DuckSouth.com

LITTLE ROCK - Recent warm temperatures and drought-like conditions haven't helped forecasts for Arkansas' upcoming waterfowl season. Biologists from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently completed their aerial surveys of waterfowl numbers and conditions. What they saw doesn't bode well for Arkansas' season opener on Nov. 18.

AGFC waterfowl program coordinator Luke Naylor said that biologists conducted the aerial waterfowl surveys Nov. 7-13. "Habitat conditions across the state were slightly improved from last year, but portions of the state remain extremely dry. There is an abundance of flooded habitat in the Arkansas River Valley and water levels are very high in the northeast," Naylor said. "However, habitat conditions were dry in the eastcentral region, slightly below average in the southeast and dry in the southwest," he explained.

Naylor said a wet October led to excellent habitat conditions in the northeast, but rainfall did not appear to have been of sufficient duration and intensity to flood large amounts of habitat, particularly on the state's wildlife management areas, in the balance of the state. "Recent rains should make pumping of fields less costly, and farmers in the southwest and southeast were actively flooding fields during the survey period," he stated.

The numbers of waterfowl counted during this survey were much higher than last year, but still well below the long-term average. The statewide total duck count of 285,187 represents a 78 percent increase from last year’s count of 159,905, but the number remains well below the 1985–2006 November survey average of 579,224.

The mallard count of 106,823 is a 147 percent increase from last November’s count of 43,085 but, like total duck numbers, remains well below the long-term average of 282,611. "It is interesting to note that about 75 percent of the mallards observed during this survey were counted in northeast Arkansas where the greatest amount of habitat is available," Naylor said.

Breeding grounds estimates for gadwalls were very high this year and Arkansas' survey data appears to match the increased numbers. Gadwall numbers (90,210) approached that of mallards and were nearly twice as high as last year’s 52,512 bird total. Snow goose numbers (332,850, up from 61,175 last year) were extremely high this year with large concentrations of birds observed on flooded fields in the northeast and southeast regions. Numbers of white-fronted geese were up slightly, totaling 31,905 compared to last year’s estimate of 21,105.

Naylor pointed out that the aerial waterfowl surveys are used to estimate numbers of ducks and geese using regions of Arkansas and the status of migrations and habitat conditions. "These surveys add to the long-term information base that biologists use to manage wetlands and establish hunting seasons. Our periodic surveys serve as an index to migrations and waterfowl numbers, but do not necessarily reflect the patterns of bird use or hunting prospects," he said.

The survey results give a good general idea about waterfowl numbers and conditions, but hunters should pay more attention to near-term reports on weather, habitat and hunting success to guide their specific hunting plans, Naylor explained. More specific WMA reports are available weekly on the Duck Hotline Number (800) 440-1477 or on the AGFC website http://www.agfc.com.

The thing I want to know is how does the Game and Fish get all those duck numbers from standing at the ramp or driving to and from the coffee shop and local diners?

I just drove all the way through arkansas and I really didn't see many ducks AT ALL....hope this helps.

It did not help me. lmao

The thing I want to know is how does the Game and Fish get all those duck numbers from standing at the ramp or driving to and from the coffee shop and local diners?

It's hearsay from what other people at the coffee shop and diner have seen.

Wingman wrote:

The thing I want to know is how does the Game and Fish get all those duck numbers from standing at the ramp or driving to and from the coffee shop and local diners?

It's hearsay from what other people at the coffee shop and diner have seen.

Boy aint that the truth!

I heard Bob say that his brother was at the Arkansas game Tale-gaiting with his sister, Lou, "mary Lou" and she said that his brother, and her cousin, who married her aunt's next door neighbor's best fried, who works at the quick lube for wal-mart, was at the waffle house last saturday night with her uncle (getting smothered and covered), when he said that he was in the marsh and saw a big fat greenie. I swar, you heard it hear 1st big dawg.

Louisiana Numbers....posted this week.

The estimate of 2.3 million ducks on this survey is nearly 80% higher than last November’s estimate of 1.3 million and is similar to the 30-year average of 2.2 million. Estimates for all species except pintails and green-winged teal were higher than last year, and although most species were below long-term averages, above-average estimates for gadwalls, shovelers, ring-necked ducks and canvasbacks pushed the total over the long-term mark. Total duck numbers in southeast Louisiana and Catahoula Lake were similar to last year, but estimates for southwest Louisiana were nearly 2.5 times higher than last November.

