Dec. 22, 2021
Jim Harris Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
Rain Improves Some Public Access Hunting Areas
LITTLE ROCK – The rain over the past weekend helped spark some water rise in various huntable areas of the state for waterfowlers this week. There is water in parts of George H. Dunklin Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, though that's also attracted significant hunters who've been waiting for "the Scatters" to have huntable water. The White River near Augusta was rising this week with the expectations that there would be water for this weekend in Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA too. There's even a little water in southwest Arkansas in Mercer Bayou, finally.
This week, duck season is open until Friday, closing for the Christmas holiday Friday and Saturday before reopening 30 minutes before sunrise Sunday, Dec. 26. That will mark the last break in the 60-day season through Jan. 31.
Big Lake WMA had such a surge of water, it was closed to deer hunting at midweek this week. Duck hunters will find 100% coverage of the North Woods and South Woods greentree reservoirs, and Simmons Field also is now 100% covered. Simmons Field has good production of millet and sedge this year. Native production is good in the north, middle and south fields. Dave Donaldson Black River WMA has 100% coverage throughout now. Shirey Bay Rainey Brake is seeing nearly all its GTRs with 100% coverage. AGFC biologists report a few ducks moving through the northeast region.
The Bell Slough GTR in central Arkansas zoomed up to full water coverage over the past week. Also in central Arkansas, Cypress Bayou's Red Cut Slough Units 3-6 have huntable water.
Recent rainfall events have slightly improved conditions on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA in the Arkansas River Valley, and pumping of
waterfowl impoundments continues with good water in Point Remove Creek. However, according to biologists there, duck use and hunter success on the WMA have remained generally poor.
The majority of ducks surveyed in the Arkansas River Valley two weeks ago seemed focused on the Lake Dardanelle area. River hunters are likely having the best success there.
Frog Bayou WMA continues to have nice water coverage over most units for western and northwest Arkansas waterfowlers. In the southwest region, the AGFC's Eley Talley says, "There is very limited improvements in water levels after the weekend rain and no new ducks. BUT it finally got the ground wet so the next rain should make some headway."
The White River at August was forecast to top 28 feet by Friday of this week. As of Wednesday, though, Glaise Creek in the Hurricane WMA was at 188.5 feet and needed to hit 192 for Hurricane to be at “full pool” and water to reach throughout the huntable areas. This year, in both the North and South units of Hurricane WMA, water is being allowed to flow freely through the WMA and no boards will be put in place. As long as Glaise Creek is at 192 feet msl or higher, the WMA has full coverage. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07074888 to get a real-time water reading of Glaise Creek.
In Bayou Meto, the Upper Vallier tailwater/Lower Vallier headwater was at 178.2 feet msl on Wednesday. A good rule of thumb for comparing water levels to access into Bayou Meto: 176 feet msl – water breaking into sloughs and lower ditches; 177-177.5 – water beginning to break out of sloughs and lower ditches; 178 feet msl – water in most sloughs and ditches and entering into lower elevations in woods; 178.5 feet msl – most ditches and sloughs deep enough and sloughs deep enough to boat and most boat ramps are serviceable; 179 feet msl and above – good duck hunting waters.
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There were an estimated 350,000 greater white-fronted geese (specklebellies) in the Delta during the early December aerial survey by AGFC waterfowl staff. We explained in last week's Waterfowl Report why geese counts are considered not quite as accurate as the duck estimates, but it's obvious to anyone who has been hunting the Delta since late October that the state is seeing a good number of specks, and now there are nearly 1 million estimated lesser geese (snows and Ross's) on the Delta horizon as well, according to estimates.
More successful goose hunting was still occurring throughout the state, and not just the Delta, over the past weekend, according to anecdotal reports to the Waterfowl Report. Some good goose numbers have been seen along with a few ducks on some WRICE fields available through the AGFC's online draw system for each weekend.
* * *
Waterfowlers have a rebuilt access onto the White River in Monroe County with the reopening of the Maddox Bay access. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the AGFC last week completed the new boating access at Maddox Bay, an oxbow of the White River and a historic fishing and hunting hot spot.
