MonticelloLive

The following report is a compilation of state reports and waterfowl surveys from across Arkansas. This report provides a look at habitat conditions across the state.
Weather Forecast:
Saturday…Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Highs in the mid 40s. The chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Saturday Night…Cloudy. A chance of rain. Lows in the upper 30s. Temperatures nearly steady after midnight. The chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Sunday…Cloudy. A chance of rain. Highs in the upper 40s. The chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Sunday Night…Cloudy. A chance of rain. Lows in the upper 30s. Temperatures nearly steady after midnight. The chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Monday…Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the morning. Highs in the mid 50s. The chance of precipitation 50 percent in the morning.

Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

Tuesday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Bayou Meto WMA:
Upper Vallier:

Percent Flooded: 45%
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
            Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 85%
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
            Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 40%
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
            Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100%
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
            Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 90%
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:   N/A
Wrape Plantation:
Percent Flooded: 75%.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 0%
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Few 
Duck Abundance:   Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  5%
Habitat Conditions:  Good 
Migrations/Observations:  Few 
Duck Abundance:   Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
 Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 5%.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Few
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor
General Comments:   No boating access at this time.
Trusten Holder WMA at Arkansas River:
Percent Flooded:  River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:    Few gadwalls, teal and few mallards ARK River only
Duck Abundance:  Few
Hunter Activity/Success: 
General Comments:  The Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry is at 27 feet.
Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded:   River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions:  Fair
Migrations/Observations:  Very Low
Duck Abundance:  Very Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Very Low
Comments: The Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City is at 2 feet.
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Fair
Migrations/Observations: A few mallards and pintails. Moderate population of wood ducks
Weather Conditions: For this week, low temperatures range from 38 to 45 degrees with high temperatures ranging from 61 to 77 degrees. A 30 percent chance of rain early in the week and a 60 percent chance of rain for the weekend.
Water Levels: 65.0 feet MSL above and 52.4 feet MSL below the Felsenthal Lock and Dam. 
Duck Abundance: Low to moderate number of ducks reported in the area.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: The area will begin to flood when water levels exceed 65.0 feet MSL.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded:  Lower Reyno GTR is approximately 60 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 265.8 MSL. The Upper Reyno GTR is 80 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 266.6 MSL. The Lower Island is 70 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 268.5 MSL. The Upper Island is 100 percent flooded with a gauge reading of 269.6 MSL. There is no trace on the Hubble and Brookings gauges for Little and Big Black Rivers. The current Black River reading at Corning is 2.15 feet. 
Habitat Conditions:  Good. With moderate abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Weather Conditions:  Highs for the week will range from 45 to 72 degrees.  An 80 percent chance of rain is forecast for Wednesday and a 20 percent chance for Thursday.  Lows for the week will range from 31 to 55 degrees. 
Duck Abundance:  Moderate numbers have been observed on the WMA and Moist Soil Unit.
Hunter activity/Success:  Fair to Moderate numbers of ducks have been harvested on the area over the opening weekend.  
Comments:  Please remember to keep all boats off the levees, so AGFC personnel can access the area.  Boats will be moved that are blocking access.
Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 80 percent flooded and the Rainey Brake GTR is 90 percent flooded. The Phase III, River Field, Charles Crisp and Ward Field moist soil units are 0 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Fair mast crop.
Weather:  High around 70 through Wednesday then turning cooler with a high in the mid 40s on Thursday and Friday. There is an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday.
Migrations/Observations:  Ducks have not been observed moving into the management area. The private flooded fields around the management area are holding a few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter success over the weekend was poor.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Payneway Moist Soil unit is 40 percent flooded, while the Snowden Moist Soil Unit is 60 percent flooded.  The Oak Donnick gauge shows 211.29 feet.
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is considered fair. A good stand of smartweed, sprangletop and sedges is located within both Payneway and Snowden waterfowl rest areas.
Weather Conditions:Partly cloudy with highs in the 70s for the first part of the week; however dropping to the middle 50s by week’s end.  Lows will dip into the middle 20s with a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday.
Migrations/Observations: A fair number of ducks have been seen within the timber.
Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the area.
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A
     
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 0.96 feet with the South Oliver Tract gauge reading at 1.38 feet.  The Thompson and South Oliver Tracts are considered flooded at full pool.
Habitat Conditions:  Acorn production is considered fair. A good stand of smartweed and sedges is located within the natural sloughs and along the edges of Lake Hogue Waterfowl Rest Area.
Weather Conditions: Temperatures are 77 degrees to 44 degrees, Monday to Wednesday and 55 degrees to 30 degrees, Thursday to Sunday.  A 60 percent chance of rain is expected on Wednesday.
Migrations/Observations: A fair number of ducks with most utilizing adjacent agricultural fields.
Duck Abundance: A few ducks are using the timbered areas.
Hunter Activity/Success:  A fair number of hunters over the weekend with some having fair success.
Big Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded:The area is 95 percent flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the north woods with a present reading of 235.3 MSL. Target is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading of 234.4 MSL. Simmons Field unit is 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions:Good
Weather Conditions:  High’s in the low to mid 70s and lows in the lower 60s Tuesday. On Wednesday, a front moving through the state should drop temperatures into the lower 50s for highs with lows in the lower 30s.
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of ducks are being reported over the area to the north and east and then returning to Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Duck Abundance:Fair
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair
General Comments:  Be aware of logs near the surface in the ditches.
       