An additional 316,000 ducks and 214,000 geese were counted in selected habitats of northeast Louisiana. That is nearly 3 times higher than the highest number of ducks counted on any northeast Louisiana survey last year when relatively little habitat was available due to very dry conditions. Pintails (114,000), gadwalls (60,000), mallards (59,000), and green-winged teal (42,000) were the most abundant duck species, while snow geese (149,000) accounted for 70% of the geese counted.

We counted another 21,000 ducks on our northwest Louisiana survey, primarily on the locks, lakes, oxbows, and fields along the Red River and upper Toledo Bend reservoir. This is much higher than the 12,000 counted in November of 2005 and 4,000 counted in 2004. Gadwalls (10,000), mallards (6,000), green-winged teal (3,000), and canvasbacks (2,000) were the most abundant species.

All evidence points to an earlier migration of ducks into Louisiana compared to 5 of the prior 6 years. Since 1999, only the November survey in 2002 estimated more ducks (2.6 million) than this year. A number of cold fronts, starting in September and culminating in a strong cold-air movement the first week of November, brought birds into the state. By October 31, Minnesota was reporting substantial ice coverage of wetland habitat and ducks migrating out of the state. Ice has persisted in Minnesota and similar reports of ice coverage and birds moving out of the Dakotas indicate conditions favorable to birds moving into southern states, including Louisiana.

Much of Louisiana was in tightening drought status through early-October with limited wetlands outside of the coastal zone. Several regions of the state were 15-20 inches below average precipitation at that time. Because October is normally our driest month, we were anticipating another dry winter. However, that changed abruptly during the latter half of October. A series of cold fronts produced an abundance of rain over most of the state except the southeast. Daily rainfall totals exceeding 13 inches occurred in central Louisiana, and 2-week totals of 12-15 inches were common across much of the state. This resulted in an abundance of flooded agricultural fields and near-flood conditions in some natural wetlands.

Habitat conditions in northeast Louisiana improved greatly as October rainfall put water in backwater wetlands, managed habitats, and many agricultural fields, providing excellent early-season conditions except possibly for Catahoula Lake. Flooding has made foraging habitat there unavailable to dabblers at this time, but the lake is holding over 110,000 diving ducks including 37,000 canvasbacks.

Habitat conditions in coastal Louisiana are highly variable. The westernmost transect lines, including habitat on Sabine NWR that has traditionally held large numbers of ducks, still have large areas of brown, unvegetated marsh and areas where emergent vegetation appears stressed by poor water quality. However, most marshes in southwest Louisiana appear to be recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Rita. Many areas showed outstanding growth of moist-soil plants in September, primarily wild millet, pigweed, and flat-sedges, which are now flooded and available for waterfowl foraging. Unfortunately, water-levels of 1 to 2 feet above normal have flooded much of that marsh deeper than desired for feeding waterfowl. In general, the variability in habitat conditions may have led to a clumpy distribution of ducks. We seemed to fly long stretches of marsh with few ducks then encountered large concentrations in discrete locations.

Similarly, southeast Louisiana marshes are showing signs of recovery from last year’s hurricane damage. Good growth of submerged aquatic vegetation was seen at both Atchafalaya and Mississippi River deltas as well as in the marsh around Delacroix. The habitat conditions in the upper Terrebonne basin and around Lake Salvador also look good despite those areas holding far fewer ducks than at this time last year, when they were the only areas not severely impacted by the storms.

Missouri Numbers...

Comments of: 2006-11-07

Aerial Surveys - Andy Raedeke
Comments - Andy Raedeke

Missouri witnessed what could turn out to be the biggest migration event of the year on October 31. A significant cold front moved across the upper Midwest on October 30-31 producing strong northwest winds and below normal temperatures in much of the Midwest and snow in the northern half of North Dakota. The cold front ushered in cold temperatures for the remainder of the week. Most waterfowl departed from Canada, northern Minnesota and northern North Dakota. Most shallow wetlands and smaller lakes also froze in southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and South Dakota. Temperatures have rebounded this week.

Duck numbers (615,575), excluding a few conservation areas in Southeast Missouri, are near the peak numbers reached in 2005 (634,200 - Nov. 15), 2004 (658,100 - early December), and 2003 (654,400 - Nov. 24). Species composition on most areas is mixed with many early season migrants still present along with good numbers of mallards. The first snow geese also arrived in Missouri.

