

The Conway George units are currently available for hunting by applying for online permits. Youth 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.

Water coverage is dependent on river level.

Mud Slough GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 50% coverage

Apple Lake WRA (no hunting)
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 60% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit A
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit B
Habitat Type: Natural slough area with beneficial native wetland plants
Water Level: 100% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit C
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 80%

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100%

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

Saturday and Sunday hunting in Raft Creek Bottoms WMA requires participation in the online draw a week before the following weekend’s hunt. There is no online draw on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and self-server permits are available at boat ramps. 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 all party members 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, Jan. 29, was 7.7 feet and falling. Online drawing for permits will be suspended on Saturdays and Sundays when the White River at Georgetown reaches 19 feet and reinstated when the river falls to 17.5 feet. The WMA will remain open to hunting during this time. Click the link for Water Gauge below.

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: 90%

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: 80%

Unit F (Cypert Tract – Duck Hole F38)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 50%

Unit G (Duck Hole G39)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 80%

Unit H (Duck Hole H40)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 70%

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: 80%

Central Arkansas

Bell Slough WMA
Map | Weather Report

Bell Slough GTR

The Bell Slough GTR is now at full pool following recent heavy rainfall.
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood/cypress-tupelo
Water Level: 100%

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: 100%

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir|
Map | Weather Report

Following recent heavy rainfall, water levels have increased in both Pierce and Dix creeks but remain below normal due to ongoing renovation work to Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir.

Cypress Bayou WMA

Map| Weather Report

Open Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Mast crop
Water Level: 100% 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 self-serve 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.

Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 70%

Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 90%

Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 80%

Unit 4
Habitat Type: Native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

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: 25% coverage. The Harris Brake Lake valve was opened 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 full.

Lake Pickthorne WRA (no hunting)
Habitat Type: Native vegetation and millet
Water Level: East Unit is 100% flooded and the West Unit is 100% flooded.

Northwest Arkansas

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

All waterfowl impoundments on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA are now well above full pool due to overbank flooding of Point Remove Creek following recent heavy rainfall.

Little Hole (Unit 1)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% flooded

Willow Island (Unit 2)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Red Gate (Unit 3)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 100%

Cedar Ridge (Unit 6)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 7a
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 7b
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100%

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

8a
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

8b
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

8c
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 9
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 100%

Controversy Corner (Unit 10)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 100%

Remmel Marsh (Unit 11)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Mud Pond (Unit 12)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

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

13a
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation and Japanese millet
Water Level: 100%

13b
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

13c
Habitat Type: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100%

Teeny Pond (Unit 14)
Habitat Type: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100%

Salt Lick (Unit 15)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Bobby’s Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Race Track (Unit 17)
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

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: 100%

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: 100%

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: 100%

Unit 11
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 12
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 40%

Unit 13
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 14
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

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: 100%

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: 100% flooded, flooding 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

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: 100%

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.
Water Level: 100%, 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.
Water Level: 100%, 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: 100%

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: 100%, 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: 100%, 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: 50%, 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: 100%, flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.

Southwest Arkansas

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: 100% coverage

GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 100%

Little Grassy
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Millwood Lake
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Habitat Type: Natural vegetation
Water Level: Millwood is at 259.00 feet msl as of Jan. 28.

Ozan WMA
Map | Weather Report

Flooding of all units is rainfall dependent.

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

Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 75%

Unit 3
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 75%

Unit 4
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 75%

Unit 5
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 75%

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: 100%

Southeast Arkansas

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

Water Level: 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: Water levels are normal for this time of year.

Pigeon Creek WRA
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: Waterfowl rest area is fully flooded.

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

Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat on East Unit and marsh habitat on West Unit.
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 to promote red oak regeneration and relieve stress on many trees, such as mature red oaks, that are showing signs of water stress. 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: See Gauge Link (Upper Vallier Headwater) for updated info.

Lower Vallier GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Lower Vallier Headwater) for updated info.

Government Cypress GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Government Cypress Headwater) for updated info.

Buckingham Flats GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: Area is at normal floodpool. See Gauge Link (Buckingham Flats Headwater) for updated info.

Temple Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: Area is at normal floodpool. See Gauge Link (Temple Island Headwater) for updated info.

Canon Brake
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood
Water Level: Area is at normal floodpool. See Gauge Link (Canon Brake Headwater) for updated info.

Halowell WRA
Habitat Type: Moist-soil habitat
Unit 1
Water Level: 95% coverage.

