Record rainfall throughout the first part of the 2011-2012 season created abundant waterfowl habitat during a time of year that typically features dry conditions. December aerial waterfowl surveys revealed that ducks had responded to the favorable habitat conditions. But a lack of prolonged cold conditions likely prevented additional large migration events through the remainder of the season. And after a relatively dry late December and January, which caused river levels to drop for the past few weeks, most parts of the state are expected to receive up to three to four inches of rainfall during the passage of the latest weather system today and Thursday. While the rainfall may not be heavy enough to re-flood bottomland forests in time for the final weekend, it likely will mean more sheet water in agricultural fields and low-lying natural wetlands.
Conditions look relatively favorable for hunting on the season's final weekend, with overnight lows in the 30s and daytime highs in the mid 50s.
The regular duck season closes at sunset Sunday, and the state's special youth waterfowl hunt, open to hunters less than 16 years old, will take place Feb. 4-5.
While this waterfowl report seeks to provide information that is as timely as possible, hunters should keep in mind there's often a lag of two or three days between the time field reports are received and this report is published. Thus, actual water levels and percentage of flooded habitat may differ from what's reported here. The AGFC encourages hunters to check stream gauges (links are provided at the end of this report) and physically scout potential hunting areas to determine actual field conditions.
To assist waterfowl hunters with the latest information, the AGFC provides links to sources on waterfowl location and abundance in Arkansas and other states. The links are available at http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/HuntingWaterfowlReport.aspx#1.
This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season. To receive the report each week on your computer, send an e-mail to arkansasoutdoors@agfc.com and type "Waterfowl Report" in the subject line.
To assist waterfowl hunters with the latest information, the AGFC provides links to sources on waterfowl location and abundance in Arkansas and other states. The links are available at http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/HuntingWaterfowlReport.aspx#1.
Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-day-us and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.
AGFC