Habitat conditions remain essentially unchanged since late October. River and reservoir levels are low in much of the state and wetland habitat is mainly limited to public and private areas with water pumping capabilities. Southeast Missouri is the exception where they continue to experience above average precipitation and extremely wet conditions.

Last week’s migrations resulted in excellent hunting. Many areas in the North Zone sustained over a 3-bird average through much of the week. Although the Middle and South zone seasons were closed while this major migration event occurred, Middle Zone hunters still benefited and had an excellent opening day.

Hunters will likely be challenged by the unseasonably warm temperatures expected during the remainder of the week. Hunting pressure has been heavy on the weekends and fairly light during the week.

The next coordinated survey will be conducted on 20 November (reporting should be on 23 November unless weather affects survey timing).

Arkansas reports. Here they are;

Editor's Note: This is the first waterfowl report of the season. The season opens on Nov. 18. We will have a report each week throughout the season.

Weekly Waterfowl Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail: kastephens@agfc.state.ar.us

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's waterfowl report for Nov. 15, 2006.

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: Periods of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 p.m. High near 56. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then a chance of rain and thunderstorms between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of rain, mainly between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. West northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north northwest.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 56. North northeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 37.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 58.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS –

Dave Donaldson Black River WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good, with high abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
Weather Conditions: Highs for the week will range from 47 to 61 degrees. A 70 percent chance of rain is scheduled for Wednesday, and a 10 percent chance for all other days. Lows for the week will range from 31 to 50 degrees. Opening day predications are sunny, high of 53, and low of 32. Sunrise for opening day is 6:43 am.
Duck Abundance: Moderate numbers have been observed on the WMA, with large numbers of ducks and geese being seen in surrounding fields.
Hunter activity/Success: N/A

Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: The Adam’s Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 239.5 MSL. The Rainey Brake GTR is 100 percent flooded at 238.0 MSL. The Phase III moist soil unit, River Field and Charles Crisp moist soil units are 100 percent flooded. The Ward Field moist soil unit is 90 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: On opening day of duck season, the forecast is for mostly sunny skies with a high near 55.
Migrations/Observations: A good number of ducks have been observed moving into the area. The farm fields around the management area are holding a fair number of ducks and geese.
Duck Abundance: Good.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
Percent Flooded: The Snowden Waterfowl Rest Area is 30 percent flooded and Fields 1, 2 and 3 are 40 percent flooded. Field 4 is less than 1 percent flooded. The current St. Francis River level at Oak Donnick is 212.72 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: Conditions will be partly cloudy for most of the week with temperatures in the upper 50’s. A 60 percent chance of rain is forecast on Wednesday, but opening day should be sunny and 57 degrees.
Migrations/Observations: Moderate numbers of ducks and geese have been seen in the area.
Duck Abundance: A fair number of wood ducks are using the timbered areas.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA:
Percent Flooded: The current Thompson Tract gauge reading is at 1.10 feet with the South Oliver Tract gauge reading at 0.80 feet. The Thompson Tract is considered full pool with the South Oliver approximately 60 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is considered good. 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: A 50 percent chance of rain on Wednesday with temperatures expected to reach the upper 50’s with lows in the 30’s over the weekend.
Migrations/Observations: A fair number of ducks with most utilizing adjacent agricultural fields.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks are using the timbered areas.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Big Lake WMA :
Percent Flooded: The area is 100 percent flooded in the timber. Ditches are 100 percent flooded. The target is 235.5 MSL in the north woods with a present reading of 236.3 MSL. The target is 234.5 MSL in the south woods with a present reading is 235.35 MSL. Simmons Field unit 100 percent flooded.
Habitat Conditions: Acorn production is good in the timber. The Simmons Field Units have millet and sorghum in the 80 acre field in the north field on the east side. There is millet, smartweed, and sedges scattered throughout.
Weather Conditions: 90 percent chance of rain on Wednesday. A cold front moving through Wednesday will bring the highs in the low 50’s and the lows in the mid to upper 30’s on Thursday and Friday.
Migrations/Observations: Good numbers observed over the past week.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

EASTCENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Dagmar WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Bayou DeView is low, but rising
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights observed.
Duck Abundance: Few ducks observed.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Only permanent bodies of water available on Dagmar, but some sloughs are beginning to fill. Cache River gauge at Cotton Plant is 15.3 feet and falling.
Mud Slough GTR:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights.
Duck Abundance: A few wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water level is 0.8 of a foot below flood pool and rising.
Apple Lake Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 20 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: A few wood ducks are using the lake.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Apple Lake will remain closed to access until after waterfowl season closes.

