Dry conditions still hampering hunters

LITTLE ROCK – It’s another verse to the same sad song for Arkansas waterfowl hunters: Dry conditions are causing difficult hunting conditions across The Natural State.

While hunters with access to water have reported fair to excellent hunting in some areas, the vast majority of the state’s traditional waterfowl hunting areas remain much drier than usual. Likewise, water levels on many of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s wildlife management areas remain well below target levels.

According to the National Weather Service, much of southern and eastern Arkansas, including the traditional waterfowl wintering areas of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, remain under severe to extreme drought. Precipitation deficits are greater than 16 inches in Pine Bluff, Texarkana and El Dorado. Although some parts of eastern and southern Arkansas experienced above-average precipitation during November - leading to better moisture levels in the soil, more groundwater and better stream flows - the benefits of the November rains were reversed by below-average precipitation through the first two weeks of December, with totals of less than a quarter of an inch common in many parts of the state.

Looking ahead, the weather service forecasts better chances of rainfall in late winter (January and February), as a La Nina event strengthens. Of course, that may be too late to make a lot of difference for duck hunting this season.

However, a little drought relief could be on the way later this week, with weather service forecasters calling for rain or a mix of rain and frozen precipitation Friday night into Saturday morning. But because the front will move swiftly across the state, rainfall totals aren’t expected to be large.

AGFC observers took to the skies earlier this month for December aerial waterfowl surveys. Preliminary figures indicate an estimate of about 1.8 million total ducks in the Delta region, including about 1.2 million mallards.

“These surveys took place during a week when there was some extremely cold air in place, so I think we got a snapshot of a pretty significant influx of birds during this survey period,” said AGFC waterfowl program coordinator Luke Naylor. “Since temperatures have moderated since the survey, it’s likely some of those birds have moved out of the state since that time.”

Surveys in the Arkansas River Valley counted an estimated 28,000 ducks, mostly mallards, while surveys in southwest Arkansas estimated about 21,000 ducks, including roughly 2,400 mallards and 9,000 gadwalls, with the balance comprised of an even mix of green-winged teal and northern shovelers.

To assist waterfowl hunters with the latest information, he 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/Hu...lReport.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.

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/astron.../rs-one-day-us and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.




Northeast Arkansas
Central Arkansas East Central Arkansas
Southeast Arkansas Southwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas






Northeast Arkansas


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA

View Current Gauge Readings Upper Island GTR


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Lower Island GTR


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Upper Reyno GTR


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Lower Reyno GTR


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Winchester GTR
Good abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
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Good abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
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Good abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
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Good abundance of mast crop within the GTRs.
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Good abundance of mast crop within the GTRs. 269.5 msl
100% flooded

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268.6 msl.
100% flooded

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267.3 msl.
100% flooded.

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266.2 msl.
25% flooded

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No reading available.
50% flooded. View current weather conditions and forecast for Delaplaine, Arkansas Area Info and Map
Waterfowl hunters should be aware of hangers and submerged logs within the boat runs and GTRs. Please exercise caution when accessing the area.

Please 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.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Adam’s Brake GTR

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Rainey Brake GTR

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Phase III
Moist-soil Unit
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Charles Crisp
Moist-soil Unit
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Ward Field
Moist-soil Unit
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River Field
Moist-soil Unit Good mast crop within the GTR.
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Good mast crop within the GTR.
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Good Japanese millet.

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Good Japanese millet.

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Good Japanese millet.

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Good Japanese millet. 100%

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100%

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Unit C 100%

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100%

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100%

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100%
View current weather conditions and forecast for Lynn, Arkansas
Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Hunt Area








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Snowden WRA





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Payneway WRA
There is good white and red oak acorn production in most areas within the floodways.





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There is a fair stand of beneficial wetland plants along the north and east sides of the impoundment and within the borrow areas.
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There is a fair stand of beneficial wetland plants within the borrow areas. Water levels in huntable areas are dependant on St. Francis River flows. The water level at Oak Donnick is 212.26 feet msl, and 70% of the huntable area is flooded.
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5%





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10% View current weather conditions and forecast for Trumann, Arkansas Area Info and Map
Low numbers of ducks are being reported in the area. Unusually low water levels are making boat navigation difficult. Not all portions of the river are navigable. Please use caution while boating.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
South Oliver GTR


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Thompson Tract GTR




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Lake Hogue WRA Acorn production has been good.

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Acorn production has been good.



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Smartweed and sedge are found along the edge. 10% flooded, with most water found in the natural slough.
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50% flooded, with most water found around the pipeline. The current gauge reading is 0.4 feet.
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Normal pool levels. View current weather conditions and forecast for Weiner, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Big Lake WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
North Woods GTR






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South Woods GTR






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Simmons Field Acorn production is good in the timber.