For years, anglers and hunters could put in at the old Maddox Bay Landing for a small fee, which helped keep the local bait shop open. Not only was this access for excellent bass, crappie and catfish angling, but it was the best way to access a portion of Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. However, the bait shop closed in 2017 and since that time, landowners along the lake were the only people with access to the bay unless the White River rose enough to allow boats to cross into the oxbow’s upper and lower reaches.
“The nearest ramp to Maddox Bay was 8 miles away at Preston’s Ferry or St. Charles, but those are straight-line distances. Following the bends of the river and access routes, the journey was actually longer than that,” Justin Homan, AGFC fisheries supervisor for east Arkansas, said. “You could get in from the White River if the water was high enough, but the old access was immediately missed by local anglers as well as some who traveled from other parts of the state.”
When the old access closed, the AGFC and USFWS went to work looking for ways to reconnect anglers and hunters. The new access, a couple of miles south of the old bait shop, was constructed on the Kansas Lake portion of the refuge.
“The Kansas Lake area is closed to access from Dec. 1 until the end of February, but (the USFWS) moved the gate to allow passage to this boat ramp for year-round use,” Homan said. “The (USFWS) had to build a new gravel road going to the spot, but they were able to build up an old roadbed and place some culverts to create it.”
At the end of the new road, construction crews placed a gravel parking area that is more than 1 acre. A gravel boat ramp also was placed at the site during the construction of the road and parking lot, and last week the AGFC completed improving that ramp with a 250-foot concrete boat ramp.
The project was approved for Marine Fuel Tax Money in February 2020. Marine fuel taxes are collected on gasoline and diesel fuel used in boats throughout Arkansas. The money is held by the Arkansas Department of Transportation and is distributed through a partnership between the AGFC and ArDOT.
Matching funds are required to complete grants through MFT funds, and the USFWS used labor, materials and equipment as matching funds equaling $86,000 to complete the $280,000 MFT grant. The AGFC then allocated an additional $55,000 to improve the ramp with concrete.
To reach the new access, take Arkansas Highway 17 South out of Holly Grove, then turn onto Highway 146 West and proceed 1.4 miles and take a left onto Lower Maddox Bay Road. Follow the road as it turns south then west, then south again until you reach the entrance to the new gravel road, about 3 miles from the highway. The new access is three-quarters of a mile further south from that junction. Click here for a Google Map of the location.
* * *
Remember that to participate or land a permit for either the AGFC's managed waterfowl areas that offer permit hunting or to enter the drawing for an Arkansas WRICE program field for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 1-2, you'll need to apply this week between Thursday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at midnight. This also includes permitted days on WMAs during the week of Jan. 4-6. Permit hunts are offered on Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, the Red Cut Slough tract at Cypress Bayou WMA, the Conway George tract at Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA and Freddie Black Choctaw Island West Unit WMA. And AGFC has up to 45 privately owned flooded rice fields available to hunt by permit through its special duck hunting application process via the Arkansas WRICE program. Most of the landowners in the WRICE program who had blinds on-site have upgraded the blinds for a better hunting experience.
Visit https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl/special-waterfowl-permit-hunts to learn more about these special duck-hunting opportunities and to apply.
Northeast Arkansas
Big Lake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
When the Ditch 81 extension gauge near Manila (upstream of the Big Lake north-end control structure) reads 17.5 feet, water is beginning to come over the north levee degrade on Big Lake WMA. When the Ditch 81 Extension gauge reads 18.0 feet or higher, the water level on the WMA will rise quickly and hunters should exercise caution while on the area. Be aware of underwater logs in boat runs and hangers in trees.
North Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: Gauge reading at BoDoc on Monday was 236.0 feet msl; target level is 235.5 feet with 100% flooded.
South Woods GTR
Habitat: Mast production is fair.
Water Level: Reading at the 7-Mile gauge on Monday was 234.89 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet with 100% now flooded.
Simmons Field
Habitat: Good production of millet and sedge. Native production is good in the north, middle and south fields.
Water Level: 100% coverage.
Reports of a few ducks moving across the area.
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. Please remember to keep boats off the levees so AGFC personnel can access the area. Boats blocking access will be moved. Unattended trailers are not to be left overnight on parking areas. River level is 10.59 feet and rising.