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 55 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Main impoundments are 1.5 feet below full pool.
Weather: Mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: New flights reported earlier in the week, but warmer temperatures caused the ducks to move.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
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

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent. White River at Augusta is at 22.16 feet and Georgetown 7.91 feet.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and wet.
Migrations/Observations: Low numbers of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement.
North GTR:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and wet.
Migrations/Observations: Low population of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are low and the area will need significant rainfall for improvement.
South GTR:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild condition and wet.
Migrations/Observations: Low duck numbers.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water conditions are very low and will need significant rainfall for improvement.

Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good acorn crop.
Weather: Mild conditions and wet.
Migrations/Observations: No new flights noted.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: The Cache River at Patterson is presently at 9.8 feet.


CENTRAL ARKANSAS-

Bell Slough WMA:
Percent Flooded: 30 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
General Comments: The slough is full, but very little water is in the timber.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: No ducks are being seen.
General Comments: Rainfall is needed.

Holland Bottoms WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: Fair numbers of wood ducks in the ditches.
Duck Abundance: Very low.
Hunter Activity/Success: None
General Comments: Rainfall is needed.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Moderate seed production.
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: No ducks.

Harris Brake WMA:
Percent Flooded: 95 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moderate mast crop.
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: Very low.
General Comments: Fair numbers of wood ducks.

Lake Conway:
Percent Flooded: 40 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Normal
Migrations/Observations: None
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks.
General Comments: Lake drawdown in progress through December. Only Pierce and Dix Creeks are open to waterfowl hunting.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS-

Bayou Meto WMA:
Upper Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Lower Vallier:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Government Cypress :
Percent Flooded: 2 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Buckingham Flats:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:
Temple Island:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments:
Halowell Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: High
Duck Abundance: Moderate to High
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Wrape Plantation :
Percent Flooded: 50 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Good
Migrations/Observations: Moderate
Duck Abundance: Moderate
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Cut-Off Creek WMA:
Open Area
Percent Flooded: 75 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Excellent
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Deep Slough is at 130.7 MSL.
Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Excellent
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

Seven Devils WMA:
Percent Flooded: 10 percent.
Habitat Conditions: Fair
Migrations/Observations: Low
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Water is too shallow for boat 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: Gadwalls, teal and a few mallards.
Duck Abundance: Few
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Arkansas River gauge at Pendleton Ferry, was 26.1 feet on Nov. 14.

Choctaw Island WMA:
Percent Flooded: River water only, with variable levels of backwater flooding.
Habitat Conditions: Fair
Migrations/Observations: Poor
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Comments: Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City was 14.1 feet on Nov. 14.

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA:
Percent Flooded: 0 percent
Habitat Conditions: Fair
Water Levels: 53.2 feet above sea level below the Felsenthal Lock and Dam. The area will begin to flood when water levels exceed 65.0 feet above sea level.
Duck Abundance: Very few ducks have been reported.
General Comments: Ducks will begin to migrate to the area when water levels rise due to increased precipitation.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc Lake Rest Area :
Percent Flooded: 80 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good
Weather: Cloudy, raining and cool.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks.
Duck Abundance: A few mallards and wood ducks.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Lake is closed for duck hunting.

Dr. Lester Sitzes, III/Bois d’ Arc WMA:
Red Slough Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Cloudy,raining, cool.
Migrations/Observations: Few wood ducks
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Rest area completely closed for duck hunting.
Greentree Reservoir:
Percent Flooded: 5 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good mast crop, conditions should improve with rain and cooler weather.
Weather: Cloudy, raining.cool
Migrations/Observations: Some mallards and gadwall.
Duck Abundance: Poor.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Little Grassy:
Percent Flooded: Dry
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Cloudy, raining, cool
Migrations/Observations: No ducks
Duck Abundance: Poor
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Millwood Lake:
Percent Flooded: 259.90.
Habitat Conditions: Water is rising slowly.
Weather: Cloudy, raining, cool.
Migrations/Observations: Some ducks observed during aerial waterfowl count.
Duck Abundance: Moderate
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A