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Acorn production is good in the timber.





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A fair amount of millet, sedge, and/or fall panic grass is present, but seed production was low because of low summer rainfall. Current reading is 234.2 msl. Target water level is 235.5. Most water is located in the ditches with minimal water found in the woods.
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Current reading is 233.8 msl. Target water is 234.5. Most water is located in the ditches with minimal water found in the woods.
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90% of area has some water on it. View current weather conditions and forecast for Manila, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
When the Ditch 81 extension gauge near Manilla (upstream of 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 extremely fast, and hunters should exercise caution while on the area. Be aware of underwater logs in boat runs and hangers in trees.



Central Arkansas


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Bell Slough WMA Bell Slough GTR
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Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area
Poor mast crop.
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Volunteer millet crop along with other native vegetation. 35%
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0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Mayflower, Arkansas Area Info and Map
Waiting on more rain.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Holland Bottoms WMA Hunt Area
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Lake Pickthorne Waterfowl Rest Area Dry conditions. Good mast crop.
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Good millet crop. Low water levels in ditches and sloughs.
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The east unit is 100% flooded. View current weather conditions and forecast for Cabot, Arkansas Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Harris Brake WMA Harris Brake GTRs
Fair mast crop. Lower GTR is 100% flooded. Upper GTR is 90% flooded. View current weather conditions and forecast for Perryville, Arkansas Area Info and Map
Hunters are reporting a fair number of wood ducks and a few big ducks.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Lake Conway Pierce and Dix Creeks
Normal Normal View current weather conditions and forecast for Mayflower, Arkansas Area Info and Map


East Central Arkansas


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
North GTR


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South GTR
Good acorn crop, but dry conditions.

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Good acorn crop, but dry conditions. Water levels are extremely low. Limited hunting opportunities.
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Water levels are extremely low. Limited hunting opportunities. View current weather conditions and forecast for Bald Knob, Arkansas Area Info and Map
The only available water is the five permanent lakes, but they are extremely low.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Units A, B, & C







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Unit H (Mobility-impaired Blind)
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Units D & E


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Units F & G Units A and B are good to excellent. Approximately 300 acres were disturbed this summer and are in fair condition.

Unit C is poor
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Unit H is excellent.

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Units D and E are fair.


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Units F and G are good. Unit A is 100% inundated.

Unit B is 100% inundated.

Unit C is 100% inundated.
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Unit H is 100% inundated.
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Units D and E have some huntable water, but levels are low.
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Inundation in units F and G is dependant on the White River. No surface water at this time. View current weather conditions and forecast for Georgetown, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
20 permit holes will be available for hunting, which includes the 5 holes available through the on-line drawing.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Main WMA
Very dry with good mast crop. Water conditions along the Cache River continue to be poor. More rain is needed to improve present conditions. View current weather conditions and forecast for Cotton Plant, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Mud Slough GTR
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Apple Lake WRA
Fair mast crop.
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Poor. 0%
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15% flooded View current weather conditions and forecast for Cotton Plant, Arkansas Area Info and Map
The only available water is the permanent lakes and Robe Bayou.



Southeast Arkansas


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Bayou Meto WMA Upper Vallier GTR
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Lower Vallier GTR
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Government Cypress GTR
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Buckingham Flats GTR
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Temple Island GTR
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Halowell WRA
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Wrape Plantation WRA Bottomland hardwoods.
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Bottomland hardwoods.
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Bottomland hardwoods.

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Bottomland hardwoods.
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Bottomland hardwoods.
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Moist soil plants.
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Moist soil plants. 9%
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8%
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8%

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100%
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65%
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75%
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50% View current weather conditions and forecast for Humphrey, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
The Brett Morgan Halowell Reservoir Waterfowl Rest Area is holding approximately 24,000 ducks. The Wrape Plantation Waterfowl Rest Area is holding approximately 5,000 ducks.


