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:

Today…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph in the
                  morning…becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. East winds 5 mph.
Friday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.
Saturday…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.
Saturday Night…Cloudy and warmer. Scattered showers during the night. Isolated
                    thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Sunday…Showers and thunderstorms likely in the morning…then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. The chance of precipitation 60 percent.
Sunday Night…Partly cloudy. Colder. Lows around 40.
Monday…Mostly sunny. Cooler. Highs in the mid 50s.
Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.
Tuesday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS–

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded:  Lower Reyno GTR is approximately 70 percent flooded with a reading of 267.1 MSL. The Upper Reyno GTR is 80 percent flooded with a reading of 266.5 MSL. LowerIsland is 70 percent flooded with a reading of 268.7 MSL with the Upper Island 100 percent flooded at 269.7 MSL. There is no trace on the Hubble and Brookings gauges for Little and Big Black rivers. The current Corning stage is 2.18 feet.  
Habitat Conditions:  Good, with moderate abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Weather Conditions:  Highs for the week will range from 45 to 67 degrees.  A 30 percent chance of rain is scheduled for Monday, and a 10 percent chance for the remainder of the week.  Lows for the week will range from 31 to 43 degrees. 
Duck Abundance:  Moderate to good numbers have been observed on the WMA and Moist Soil Unit.
Hunter activity/Success:  Fair to moderate numbers have been taken on the area.
Comments:  Please remember to keep all boats off the levees, so AGFC personnel can access the area.  Boats that are blocking access will be moved.
 
Shirey Bay-Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100 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 not flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Fair mast crop.
Weather:  Highs in the mid 50s this week then turning cooler with a high in the upper 40s on Saturday and Sunday with a 50 percent chance for showers.
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks have been observed moving into the management area. The private flooded fields around the management area are holding a few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter success over the weekend was poor. Hunter activity was very light this weekend.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The Snowden Waterfowl Rest Area is 70 percent flooded and Payneway WRA is 40 percent.  The current St. Francis River level at Oak Donnick is 212.81 MSL.
Habitat Conditions:  The Snowden WRA has a good stand of smartweed, panic grass, millet and sedges. The Payneway WRA has a higher abundance of smartweed within the borrow areas. Acorn production within the floodways is considered good.
Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy throughout the week with a 40 percent chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the high 30s.
Migrations/Observations:Moderate numbers of ducks and geese have been seen in the area.
Duck Abundance:  Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: A moderate number of hunters have been seen at the boat ramps. 
     
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded:  The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is 1.30 feet with the South Oliver Tract gauge reading at 1.61 feet. The water levels are currently rising slowly due to recent rainfall.
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 will rise toward the end of the week, with a high of 69 during the day and and a low of 35 at night.  A 30 to 40 percent chance of rain is expected on Saturday and Sunday.
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 LakeWMA:
Percent Flooded:The timber area is 95 percent flooded. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. Target is 235.5 MSL in the north woods with a present reading of 235.6 MSL. Target water is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading of 234.3 MSL. Simmons Field unit is 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Weather Conditions:  This week’s highs will range from 45 to 67 degrees and lows will range from 31 to 43 degrees.
Migrations/Observations:  Fair numbers of ducks are being seen flying over the area to the north and east and then returning to Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Duck Abundance:Fair to moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments:  Be aware of logs near the surface in the ditches.
       
EAST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

HenryGrayHurricaneLake WMA
Percent Flooded: 10 percent. White River at Augusta is falling. Augusta is at 12.3 feet and Georgetown is at .8 foot.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Average temperatures, becoming milder toward the weekend. Chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, then turning cooler.
Migrations/Observations:  Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Average temperatures, becoming milder toward the weekend. Chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, then turning cooler.
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: Average temperatures, becoming milder toward the weekend. Chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, then turning cooler.
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.

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 80 percent          
Habitat Conditions:  Main impoundments are 4 inches below flood pool.
Weather: Average temperatures, becoming milder toward the weekend. Chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, then turning cooler.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights reported.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair
General Comments:  A quota permit draw is held two hours before official shooting time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout waterfowl season. Approximately 15 permits will be drawn. A computer on-line draw has been established for five stations and one mobility-impaired blind throughout the season. Access to hunting stations will be improving due to recent rainfall.

Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded:  40 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good acorn crop.
Weather:  Average temperatures, becoming milder toward the weekend. Chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, then turning cooler.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted.  
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor
General Comments: The CacheRiver at Patterson is presently at 9.3 feet,
and Cotton Plant reading is 7.2 feet.

