Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists report that duck numbers appeared to be down and that ducks were moving out. Large concentrations of pintails, shovelers and green-winged teal observed in last week's AGFC late January aerial survey indicated that ducks were beginning to move north.
The regular 60-day season closes at sunset Sunday. A special hunt for youth, veterans and active military statewide will take place Feb. 6. Also, the Light Goose Conservation Order takes effect Monday and runs through April 25, except for a one-day suspension Feb. 6. Special regulations allow for liberal hunting of lesser snows and Ross's geese, including no daily bag limit and the allowed use of electronic calling devices, among other rules that would normally be prohibited during regular waterfowl season.
The AGFC's aerial survey conducted Jan. 17-20 by four waterfowl observers showed slightly more overall duck numbers and also for mallards from the midwinter survey that was conducted Jan. 4-7. The last of three surveys of the year showed an estimate of 1.2 million ducks and 527,920 mallards in Arkansas' Delta region, up from 1.078 million total ducks and 458,000 mallards in the survey from two weeks earlier. The mallard numbers were about 200,000 birds below the 2010-2021 long-term average, but were in line with late January mallard counts in recent years. The total duck population was slightly below the long-term average.
Southwest Arkansas had just slightly less than 6,000 mallards estimated, but total duck numbers 9,100 in the midwinter survey to more than 49,000. Typically around this year, Millwood Lake sees a large number of gadwalls and other non-mallards.
In the Delta, the Lower White survey zone had the highest mallard count by a substantial margin, while the Lower St. Francis and Bayou Meto-Lower Arkansas survey zones also had fair numbers of mallards. Mallard counts were relatively lower in all other survey zones. Duck distribution maps in the Delta showed several hotspots for all ducks but only a few noticeable concentrations of mallards.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
BIG LAKE WMA
North Woods GTR Mast production is good. The Bo Dock gauge currently reads 236.6. Target level is 235.7 with 100% flooded.
South Woods GTR Mast production is fair. The 7-mile gauge is currently at 235.8 feet. Target level is 234.5 feet with 100% flooded.
Simmons Field A good amount of millet and sedge is present. Seed production is very good in the North Unit, Middle and South fields. North field contains 5 acres of millet. 100% flooded.
DAVE DONALDSON BLACK RIVER WMA
Upper Island GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 269.65. Target level is 269.5. 100% flooded.
Lower Island GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 268.8. Target level is 268.5. 100% flooded.
Upper Reyno GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 267.4. Target level is 266.9. 100% flooded.
Lower Reyno GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 266.4. Target level is 266.3. 100% flooded.
Winchester GTR Moderate mast crop. Target level is 263.5.
EARL BUSS BAYOU DEVIEW WMA
South Oliver GTR Mast production has been good. The area is 50% flooded with a current gauge reading of 1.65 foot. Water is rising in the GTR.
Thompson Tract GTR Mast production has been good. The area is 100% flooded with a current gauge reading of 1.35 feet.
Lake Hogue WRA Primarily deep open water habitat. Normal pool level.
SHIREY BAY RAINEY BRAKE WMA
Adam Brake GTR Good mast crop. Water level is 240.1. 100% flooded.
Rainey Brake GTR Good mast crop. 100% flooded.
Eagle Pond GTR Good mast crop. 100% flooded.
Phase III Moist-Soil Unit Good wetland-type vegetation. 95% flooded.
Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit Good wetland-type vegetation. 100% flooded.
Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit Good wetland-type vegetation. 100% flooded.
River Field Moist-Soil Unit Good wetland-type vegetation. 100% flooded.
ST. FRANCIS SUNKEN LANDS WMA
Hunt Area Mast production is good. Water levels in the huntable areas are dependent on the St. Francis River. The water level at Oak Donnick is 212. The level for huntable timber is 212.
Snowden WRA Mixed grasses are present. 10% flooded.
Payneway WRA Pools A,B, C, and D have mixed smartweed and barnyard grasses, Moderate mast in Pools A,B, and C. Pool A is at 0%. Pool B is at 5%. Pool C is at 5% and Pool D is at 20%.
EAST CENTRAL ARKANSAS
HENRY GRAY HURRICANE LAKE WMA
North GTR Good mast crop. Glaise Creek gauge at 192.63. Full pool.
