The best mallard numbers seen in Arkansas in recent years continued with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's annual midwinter waterfowl survey released this week. The number of mallards in the Delta region of Arkansas hit a four-year high during aerial observations conducted in December, and that was repeated with last week's count.
Observers estimated 929,248 mallards and more than 1.74 million total ducks on transect lines in eastern Arkansas. Not only was this the highest mallard population recorded during the midwinter survey since 2018, but it was the second-highest since 2010. Total duck population estimates also exceeded 1.5 million for the first time in any survey since December 2011.
The highest mallard and total duck estimates were in the Lower St. Francis survey zone. Hotspot maps indicated several duck concentration areas throughout the Delta.
Arctic goose population estimates totaled 1,693,343 light geese (lesser snow geese and Ross's) and 618,925 greater white-fronted geese in the Delta, as well.
"The timing of the surveys fell right in line with flooding from the massive storm front that came through Arkansas, and hunters know that ducks have an innate ability to find newly flooded areas and make use of the new habitat and food," said Luke Naylor, AGFC chief of wildlife management, said. "Information from locations north of Arkansas suggested ducks had headed south prior to this event and no doubt found abundant new habitat to settle into across the state."
Other portions of the state saw variable numbers of ducks. The Delta's rich habitat seemed to be the focus of the waterfowl. Biologists flying along survey routes in the Arkansas River Valley recorded 41,017 total ducks, including 25,943 mallards. Biologists performing cruise surveys in southwest Arkansas reported an estimated 14,283 ducks with 6,180 mallards.
The state's second dove season continues through Sunday.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
BIG LAKE WMA
North Woods GTR Mast production is good. The Bo Dock gauge is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 235.7 with 100% flooded.
South Woods GTR Mast production is fair. The 7-mile gauge is currently at 236.6 feet. Target level is 234.5 feet with 100% flooded.
Simmons Field Native production is good in the middle and south fields. 100% flooded.
DAVE DONALDSON BLACK RIVER WMA
Upper Island GTR Moderate mast crop. Current level is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 269.5. 100% flooded.
Lower Island GTR Moderate mast crop. Current level is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 268.65. 100% flooded.
Upper Reyno GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 268.45. Target level is 266.9. 100% flooded.
Lower Reyno GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 268.05. Target level is 266.3. 100% flooded.
Winchester GTR Moderate mast crop. Current level is 264.15. Target level is 264.55. 100% flooded.
EARL BUSS BAYOU DEVIEW WMA
South Oliver GTR Mast production is good. Gauge reading on Dec. 20 was 2.2 ft. The area is 100% flooded.
Thompson Tract GTR Mast production has been good. 100% flooded. The Thompson Tract GTR will be allowed to rise and fall naturally without the gates being operated later and partially this season. This action is an effort to help the next generation of forest. Gauge reading on Dec. 20 was 1.9 ft. 100% flooded.
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. 100% flooded.
Rainey Brake GTR Good mast crop. 100% flooded.
Eagle Pond GTR Good mast crop. 100% flooded.
Phase III Moist-Soil Unit Fair wetland-type vegetation. 100% flooded.
Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit Fair 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 216.84. The level for huntable timber is 212.11.
Snowden WRA Mixed grasses are present. 30% 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 10%. Pool B is at 40%. Pool C is at 50% and Pool D is at 100%.
EAST CENTRAL ARKANSAS
HENRY GRAY HURRICANE LAKE WMA
North GTR Good mast crop. The White River at Augusta on Dec. 19, was 28.29 feet and falling. The water level at Glaise Creek was 192.62. All structures on the North GTR will remain open during the 2022-23 season.
South GTR Fair mast crop. The White River at Augusta on Dec. 19, was 28.29 feet and falling.. The water level at Glaise Creek was 192.62 and falling. All structures on the North GTR will remain open during the 2022-23 season.
REX HANCOCK BLACK SWAMP WMA
Gregory GTR Good mast crop. 40% flooded.
Wyeville Unit Good stand of millet and native vegetation. 90% flooded.
SHEFFIELD NELSON DAGMAR WMA
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. Please visit 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 put boards in at Dagmar. Water coverage depends on river level.
Mud Slough GTR Good mast crop. 60% flooded.
Apple Lake WRA (No Hunting) Good mast crop. 60% flooded.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit A Good native vegetation. 90% flooded.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit B Natural slough area with beneficial wetland plants. 90% flooded.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit C Good stand of millet and native vegetation. 90% flooded.
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1 Good stand of native vegetation. 95% flooded.
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2 Good stand of native vegetation. 70% flooded
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3 Good stand of native vegetation. 70% flooded.
STEVE N. WILSON RAFT CREEK BOTTOMS WMA
NOTE Hunting in Raft Creek Bottoms WMA requires participation on the online draw a week before the following weekend's hunt. There is no online draw on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and permits are available at the boat accesses. Permits are required (via online application) on weekends, Tuesdays and Thursdays for the youth and mobility-impaired blinds and for the Magellan Tract. Visit agfc.com to apply for the online draw. There will be no designated holes this season.
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 Poor habitat conditions. 80% flooded.
Unit H (Mobility-impaired blind) Excellent stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit I Poor stand of native vegetation. 50% flooded.
Unit J (Cypert Tract) Excellent stand of native vegetation. 90% flooded.