Upper Island GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 270.4 feet msl. Target level is 269.5; 100% flooded.
Lower Island GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 268.9 feet msl. Target level is 268.0; 100% flooded.
Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 267.85 feet msl. Target level is 266.9; 100% flooded.
Lower Reyno GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 267.3 msl. Target level is 266.3; 100% flooded.
Winchester GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 263.85 feet msl. Target level is 263.7; 100% flooded.
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run.
South Oliver GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 10% flooded. Most water is located within the natural slough on the north end of this GTR.
Thompson Tract GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 0% flooded. The Thompson Tract GTR will be allowed to rise and fall naturally without the gates being operated beginning with this season. This action is an effort to help the next generation of forest.
Lake Hogue WRA
Habitat: Primarily deep open water habitat.
Water Level: Normal pool level.
Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area. In addition, hunters should allow safe passage when parking vehicles along roadsides. Vehicles blocking access will be moved.
Adam Brake GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: Water level is 238.9 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 feet msl; 60% flooded.
Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 100% flooded.
Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 95% flooded.
Phase III Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 75% flooded.
Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 100% flooded.
Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 100% flooded.
River Field Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 100% flooded.
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunt Area
Habitat: Good mast production within the hunt area.
Water Level: Water levels on St. Francis Sunken Lands for waterfowl season are dependent on flows from the St. Francis River. The target level for providing huntable timber is 212.0 feet msl at the Oak Donnick gauge. As of Dec. 20, the reading was 214.38 feet msl.
Snowden WRA
Habitat: Mixed grasses.
Water Level: 10% flooded, mostly in the low-lying areas due to rain.
Payneway WRA
Habitat: A, B, C and D pools have mixed smartweed and barnyard grasses. Moderate mast is available within pools A, B and C as well.
Water Level: Pool A is at 0% coverage. Pool B is at 0%. Pool C is at 0%. Pool D is at 5%.
East-Central Arkansas
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures.
North Unit
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: The White River at Augusta is projected to reach 25 feet by Friday, Dec. 24. All structures on the North GTR will remain open during the 2021-22 season.
South Unit
Habitat: Fair mast crop.
Water Level: The White River at Augusta is projected to reach 25 feet by Friday, Dec. 24. All structures on the South Unit are open.
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures.
Gregory GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 75% (Cache River at Patterson is forecast to reach 9.5 feet by Thursday, Dec. 23).
Wiville Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 10% coverage.
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
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. All ages may apply for Wednesday hunts. Please visit www.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 be putting boards in at Dagmar. Water coverage is dependent on river level.
Mud Slough GTR
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 0% coverage.
Apple Lake WRA (no hunting)
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 30%.
Conway George Waterfowl Unit A
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Conway George Waterfowl Unit B
Habitat: Natural slough area with beneficial native wetland plants.
Water Level: 100%
Conway George Waterfowl Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 1
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 50%
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 30%
Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
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.
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Unit A
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 90% coverage.
Unit B
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 70%
Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 85%
Unit D
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 85%
Unit E
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 85%
Unit F (Youth Area)
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit G
Habitat: Fair stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Unit H (Mobility-impaired blind)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Unit I
Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 0%
Unit J (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
Unit K (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 10%
Unit L (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Fair stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Unit M (Magellan Tract)
Habitat: Fair stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 60%
Central Arkansas
Bell Slough WMA
Map | Weather Report
The Bell Slough GTR is primarily rainfall dependent with the exception of a limited amount of water that the AGFC can back in and catch from Palarm Creek.
Bell Slough GTR
Habitat: Poor mast crop.
Water Level: 100%.
Palarm Creek WRA
Habitat: Fair stand of planted millet.
Water Level: 85%
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
Map | Weather Report
Habitat and water levels are normal on both Pierce and Dix creeks.
Cypress Bayou WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat:
Good mast crop.
Water Level: 60% coverage.
Red Cut Slough Tract
Unit 1
Habitat:
Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 0%
Unit 2
Habitat:
Excellent stand of millet and native vegatation
Water Level: 0%
Unit 3
Habitat:
Good stand of millet and native vegatation
Water Level: 85%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 55%
Unit 5
Habitat:
Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 85%
Unit 6
Habitat:
Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 75%
Harris Brake WMA
Upper GTR
Habitat: Below average mast crop.