South GTR Fair mast crop. Glaise Creek gauge at 192.63. Full pool.
REX HANCOCK BLACK SWAMP WMA
Gregory GTR Good mast crop. 65 percent flooded.
Wyeville Unit Good stand of millet and native vegetation. 100% coverage.
SHEFFIELD NELSON DAGMAR WMA
Mud Slough GTR Good mast crop. 35% flooded.
Apple Lake WRA Good mast crop. 70% flooded.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit A Good millet and native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit B Natural slough area with beneficial wetland plants. 100% flooded.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit C Good stand of millet and native vegetation. 100% flooded.
STEVE N. WILSON RAFT CREEK BOTTOMS WMA
NOTE Raft Creek Bottoms WMA is open to waterfowl hunting Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday only. Saturday and Sunday hunting has both in-person draws and an online permit draw via www.agfc.com. On Tuesday and Thursday, permits need to be picked up before hunting and returned to the permit box kiosk after the hunt. The Youth blind, Mobility-Impaired blind and the Magellan Tract are available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday by online draw. Online draws for other weekend duck holes are held the Thursday-Sunday before the week of hunt.
Unit A Excellent stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit B Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit C Good stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit D (Youth Area) Good stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit E Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit F Good stand of millet and native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit G Fair stand of millet and native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit H (Mobility-impaired blind) Excellent stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit I Poor stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit J (Cypert Tract) Excellent stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit K (Cypert Tract) Excellent stand of native vegetation. 90% flooded.
Unit L (Cypert Tract) Fair stand of native vegetation. 50% flooded.
Unit M (Magellan Tract) Fair stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
CRAIG D. CAMPBELL LAKE CONWAY RESERVOIR
Habitat and water levels are normal on both Pierce and Dix creeks.
BELL SLOUGH WMA
Bell Slough GTR Poor to moderate mast crop. 100% flooded.
Palarm Creek WRA Natural vegetation and planted millet. 85% flooded.
CYPRESS BAYOU WMA
Hunt Area Good mast crop. 100% flooded.
Red Cut Slough Tract Unit 1 Good stand of millet and native vegetation. Water level 75%.
Unit 2 Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation. Water level 100%.
Unit 3 Good stand of millet and native vegetation. Water level 100%.
Unit 4 Good stand of native vegetation. Water level 100%.
Unit 5 Good stand of native vegetation. Water level 40%.
Unit 6 Good stand of native vegetation. Water level 30%.
HARRIS BRAKE WMA
Harris Brake Upper Unit Average mast in the GTR. 100% flooded.
Harris Brake Lower Unit Average mast in the GTR. 100% flooded.
HOLLAND BOTTOMS WMA
WRA Moist Soil Unit (East/West) Excellent conditions. 50% flooded.
Lake Pickthorne WRA Excellent conditions. East cell 100% flooded. West Cell is 100% flooded.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
DR. LESTER SITZES III BOIS D' ARC WMA
Bois d'Arc Lake WRA Closed to hunting. Normal.
Red Slough WRA Closed to hunting. Water level 90%.
GTR Good mast production. Water level 100%.
Little Grassy Habitat is good. Water level 100%.
MILLWOOD LAKE Habitat is good. Water level 261.51.
OZAN WMA
Unit 1 Habitat good. 70% flooded.
Unit 2 Habitat good. 60% flooded.
Unit 3 Habitat good. 60% flooded.
Unit 4 Habitat good. 75% flooded.
Unit 5 Habitat good. 90% flooded.
SULPHUR RIVER WMA
Mercer Bayou Habitat conditions are fair. 100% flooded.
Henry Moore WRA Closed to hunting. 100% flooded.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
BERYL ANTHONY LOWER OUACHITA WMA The WMA has good hard mast production. The only water on the WMA currently is in the sloughs and in the oxbow lakes. Clear Lake Road is closed to all vehicular access, including ATVs.
FREDDIE BLACK CHOCTAW ISLAND WMA DEER RESEARCH AREA Habitat conditions are good. There is variable flooding associated with the Mississippi River. Use extreme caution when boating on the river.
TRUSTEN HOLDER Habitat conditions good. Flooding is river dependent.
SEVEN DEVILS SWAMP WMA Habitat conditions good. Water levels are excessively high.