EAST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  0 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Bayou DeView is very low.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Only permanent water available on Dagmar. Bayou DeView is also extremely low and not navigable.
Mud Slough GTR:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop
Weather: Mild conditions 
Migrations/Observations:  No new flights.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks in the slough pockets.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments:  Unable to flood the GTR due to extreme low water conditions on Cache and Bayou DeView. Cache River is presently at 3.29 feet at Cotton Plant.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks using the lake. 
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Closed to access.
General Comments:  Very low water conditions.
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent. White River at Augusta is falling. Augusta is at 11.4 feet and Georgetown is at -.5 foot.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Mild conditions and very dry.
Migrations/Observations:  Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low numbers
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and the area will need significant rainfall for improvement.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and very dry.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Water conditions are low and will need significant rainfall for improvement.
South GTR:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop
Weather: Mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement.
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded:  0 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop
Weather:  Mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted   
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 2.9 feet. Very low water conditions exist on the Cache River corridor.

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 80 percent         
Habitat Conditions:  Main impoundments are below full pool.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights reported.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments:  A quota permit draw (two hours before official shooting hours) is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 15 permits will be drawn on site opening day. A computer online draw established for (5) stations and (one) mobility impaired blind throughout season. Access to hunting stations will be difficult until the area receives significant rainfall due to low water conditions

CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 35 percent
Habitat Conditions:Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success:Numerous hunters with limited success.
General Comments:Little to no water.  Waiting on rainfall.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent
Habitat Conditions: Excellent seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: No ducks.
General Comments: Bar ditches are full.  Waiting on rainfall.
Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of wood ducks on the ditches.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: None
General Comments: Waiting on rainfall.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions:Excellent seed production.
Migrations/Observations: A couple of groups of teal are using the area.
Duck Abundance:Few ducks.
Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Numeorus hunters with limited success.
General Comments: Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Normal
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance:Very few ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: Numerous hunters with limited success.
General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting. 

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Cold front predicted for mid week.
Migrations/Observations: Fair amount of ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Fair amount of ducks. Mostly gadwall.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Lake is closed to duck hunting.
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Cold front predicted for mid  week.
Migrations/Observations: Few ducks starting to use the area.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  Rest area completely closed to duck hunting.
            Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent
Habitat Conditions: Red oak acorn production good.
Weather: Cold front predicted for mid-week.
Migrations/Observations: Few
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments:  Water level is continuing to rise.
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent
Habitat Conditions: Excellent
Weather:  Cold front predicted for mid week.
Migrations/Observations: Very few observed using the area.
Duck Abundance: Few
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments: Walk in only.
Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.35 MSL
Habitat Conditions: Stable
Weather: Cold front forecast mid-week.
Migrations/Observations: Good to fair. Gadwalls and a few mallards.
Duck Abundance: Moderate, mostly gadwalls.
Hunter Activity/Success: Good to fair.
General Comments: There will be a 3-foot drawdown beginning Nov.26.  This will expose a vast amount of mud flats.  Access will be limited.
Sulphur River WMA:
            Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good.
Weather: Strong cold front predicted for mid week.
Migrations/Observations: No new ducks observed.
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments: Habitat is in good shape due to the summer rains.
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  80 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather:  Strong cold front predicted for mid-week.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A
General Comments:  Rest area is closed.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent
Habitat Conditions: An abundance of natural vegetation.
Weather:  Warm
Migrations/Observations:  Very few.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Some hunters are taking a few ducks.
General Comments:  No new migrations.
Galla Creek WMA:
General Comments:   This area will not be flooded this year due to channel restoration in progress.
Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
        Black Lands Moist Soil Units-100 percent
        Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units-100 percent
        Pullen Pond-0 percent
        Pond Creek-0 percent
        Slaty Pond- 0 percent
        Santa Fe-0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor hard mast crop in the timber, but millet did well in Black Lands fields.
Weather: Highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 30s and 40s. 
Migrations/Observations:  No new birds.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor. 
General Comments:  Need cooler weather to push ducks into the area and large amounts of rain to keep them in the area.
Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent
Habitat Conditions: Very poor hard mast crop in the timber, but native grasses did well in field systems.
Weather: Highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 30s and 40s. 
Migrations/Observations: Below average number of mallards. Fair numbers of wood ducks, gadwall and teal.
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need cooler weather to push ducks into the area and large amounts of rain to keep them in the area.
Arkansas River Valley:
Habitat Conditions:  Extremely dry with poor habitat conditions.
Weather: Mild
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance:  Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor
General Comments:  Need rain and cold weather to push ducks into the area.
Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Mild
Migrations/Observations:  Few ducks around islands near Spradra, but the majority of ducks are around Morrison Bluff.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Poor 
General Comments:  Need rain and cold weather to push ducks into the River Valley.
Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Weather: Clear and mild
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments:  Need rain and cold weather to push ducks into the area.
Dyer Lake Cells:
Percent Flooded: Moist soil units 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Weather: Clear and mild
Migrations/Observations:  Low, but there are a few ducks on the lake, mostly Gadwalls.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Need rain and cold weather to push ducks into the area.
Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  Over 50 percent flooded
Habitat Conditions:  Moist soil units are good
Weather: Clear and mild
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks, mostly shoveler’s.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  NA
General Comments: No hunting.
Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habitat Conditions: Golden millet planted in three units.
Weather: Mild
Migrations/Observations:  A few small ducks, mostly gadwall and teal.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor   
General Comments: Plenty of water and good habitat conditions. Need colder weather.