Water Level: 100%.coverage,
Lower GTR
Habitat: Below average mast crop.
Water Level: 100% coverage. Water is over Steamboat Road.
Holland Bottoms WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 5% coverage.
Lake Pickthorne WRA (no hunting)
Habitat: Excellent crop of native vegetation and millet.
Water Level: East cell is 90%, West cell is 100%. Staggered flooding began Nov. 9.
Northwest Arkansas
Dardanelle WMA
McKennon Bottoms (half-day hunting)
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100% coverage
Potter's Pothole Hartman Waterfowl Unit (half-day hunting)
Habitat: West cell has a good stand of Japanese millet. East cell has a poor stand of Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100% coverage
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA
Recent rainfall events have slightly improved conditions on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA, and pumping of
waterfowl impoundments continues.
Duck use and hunter success on the WMA have remained generally poor.
Little Hole (Unit 1)
Habitat: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 80% flooded.
Willow Island (Unit 2)
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 25%
Red Gate (Unit 3)
Habitat: Natural vegetation
Water Level: 60%
Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 40%
Cedar Ridge (Unit 6)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 80%
Unit 7a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
Unit 7b
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Duck Trap (Units 8a, 8b and 8c)
8a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 80%
8b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
8c
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 70%
Unit 9
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%
Controversy Corner (Unit 10)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 65%
Remmel Marsh
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 50%
Mud Pond (Unit 12)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 90%
Turkey Pond (Units 13a, 13b and 13c)
13a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 40%
13b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
13c
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 60%
Teeny Pond (Unit 14)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 0%
Salt Lick (Unit 15)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 55%
Bobby's Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 65%
Race Track (Unit 17)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Frog Bayou WMA (half-day hunting)
Unit 1
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100% coverage
Unit 2
Habitat: Poor stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 25% or less flooded.
Unit 3
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and planted millet.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good stand of moistl-soil vegetation and planted millet
Water Level: 100%
Unit 5
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation on the upper end, lower end has been fallow-disked.
Water Level: 100%
Unit 6
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 50%, and pumping will resume after repairs are made to the pump.
Unit 7
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100%
Galla Creek WMA
Galla Creek GTR
Habitat: Good stands of native vegetation, including a mixture of barnyard grass, annual smartweeds and sprangletop.
Water Level: 65% flooded. Staged flooding of the impoundment began on Nov. 15.
Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA
Nimrod GTR
Habitat: The red oak mast crop is poor this year but the desirable native vegetation growth is better than in previous years. 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 on Nov. 17. This area is rainfall dependent to flood.
Water Level: 10% flooded
Ozark Lake WMA/Dyer Lake Water Unit
Dyer Lake Cells (half-day hunting)
Units 1 and 2
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and planted millet
Water Level: 100% coverage for both units
Unit 3 South Cell
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation and volunteer millet\
Water Level: 10% coverage
Unit 4 West Cell (rainfall dependent)
|Habitat: Poor stand of moist-soil vegetation
Dyer West Cell: Less than 25% coverage
Petit Jean River WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Sorehead Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, this unit was not able to grow any food this year. Work is still ongoing as long as this area stays dry. The Kingfisher Lake water-control structure valve was opened on Nov. 17 to help flood this area.
Water Level: 50%
Blacklands Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: This unit this year contains one of the best stands of desirable native vegetation in recent years. The wooded areas inside the unit produced a poor red oak mast crop this year. Due to abnormally dry conditions and low river levels, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The river level is still too low to properly pump.
Water Level: 20%.
Slaty Crossing Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, this unit was not able to grow a desirable native vegetation crop this year. The area was seeded with millet after the project was completed. The area yielded a great stand of planted millet. Due to abnormally dry conditions and low river levels, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The pump was started on Nov. 17 but will not be run continuously this year due to the lack of adequate water in the river.
Water Level: 95%
Blacklands Duck Area
Habitat: The wooded sections of this area produced a poor red oak mast crop this year. This area also contains a mix of moderate to great stands of desirable native vegetation mixed throughout. The Kingfisher Lake water-control structure valve was opened on Nov. 17 to help flood this area.