CUT-OFF CREEK WMA
Hunt Area Habitat conditions are good. Water is high, but road is accessible.
Pigeon Creek WRA Habitat conditions are good. Fully flooded.
BAYOU METO WMA
Upper Vallier GTR Good habitat. Water level 180.40 feet, full pool at 180 feet.
Lower Vallier GTR Good habitat. Water level 179.47 feet, full pool at 179 feet.
Government Cypress GTR Good habitat. Water level 179.72 feet, full pool at 179 feet.
Buckingham Flats GTR Good habitat. 176.43 msl. First phase of pumping completed.
Temple Island GTR Good habitat. Water level 184.45.
Canon Brake Good habitat. 177.21 msl. Full pool at 177 msl.
Halowell WRA Excellent habitat. Staggered flooding of units.
Wrape Plantation WRA Excellent habitat. Staggered flooding of units.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
DARDANELLE WMA
McKennon Bottoms 8 acres of native millet. 24 acres of fallow ground. 100% flooded.
Potter's Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit Good stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
OZARK POOL
Dyer Lake Cells Fair stand of nutsedge and toothcup smartweed, and sprangle top. Units 1 and 2 are 100% flooded. Unit 3 south cell is 75% flooded. West cell 100%.
NIMROD LLOYD MILLWOOD WMA
Nimrod GTR Poor mast crop and desirable native vegetation. 100% flooded.
ED GORDON POINT REMOVE WMA
Little Hole (Unit 1) Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Willow Island Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Red Gate Native vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5) Native vegetation. 95% flooded.
Cedar Ridge (Unit 6) Natural vegetation. 95% flooded.
Unit 7A Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Unit 7B Natural vegetation. 85% flooded.
Unit 8A Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit 8B Native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit 8C Native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit 9 Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Controversy Corner (Unit 10) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Remmel Marsh Native vegetation Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Mud Pond (Unit 12) Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Turkey Pond (Unit 13A) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Turkey Pond (Unit 13B) Natural vegetation. 90% flooded.
Turkey Pond (Unit 13C) Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Teeny Pond (Unit 14) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 90% flooded.
Salt Lick (Unit 15) Japanese millet. Water level 90%.
Bobby's Pond (Unit 16) Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Race Track (Unit 17) Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
FROG BAYOU WMA
Unit 1 Sprangle top, wild millet, smartweed, nutsedge and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Unit 2 Good stand of barnyard grass and nutsedge. 100% flooded.
Unit 3 Smartweed, toothcup, nutsedge, barnyard grass, sprangle top and duck potato. 80% flooded.
Unit 4 Barnyard grass, sprangle top, annual smartweed, nutsedge and crabgrass. 100% flooded.
Unit 5 Sprangle top, wild millet, smartweed, knotgrass, nutsedge and duck potato. 100% flooded.
Unit 6 Barnyard grass, smartweed, crabgrass and sprangle top. 90% flooded and pumping.
Unit 7 Excellent stand of barnyard grass, sprangle top and smartweed. 100% flooded.
GALLA CREEK WMA
Galla Creek GTR Moderate stand of native vegetation and millet, including a mixture of barnyard grass and sprangle top. 100% flooded.
PETIT JEAN RIVER WMA
Santa Fe GTR Poor mast crop. 100% flooded.
Sore-Head Moist Soil Unit Moderate to excellent stands of desirable native vegetation throughout. 100% flooded.
Slaty Crossing Moist-Soil Unit Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, this unit did not grow a desirable native vegetation crop this year. Only about half of the unit produced a crop of millet, but the areas that did produce look amazing. 100% flooded.
Black Lands Moist-Soil Unit Excellent stand of desirable native vegetation throughout. Poor mast crop in the wooded areas. 100% flooded.
Black Lands Duck Area Poor mast in the wooded sections. Moderate to great stands of desirable native vegetation mixed throughout. 100% flooded.
Pullen Pond Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, parts of the northeastern sections of this area are bare ground. Other parts of this area have spotted sections of great desirable native vegetation. The desirable native vegetation has started to become more and more prevalent with each year of ongoing management work. Water level 100%.
Pond Creek GTR Poor mast crop with good stands of desirable native vegetation in the open lands. 100% flooded.
Slaty GTR Poor mast crop. 20% flooded.
Blacklands Duck Area Millet, native vegetation. 100% flooded.