Unit 2
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 3
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 4
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 5
Water Level: 100% coverage

Wrape Plantation WRA (no hunting)

Habitat Type: Moist-soil habitat

Unit 1
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 2A
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 2B

Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 3
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 4
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 5
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 6
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 7
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 8
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 9
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 10
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 11
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 12
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 13
Water Level: 100% coverage

Seven Devils WMA
Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwood habitat
Water Level: Area is at normal level for this time of year.

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.

The post Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Waterfowl Report

Jim Harris — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 21:09:58 +0000

Youth hunters will have two days next weekend, Feb. 8-9, to hunt statewide for ducks, including on private land, WMAs and on the nearly 70 available WRICE program fields available by online draw through the AGFC. They’ll need to register for permit hunts this week, however, from 3 p.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday at agfc.com. Click on the “Special Waterfowl Permit Hunts” tag up top. Meanwhile, the regular 60-day waterfowl season closes Friday, Jan. 31, at sunset.

Jan. 22, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Wrapping It Up

WRICE Hunts Available for Youths Feb. 8-9

As slow as things were for waterfowl hunters in early December, it seemed like we might never get to the end — and yet, here we are with the season ending Friday (Jan. 31). Hunting is allowed all day in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s WMA, but some WMAs (Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms, the Red Cut Slough tract of Cypress Bayou, and designated permit spots in Frog Bayou) will be online permit-only hunting on Friday. Note that Frog Bayou in west Arkansas has non-permit areas to hunt.

The 60-day season concludes at sunset, which in Little Rock will be 5:38 p.m. (Allow a minute less for every 9 miles east of Little Rock; add a minute for every 9 miles west.)

Youths under 16 still have two hunting days left with the annual Youth Special Waterfowl Hunts, now scheduled for back-to-back days Feb. 8-9 statewide. Also, the Special Veterans and Active-Duty Military Waterfowl Hunt is one day this season and scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 9. Veterans and active military can accompany a youth as their mentor or fellow hunter on that day.

Youths can acquire a Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement Program field hunt for the Feb. 8-9 weekend, but they’ll need to apply for those THIS WEEK between 3 p.m. Thursday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. They will need to have a Customer ID number through the AGFC’s licensing system. They’ll be able to apply for one of more than five dozen available WRICE fields, allowing them their own private hunt for two days with a nonhunting mentor (or a veteran or active-duty military hunter on Sunday accompanying them) up to a party of four. All hunters on Saturday, Feb. 8, would need to be youths under 16.

Also, youth permit blinds at Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMAs Conway George Tract and Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA West Unit can be applied for this week as well. All WMAs will be open to youth hunting beyond those online permit blinds on Feb. 8-9 all day (the permits at Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, unlike WRICE, will only be for either Saturday or Sunday, not both). Veterans and active-duty military also may hunt all WMAs all day Sunday, Feb. 9.

Visit the AGFC’s special permits page (CLICK HERE) for more information or to apply for a WRICE program permit for Feb. 8-9 or a special WMA permit for either Feb. 8 or Feb. 9. The WRICE section also will show which fields have been most requested by hunters during the regular season. Youths can also see the more popular WMA online permit selections during the regular season by clicking this link.

Despite a lack of rainfall lately and a drop in the rivers and streams around the state, there is still near to total water coverage on all of the AGFC’s WMAs managed for waterfowl. See the full state habitat report below.

The Word Up North
Missouri’s 60-day waterfowl season is divided among three sections of the state — north, middle and south — and the southern region closes like Arkansas’s season on Jan. 31. In the Missouri Department of Conservation’s most recent statewide surveys of Conservation Area wetlands and National Wildlife Refuges, published a week ago, it was reported that total duck numbers for the state were past the peak, although some areas such as Grand Pass were still holding peak numbers of ducks. The MDC did say that duck numbers were well above both the long-term and short-term averages in January, with mallards comprising 80 percent of the ducks in the state.

The statewide count for the week of Jan. 20 was 256,289 ducks, 136,096 snow geese, 7,011 white-fronted geese and 2,092 Canada geese. The duck estimate was 32.3 percent greater than the previous five-year average of 193,699 total ducks and 6.8 percent greater than the previous 20-year average of 240,030 ducks. The estimate of 225,670 mallards was 63.9 percent greater than the previous five-year estimate of 137,708 mallards and 25.9 percent greater than the 20-year estimate of 179,246 mallards.

This is in contrast to Arkansas’s Annual Midwinter Survey, a transect-based aerial estimate, which showed 452,017 mallards in the Delta region of the state the week of Jan. 6-14 and 924,545 total ducks. There were 615,756 lesser geese (snows, blues, Ross’s) and 189,166 greater white-fronted geese estimated in Arkansas’s Delta region.