Sulphur River WMA:
Mercer Bayou:
Percent Flooded: 50 percent
Habitat Conditions: Water Level is stable
Weather: Some rain possible, cooler temperatures predicted.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arrived with recent cold front.
Duck Abundance: Mostly wood ducks, gadwalls, blue wing teal, green wing teal and a few mallards.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
Henry Moore Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 75 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good, seed production in the moist soil openings was good
Weather: Some rain possible, cooler temperatures predicted.
Migrations/Observations: Some new ducks arrived with recent cold front.
Duck Abundance: Aerial waterfowl survey counted a few mallards in the rest area.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-

Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA:
Percent Flooded: 70 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good moist soil plants and millet.
Weather: Slight chance of rain with mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Several thousand ducks.
Duck Abundance: 50 percent mallards and 50 percent mixed.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Should be a good opening weekend.

Arkansas River Valley:
Percent Flooded: 90 percent
Habitat Conditions: Still have a lot of beans in the field that need to be harvested and good habitat conditions.
Weather: Slight chance of rain with mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of snow geese observed the Nov. 2-3, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Fair
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Best habitat conditions prior to opening season in several years. Excellent conditions on all private land.

Dardanelle WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moist soil units are 100 percent. High-energy seeds are scattered throughout.
Weather: Slight chance of rain with overall mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of snow geese observed the Nov. 2-3, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Numbers are high on islands near the Clarksville/Spadra area with mostly gadwalls, a few mallards and an unusually high number of coots.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Habitat conditions are good. Duck numbers are up and this area should have a good opening weekend.

Ozark Pool:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Moist soil units are flooded. Good millet crop and moist soil plants.
Weather: Slight chance of rain with overall mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of snow geese observed the Nov. 2-3, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Numbers are high on Dyer Lake with mallards and green-wing teal being reported.
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Should be good opening weekend.

Dyer Lake Cells :
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good habitat conditions. Moist soil produced excellent food along with good millet crop.
Weather: Slight chance of rain, overall mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of snow geese observed the Nov. 2-3, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Excellent habitat conditions have ducks spread out over the area.

Arkansas River Pool 9:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good. Agricultural fields along the river have good water.
Weather: Slight chance of rain, overall mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of snow geese observed the Nov. 2-3, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Excellent habitat conditions have ducks spread out over the area.

Petit Jean WMA:
Percent Flooded:
Black Lands Moist Soil Units-100 percent
Slaty Crossing Moist Soil Units-100 percent
Pullen Pond-50 percent
Pond Creek-40 percent
Slaty Pond-50 percent
Santa Fe-100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Excellent hard mast crop in the timber and millet did well in Black Lands fields.
Weather: Clear skies, sunny, highs in the 50’s and lows in the 30’s for opening weekend.
Migrations/Observations: Seeing a few early arrivals, mainly divers. Species noted are ruddy, ring-necked, gadwall, canvasbacks, green-winged teal, shovelers, wood ducks, widgeon, mergansers and a few mallards.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need cold weather to push birds down.

Lake Nimrod WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Excellent hard mast crop in the timber and millet did well in field systems.
Weather: Clear skies, sunny, highs in the 50’s, and lows in the 30’s for opening weekend.
Migrations/Observations: Seeing a few early arrivals, mainly divers. Species noted are ruddy, ring-necked, gadwall, canvasbacks, green-winged teal, shovelers, wood ducks, widgeon, mergansers and a few mallards.
Duck Abundance: Good
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Need cold weather to push birds down.

Galla Creek WMA:
Percent Flooded: 100 percent
Habitat Conditions: Poor
Weather: Slight chance of rain, overall mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: None observed.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: Don’t anticipate a good opening weekend.

Johnson County Rest Area:
Percent Flooded: 60 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good moist soil units produced excellent food with a good millet crop.
Weather: Slight chance of rain, overall mild conditions.
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of snow geese have been observed, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
General Comments: No hunting.

Frog Bayou WMA:
Percent Flooded: 65 percent
Habitat Conditions: Good moist soil units produced excellent food, good millet crop,
Weather: Slight chance of rain, overall mild conditions
Migrations/Observations: Large flights of Snow Geese observed Nov. 2-3, along with a good number of ducks.
Duck Abundance: Low
Hunter Activity/Success: N/A
General Comments: N/A


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I see posts on duck numbers posted for Ark, La, & Mo. Does Ms. Post or have a survey ?

Mississippi survey was completed this week. Results will be posted on MDWFP website next week.

OK well let us know about Mississippi that is the important state at the moment.

Thanks for the info guys.