Water Level: 60%
Pullen Pond Marsh
Habitat: Due to ongoing waterfowl habitat enhancement projects, parts of the central section of this area is bare ground. Most of the area has amazing stands of desirable native vegetation. The desirable native vegetation has started to become more and more prevalent with each year of ongoing management work. Work is still ongoing until the area becomes too wet to work. This area is rainfall dependent to flood.
Water Level: 5%.
Pond Creek GTR
Habitat: This area produced a poor red oak mast crop this year with good stands of desirable native vegetation in the open lands within this area. 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 on Nov. 16. This area is rainfall dependent to flood.
Water Level: 0%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.
Slaty GTR
Habitat: This area produced a poor red oak mast crop this year with good stands of desirable native vegetation in the open lands within this area. Due to abnormally dry conditions, this area is not expected to fill up as fast as in previous years. The water-control structure was closed on Nov. 16.
Water Level: 0%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.
Santa Fe GTR
Habitat: This area produced a lpoor red oak mast crop this year with good stands of desirable native vegetation in the open lands within this area. 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 on Nov. 16.
Water Level: 0%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.
Southwest Arkansas
Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc WMA
Bois d'Arc Lake WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: Normal
Red Slough WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 50% coverage.
GTR
Habitat: Good mast production.
Water Level: 60%. Water control structures were closed Dec. 1.
Little Grassy
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 60%
Millwood Lake
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Millwood is at 259.3 feet msl as of Dec. 21
Ozan WMA
Flooding of all units is rainfall dependent.
Unit 1
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 2
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 3
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 4
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Unit 5
Habitat: Good
Water Level: 0%
Sulphur River WMA
Mercer Bayou
Habitat: Fair
Water Level: 20%
Henry Moore WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 60%
Southeast Arkansas
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA
Map | Weather Report
Water Level: No duck-hunting water. Water is available in the oxbow lakes located in the WMA.
Cut-Off Creek WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Some water in low areas only.
Pigeon Creek WRA
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Pumping as water conditions allow.
Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat conditions are good. Flooding is river dependent. Click on the Water Gauge link above for current Mississippi River levels. Use extreme caution when boating in river.
The Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA West Unit allows weekend permit hunting for youths (one adult per youth hunter); on Wednesdays, all ages may apply for a permit to hunt the blinds in the West Unit. Currently, the area is dry and there have been no online draws for the West Unit.
George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
The UGSG is reporting real-time water gauge readings at the headwater at each GTR within the George H. Dunklin Bayou Meto WMA. Click the Water Gauge link above for the WMA, and search for the particular GTR as noted.
During the 2021-22 wintering period, all intentional flooding will be held at 179 feet msl, an elevation that will relieve stress on many of trees such as red oaks that are showing signs of distressed. Rain and increased flow into the WMA will allow water to rise above that level periodically, but artificial flooding will be stopped at the 179 feet msl mark. A good rule of thumb for comparing water levels to access into Bayou Meto: 176 feet msl – water breaking into sloughs and lower ditches; 177-177.5 feet msl – water beginning to break out of sloughs and lower ditches; 178 feet msl – water in most sloughs and ditches and entering into lower elevations in woods; 178.5 feet msl – most ditches and sloughs deep enough to boat and most boat ramps become serviceable; 179 feet msl or above – good duck hunting waters.
Upper Vallier GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Upper Vallier Headwater)
Lower Vallier GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Lower Vallier Headwater).
Government Cypress GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Government Cypress Headwater)
Buckingham Flats GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: Pumping as water conditions allow. See Gauge Link (Buckingham Flats Headwater).
Temple Island GTR
Habitat: Good
Water Level: Pumping as water conditions allow. See Gauge Link (Temple Island Headwater).
Canon Brake
Habitat: Good
Water Level: See Gauge Link (Canon Brake Headwater).
Halowell WRA
Habitat: Excellent
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units.
Wrape Plantation WRA
Habitat: Excellent
Water Level: Staggered flooding of units.
Seven Devils WMA
Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Some water in lower areas and getting a little higher in the west boat ditch.
Trusten Holder WMA
Map | Water Gauge | Weather Report
Habitat conditions are good. Flooding is river dependent. Click on the Water Gauge link above for current Arkansas River levels.