AGFC waterfowl biologists flew the state in recent days for the third and final state survey of the season. Those results were still being calculated at press time for this week’s Waterfowl Report.

All published AGFC aerial surveys are available by clicking here.

And Up and Down Season
Ducks Unlimited freelance writer Jay Anglin reported on Wednesday that the waterfowl season for the Great Lakes region was characterized by “some ups and a lot of downs for many hunters.”

Game bird specialists and biologists from several states termed their seasons average to below average, such as in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Minnesota’s Nate Huck told Anglin that for most of the season they saw a trickle migration throughout. Some areas had good numbers while others saw few birds, with the late cold front helping many hunters close the season on a good note. Wisconsin’s Taylor Finger echoed that, telling Anglin that thanks to the late cold, the hunting up to the end of the season there became excellent, but overall the season was “pretty average” across the state.

Meanwhile, DU’s report from the Central Flyway last week reported observations that were expected to be down from average annual numbers.

The (Goose) Hunting Continues
While duck, merganser, coot and specklebelly (greater white-fronted geese) seasons will end on Friday (Jan. 31), the hunting of lesser geese, like snow and blue geese and Ross’s geese, will continue with more liberal regulations through the Light Goose Conservation Order beginning Saturday, Feb. 1.

There is no bag or possession limit on snows, blues and Ross’s geese during the Order. There are no shell restrictions for guns (no plugs are required to limit shotguns to 3 shots maximum) and electronic calls are allowed. Hunters are not required to carry a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp or HIP registration, but they must have a valid hunting license from any state (youths 15 and younger do not need a license). Shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

The Order will continue through Friday, Feb. 7, pause for the Youth Special Waterfowl Hunt on Feb. 8-9 (youths may hunt geese are regular-season limits and other regular-season restrictions during the weekend), and then will resume on Monday, Feb. 10, and continue through April 25.

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

Northeast Arkansas

Big Lake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

North Woods GTR
Habitat Type: Mast production
Water Level: Gauge reading at Bo Dock is 237.0 feet msl; target level is 235.5 feet; 100% flooded.

South Woods GTR
Habitat Type: Mast production
Water Level: Gauge reading at 7-Mile is 235.75 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet; 100% flooded.

Simmons Field
Habitat: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% 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. Jan. 27 the Black River level at Corning was 6.22 feet and rising.

Upper Island GTR
Habitat Type: Mast crop within the GTRs
Water Level: Current level is 269.8 feet msl.Target level is 269.5 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Lower Island GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 268.45 feet msl. Target level is 268.0 feet; 100% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 267.25 feet msl. Target level is 266.9 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 266.75 feet msl. Target level is 266.3 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Winchester GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current level is 263.45 feet msl. Target level is 263.7 feet msl; 90% flooded.

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

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

Note: Following recent infrastructure renovation and habitat management activities, water-control structures are now set to flood both Thompson and South Oliver GTRs.

South Oliver GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 1.6 feet. 100% flooded. Water levels will continue to slowly rise. Be careful of deep areas within the natural slough.

Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Current gauge reading is 0.8 feet, 80% 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

NOTE: Be aware of construction on new water-control structures as remaining pieces arrive; please park away from them. Structures may leak until construction is fully complete.

Adams Brake GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: Water level is 239.9 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 feet. 100% flooded.

Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: 100% flooded

Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland hardwoods
Water Level: 100% flooded

Phase III Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Japanese millet and native moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 80% flooded

Charles Crisp Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Japanese millet
Water Level: 100% flooded

Ward Field Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native moist-soil vegetation
Water Level: 100% 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

Snowden WRA
Habitat Type: Mixed grasses
Water Level: 50% 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 40% coverage. Pool B is at 60%. Pool C is at 60%. Pool D is at 80%.

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.

Note: Operation of water control structures began Dec. 20. Structures closed were Dorsy Slough, Honey Lake screw gate on Glaise Creek, old Whirl structure and Green Tom Screw Gate at Bell.

North GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: The White River at Augusta as of Jan. 29 is at 19.74 feet and steady (flood stage is 26 feet). The water level at Glaise Creek is 192.45 feet msl and falling.

Former South GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: This area 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 Jan. 29 was at 5.75 feet and steady.

Wiville Moist-soil Unit
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% flooded

Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report

Water coverage is dependent on river level.

Mud Slough GTR
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 50% coverage

Apple Lake WRA (no hunting)
Habitat Type: Bottomland timber
Water Level: 60% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit A
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit B
Habitat Type: Natural slough area with beneficial native wetland plants
Water Level: 100% coverage

Conway George Waterfowl Unit C
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100% coverage

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 100%

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat Type: Native vegetation
Water Level: 40%