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded:  0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed, mostly wood ducks, gadwalls and a few teal.
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: 5 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 the CacheRiver and Bayou DeView. CacheRiver is presently at 7.2 feet at the Cotton Plant gauge.
AppleLake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 25 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:  Low water conditions.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS -

Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent
Habitat Conditions:Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations:Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success:Hunter activity has pushed the ducks out of the area.
General Comments:Little to no water. Waiting on rainfall.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 15 percent
Habitat Conditions:Excellent seed production.
Migrations/Observations:None
Duck Abundance:No ducks.
General Comments:  Borrow 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 in 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:Low

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: Hunter activity has pushed the ducks out of the area.
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: Hunter activity has pushed the ducks out of the area.
General Comments: Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting. 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA:

     Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 45 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
      Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 85 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
      Government Cypress:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Low
      Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
      Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent
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 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Low
Duck Abundance:  Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 0 percent with a very slow rise.
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Migrations/Observations:  Few 
Duck Abundance:   Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor 
General Comments:   Deep Slough is below the gauge reading.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded:  5 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good 
Migrations/Observations:  Few 
Duck Abundance:   Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

 Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent
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 mallards on the Arkansas River.
Duck Abundance:  Few
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair
General Comments:   River water only.

ChoctawIsland WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Mississippi River is at 3.1 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations:  Fair
Duck Abundance:  Fair
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair
Comments:  TheMississippi River gauge at ArkansasCity is at 3.1 feet and falling.

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Fair
Migrations/Observations: A few gadwall have been seen off the area, but very few mallards and pintails. Moderate population of wood ducks.
Weather Conditions: For this week, low temperatures range from 34-44, and high temps ranging from 51 to 65, 10 percent chance of rain early in the week and 40 to 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.
Hunter Activity/Success: None
General Comments: The area will begin to flood when water levels exceed 65.0 feet MSL. 

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Fair amount of ducks observed.
Duck Abundance: Fair. Mostly gadwalls.
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: Fair weather predicted for this week.
Migrations/Observations: A few ducks are starting to use the area.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:  Rest area closed to duck hunting.
      Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent
Habitat Conditions: Red oak acorn production good. Rains over the weekend should help fill the reservoir up.
Weather: Fair weather predicted for this 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: Fair weather predicted for this week.
 Migrations/Observations: Very few observed using the area.
Duck Abundance: Few
Hunter Activity/Success: Low
General Comments: Walk-in access only.

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.35 MSL
Habitat Conditions: Stable.
Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week.
Migrations/Observations: Good to fair. A few gadwalls and mallards are being reported in the area.
Duck Abundance: Moderate, mostly gadwalls.
Hunter Activity/Success: Good to fair.
General Comments: The three-foot drawdown began Nov. 26.  This will expose vast amounts of mud flats.  Access will be limited.  The draw down will last until Feb.15, 2008.

Sulphur River WMA:
      Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good. Recent rains have improved habitat conditions.
Weather: Fair weather predicted for this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arrived with recent cold front.
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.  Recent rains have improved habitat conditions.
Weather:  Fair weather predicted for this week.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arrived with the recent cold front.
Duck Abundance: Low.
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:  Cooler temperatures
Migrations/Observations:  Very few.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Some hunters taking a few ducks  
General Comments:  The area has received 1.5 inches of rain over the past week.

Galla Creek WMA:
General Comments:   This area will not be flooded this year due to channel restoration project 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 – 10 percent
      Santa Fe – 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Millet did well in the Black Lands fields.
Weather: Highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s. 
Migrations/Observations:  Very few ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very few.
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor. 
General Comments:  The area needs cooler weather to push ducks into the WMA and large amounts of rain to keep them in the area.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor hard mast crop in the timber and native grasses did well in field systems.
Weather: Highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s. 
Migrations/Observations: Below average number of mallards, fair number of wood ducks, gadwalls and teal.
Duck Abundance: Low to moderate.
Hunter Activity/Success: Fair.
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: Good
Weather: Mild and cloudy, with light rain forecast over the weekend. Recent rains didn’t produce run-off due to the dry conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Snow geese moved through Friday and Saturday along with several 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: Cloudy, light rain over weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Snow geese moved through Friday and Saturday along with several ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success:  Fair

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions:  Good
Weather: Clear and mild.
Migrations/Observations:  Snow geese moved through Friday and Saturday along with several 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: Cloudy, light rain over weekend.
Migrations/Observations Snow geese moved through Friday and Saturday along with several ducks.
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: Cloudy, light rain over weekend.
Migrations/Observations:  Ducks moved in over weekend. Approximately 8,000, mostly teal, shovelers and gadwall and about 1,000 mallards.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success:  N/A

Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habitat Conditions: Golden millet planted in 3 units.
Weather: Mild
Migrations/Observations:  Few small ducks, mostly gadwalls and teal.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: Poor   
General Comments: Plenty of water and good habitat conditions. Need colder weather.