Unit K (Cypert Tract) Excellent stand of native vegetation. 50% flooded.
Unit L (Cypert Tract) Fair stand of native vegetation. 50% flooded.
Unit M (Magellan Tract) Good 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 Fair mast crop. 100% flooded.
Palarm Creek Rest area was heavily disked late this year and millet crop did not take before the early frost. 100% flooded.
CYPRESS BAYOU WMA
Hunt Area Good mast crop. 100% flooded.
Red Cut Slough Tract Unit 1 Poor habitat conditions. Water level 60%.
Unit 2 Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation. Water level 70%.
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 100%.
Unit 6 Good stand of native vegetation. Water level 100%.
HARRIS BRAKE WMA
Harris Brake Upper Unit Good mast in the GTR. 100% flooded.
Harris Brake Lower Unit Average mast in the GTR. 20% flooded.
HOLLAND BOTTOMS WMA
Hunt Area Excellent conditions. Water level N/A.
Lake Pickthorne (No hunting) WRA Excellent crop of native vegetation and millet. East and West Units 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. 100%.
Little Grassy Habitat is good. Water level 100%.
MILLWOOD LAKE Habitat is good. Water level 259.66.
OZAN WMA
Unit 1 Habitat good. 0% flooded.
Unit 2 Habitat good. 0% flooded.
Unit 3 Habitat good. 0% flooded.
Unit 4 Habitat good. 0% flooded.
Unit 5 Habitat good. 0% flooded.
SULPHUR RIVER WMA
Mercer Bayou Habitat conditions are fair. 90% flooded.
Henry Moore WRA Closed to hunting. 60% 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 oxbow lakes.
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. Flooded. Some roads may be impassable.
CUT-OFF CREEK WMA
Hunt Area Habitat conditions are good. Water is high. Some roads may be impassable.
Pigeon Creek WRA Habitat conditions are good. Fully flooded.
BAYOU METO WMA
Upper Vallier GTR Good habitat. Water level 180.11 feet, full pool at 180 feet.
Lower Vallier GTR Good habitat. Water level 178.84 feet, full pool at 179 feet.
Government Cypress GTR Good habitat. Water level 180.59 feet, full pool at 179 feet.
Buckingham Flats GTR Good habitat. 170.22 msl. First phase of pumping completed.
Temple Island GTR Good habitat. Water level 185.05.
Canon Brake Good habitat. 178.32 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 Good native moist soil vegetation. 100% flooded.
Potter's Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit West cell has a poor stand of moist-soil vegetation. East cell has an average stand of moist-soil vegetation. 100% flooded.
OZARK POOL
Dyer Lake Cells Cell 1 Good stand of moist-soil vegetation. Cell 2 Poor stand of moist-soil vegetation. Units 1 and 2 are 100% flooded.
Unit 3 South Cell Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and volunteer millet. 25% flooded.
West Cell Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and volunteer millet. 5%.
NIMROD LLOYD MILLWOOD WMA
Nimrod GTR The red oak mast crop is moderate this year as well as the desirable native vegetation growth. Due to abnormally dry conditions, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The water control structures were closed Nov. 15. 90% flooded.
ED GORDON POINT REMOVE WMA
Little Hole (Unit 1) Japanese millet. 80% flooded.
Willow Island Japanese millet and natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Red Gate Native vegetation. 95% flooded.
Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5) Native vegetation. 80% flooded.
Cedar Ridge (Unit 6) Japanese millet. 85% flooded.
Unit 7A Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit 7B Japanese millet and natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit 8A Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 90% flooded.
Unit 8B Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
Unit 8C Native vegetation. 80% flooded.
Unit 9 Native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Controversy Corner (Unit 10) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Remmel Marsh Native vegetation. 100% flooded.
Mud Pond (Unit 12) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 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) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Teeny Pond (Unit 14) Natural vegetation. 75% flooded.
Salt Lick (Unit 15) Natural vegetation. 75% flooded.
Bobby's Pond (Unit 16) Natural vegetation. 90% flooded.
Race Track (Unit 17) Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.
FROG BAYOU WMA
Unit 1 Good stand of moist-soil vegetation in the upper end, while lower end has been fallow-disked. 100% flooded.
Unit 2 Has been fallow-disked. Unit is rainfall dependent. 100% flooded.
Unit 3 Average stand of moist-soil vegetation on the upper end; lower end has been fallow-disked. 100% flooded.
Unit 4 Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and planted millet 100% flooded.
Unit 5 Good stand of moist-soil vegetation on the upper end; lower end has been planted with Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
Unit 6 Good stand of moist-soil vegetation. Lower end has been fallow-disked. 100% flooded.
Unit 7 Good stand of moist-soil vegetation. 100% flooded.
GALLA CREEK WMA
Galla Creek GTR Good stands of native vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.
PETIT JEAN RIVER WMA
Santa Fe GTR Moderate mast crop. 100% flooded.
Sore-Head Moist Soil Unit 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 Moderate stand of desirable native vegetation throughout. Moderate 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 central section and western section of this area is bare ground. Most of the area has a great stand of desirable native vegetation. Water level 60%.
Pond Creek GTR Moderate mast crop with moderate stands of desirable native vegetation in the open lands. 20% flooded.
Slaty GTR Moderate mast crop. 5% flooded.
Blacklands Duck Area Millet, native vegetation. 100% flooded.