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Cut-Off Creek WMA Hunt Area

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Pigeon Creek Waterfowl Rest Area
Bottomland hardwoods with a fair acorn crop.
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Bottomland hardwoods with a fair acorn crop. 10%

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0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Collins, Arkansas Area Info and Map
No pumpable water for Pigeon Creek Waterfowl Rest Area.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Seven Devils Swamp WMA Cypress and tupelo bottoms with open areas in good condition. 5% View current weather conditions and forecast for Collins, Arkansas Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Trusten Holder WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Arkansas River Below Pendleton Bridge, including Post Lake, Merrisach Lake and Moore’s Bayou.
Hardwood river bottoms with excellent mast crop. Pendleton Bridge gauge is 26.3 feet. View current weather conditions and forecast for Yancopin, Arkansas Area Info and Map
River water only with variable levels of backwater flooding.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area
View Current Gauge Readings
Mississippi River
River bottoms Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City is at 10.1 feet. View current weather conditions and forecast for Arkansas City, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
River water only with variable levels of backwater flooding.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA Bottomland hardwoods. Fair to good mast crop. 0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Huttig, Arkansas Area Info and Map



Southwest Arkansas


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’ Arc WMA Bois d’ Arc Lake WRA
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Red Slough WRA
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GTR
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Little Grassy Closed to hunting.
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Closed to hunting.
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Few ducks.
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Few ducks. 100%
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5%
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75%
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0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Texarkana, Arkansas Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Millwood Lake
View Current Gauge Readings
Habitat conditions fair to good. Lake level is at 255.62. Normal water level is 259.20. View current weather conditions and forecast for Texarkana, Arkansas Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Sulphur River WMA Mercer Bayou


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Henry Moore WRA Fair because of fluctuating water level and late summer rain.
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Closed to hunting. 1 foot below normal pool.

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10% flooded. View current weather conditions and forecast for Texarkana, Arkansas Area Info and Map



Northwest Arkansas


Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA Willow Island
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Little Hole
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Red Gate
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Pig Trough
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Cedar Ridge
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Duck Trap
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Salt Lick
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Bobby’s Pond
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Race Track
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Controversy Corner
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Remmel Marsh
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Mud Pond
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Turkey Pond

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Teeny Pond Natural vegetation
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Natural vegetation
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Natural vegetation
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Millet
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Millet
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Natural vegetation
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Millet
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Natural vegetation
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Natural vegetation
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Natural vegetation
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Millet
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Natural vegetation
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Millet and natural vegetation
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Natural vegetation 0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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80%
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80%
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0%
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0%

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0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Blackwell, Arkansas

Area Info and Map
Most impoundments are not flooded because of dry conditions. All moist-soil units have relatively good stands of productive moist-soil plants for waterfowl forage.



Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Petit Jean River WMA
View Current Gauge Readings
Santa Fe GTR
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Olin Cain MSU

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Blacklands MSU


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Slaty Crossing MSUs
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Pullen Pond
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Pond Creek GTR
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Slaty Pond GTR
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Black Lands Duck Area
Good mast crop.
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Japanese and brown top millet.
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Japanese and brown top millet along with native grasses.
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Native grasses.
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See comments.
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Good mast crop.
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Good mast crop.
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Good mast crop, brown top millet and native grasses. 0%
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30%

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40%


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100%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Ola, Arkansas
Area Info and Map
The Petit Jean River level at Centerville has fallen to 2.36. Kingfisher Lake pipe excavation will begin soon and may cause problems with hunter access to the Black Lands Duck Area.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Galla Creek WMA Galla Creek GTR
Buttonbush and smartweed. 100% View current weather conditions and forecast for Pottsville, Arkansas Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Frog Bayou WMA Unit 1



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Unit 2



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Unit 3



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Unit 4



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Unit 5

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Unit 6


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Unit 7 Good stand of barnyard grass, some volunteer Japanese millet and sprangletop.
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Heavy stand of perennial rushes and sedges.


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Heavy stand of perennial vegetation, some smartweed, beakrush and nutsedge.
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Heavy stand of perennial vegetation, some smartweed and nutsedge.
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Good stand of Japanese millet.
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Primarily sprangletop, toothcup, beakrush and some smartweed.
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Planted corn. Unit 1 is full.



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Unit 2 is rainfall dependant and will need more rainfall to fill.
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Unit 3 is full.



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Unit 4 is full.



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Unit 5 is full.

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Unit 6 is full.


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Unit 7 is rainfall dependant and will need more rainfall to fill. View current weather conditions and forecast for Alma, Arkansas
Area Info and Map

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Lloyd Millwood Nimrod WMA Nimrod GTR
Poor mast crop, but good native grass production. 0% View current weather conditions and forecast for Plainview, Arkansas Area Info and Map
Nimrod Lake level is at 337.28 msl.

There is no longer a waterfowl rest area on Lake Nimrod.

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Ozark Pool

Dyer Lake Cells
Dyer cells that can be pumped are 100% flooded; others are rainfall dependant. View current weather conditions and forecast for Dyer, Arkansas

Area Impoundment Habitat Water Levels Weather Comments
Dardanelle WMA

Johnson County WRA
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McKennon Bottoms
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Potter’s Pothole/Hartman Waterfowl Unit
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100%
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100% View current weather conditions and forecast for Clarksville, Arkansas Area Info and Map