The state received heavy rainfall Monday and Tuesday, but instead of 4-6 inches drenching the entire Arkansas Delta, some areas received up to 12 inches of rain while others saw 2 inches or less.

The town of DeWitt in Arkansas County received a foot of rain. George H. Dunklin Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, which is in Arkansas and Jefferson counties, was hit with 8 inches.

Mark Hooks, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife biologist supervisor in the AGFC's Monticello office, said that there were significant water level changes in Bayou Meto WMA, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge and the AGFC's Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA. The Ouachita River below Felsenthal Lock and Dam is flooding some lower areas of the Lower Ouachita WMA.

Due to flooding, Clear Lake Road is now closed. Also some roads might be impassable in Cut-Off Creek and Seven Devils WMAs. Hunters should note high-volume water conditions while hunting "The Scatters" and being around water control structures in Canon Brake and in Lower Vallier GTR.

Ducks cleared out of Missouri on Dec. 22-23, as reported by Andy Raedeke of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Snow, ice cover, northwest winds and a drastic drop in temperature in Missouri pushed mallards and other ducks into the bottomland hardwoods and flooded fields of the Arkansas Delta.

Anecdotal reports forwarded to the AGFC Waterfowl Report indicated a big jump in mallards in eastern Arkansas, especially in the Big Creek area between the White River NWR and the St. Francis National Forest, where birds were seen by waterfowlers hunting leases or private lands.

In the December waterfowl survey, delayed a week or more by terrible flying conditions and inclement weather, total ducks in the Arkansas Delta region numbered 1,136,558, with 480,846 of those being mallards. That's the best count for December mallards since 2018, but it is still slightly less than the long-term average of mallards in the survey. Total numbers and especially mallard numbers tend to jump in the Midwinter Survey.

The 60-day waterfowl season continues in Arkansas uninterrupted through Jan. 31. That includes hunting for all geese, ducks, mergansers and geese.

Air temperature raced back up to hit 70 degrees in Central Arkansas on Sunday after dropping to single digits a little more than week earlier. A mild January is forecast by the National Weather Service, and no rain of significance is expected for the rest of the week as high water subsides in the tributaries throughout the Delta region.

The agfc.com website will provide updates from the waterfowl biologist as numbers are released between now and next Wednesday.

Also, hunters should note that Arkansas's second dove season continues through Jan. 15.

North Woods GTR Mast production is good. The Bo Dock gauge currently reads 237.4. Target level is 235.7 with 100% flooded.

South Woods GTR Mast production is fair. The 7-mile gauge is currently at 236.1 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 270.3. Target level is 269.5. 100% flooded.

Lower Island GTR Moderate mast crop. Current level is 268.65. Target level is 268.65. 100% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 267.75. Target level is 266.9. 100% flooded.

Lower Reyno GTR Moderate mast crop. Water level is 267.15. Target level is 266.3. 100% flooded.

Winchester GTR Moderate mast crop. Current level is 263.75. 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 2.1 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 212.98. The level for huntable timber is 212.11.

Snowden WRA Mixed grasses are present. 20% 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 5%. Pool B is at 20%. Pool C is at 35% and Pool D is at 100%.

HENRY GRAY HURRICANE LAKE WMA

North GTR Good mast crop. The White River at Augusta on Dec. 19, was 18.3 feet and falling. The water level at Glaise Creek was 188.9. 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 216.55 feet and falling.. The water level at Glaise Creek was 189.53 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.

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. 40% flooded.

Apple Lake WRA (No Hunting) Good mast crop. 90% 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. 75% 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. 50% 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. 35% flooded.

Unit L (Cypert Tract) Fair stand of native vegetation. 10% flooded.

Unit M (Magellan Tract) Good stand of native vegetation. 100% flooded.

CRAIG D. CAMPBELL LAKE CONWAY RESERVOIR

Habitat and water levels are normal on both Pierce and Dix creeks.

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.

Hunt Area Good mast crop. 90% flooded.

Red Cut Slough Tract Unit 1 Poor habitat conditions. Water level 50%.

Unit 2 Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation. Water level 50%.

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 80%.

Harris Brake Upper Unit Good mast in the GTR. 100% flooded.

Harris Brake Lower Unit Average mast in the GTR. 20% flooded.

Hunt Area Excellent conditions. Water level N/A.

Lake Pickthorne (No hunting) WRA Excellent crop of native vegetation and millet. West Unit 85% flooded.

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%.

Little Grassy Habitat is good. Water level 100%.

MILLWOOD LAKE Habitat is good. Water level 259.39.

Mercer Bayou Habitat conditions are fair. 90% flooded.

Henry Moore WRA Closed to hunting. 60% flooded.

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.

Hunt Area Habitat conditions are good. Water is high. Some roads may be impassable.

Pigeon Creek WRA Habitat conditions are good. Fully flooded.

Upper Vallier GTR Good habitat. Water level 180.55 feet, full pool at 180 feet.

Lower Vallier GTR Good habitat. Water level 179.65 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. 178.75 msl. First phase of pumping completed.

Temple Island GTR Good habitat. Water level 185.28.

Canon Brake Good habitat. 178.90 msl. Full pool at 177 msl.

Halowell WRA Excellent habitat. Staggered flooding of units.

Wrape Plantation WRA Excellent habitat. Staggered flooding of units.

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.

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 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. 90% flooded.

Unit 7B Japanese millet and natural vegetation. 100% flooded.

Unit 8A Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 40% flooded.

Unit 8B Natural vegetation. 100% flooded.

Unit 8C Native vegetation. 80% 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. 75% flooded.

Turkey Pond (Unit 13A) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 80% flooded.

Turkey Pond (Unit 13B) Natural vegetation. 75% flooded.

Turkey Pond (Unit 13C) Natural vegetation and Japanese millet. 75% flooded.

Teeny Pond (Unit 14) Natural vegetation. 50% 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.

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 GTR Good stands of native vegetation and Japanese millet. 100% flooded.

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 40%.

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.

Print Headline: Arkansas waterfowl report

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