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Overview

Arkansas Wildlife Waterfowl Report

BY Jim Harris

ON 01-05-2022

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Jan. 5, 2022

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Rain Brings Better News to Public Duck Hunting Areas 

LITTLE ROCK – The New Year’s Day rainfall and other rain events of the past week have brought many of Arkansas’s public waterfowl hunting areas up to levels needed to draw ducks.

Recent rainfall events have greatly improved conditions on Ed Gordon Point Remove Wildlife Managementa Area near Morrilton, and all waterfowl impoundments are at or near full pool. Duck use on the WMA has been low to moderate, and hunter success has improved at times to fair, according to Alex Zachary, the superintendent at Ed Gordon.

AGFC biologist Jacob Bokker reports that several units in Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA are at 100 percent water coverage. The Magellan Tract of Raft Creek Bottoms, which was added to the managed hunting land last year, was at 80 percent coverage earlier this week. The Gregory greentree reservoir in Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA had 70 percent  water coveraged. The Cache River at Patterson was just over 9 feet and rising on Tuesday.

Northeast Arkansas is getting wetter. After a dry first half of the season, Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA is seeing ample water coverage, according to AGFC’s Terence Teel. The South Oliver greentree reservoir had just a smattering of water for several weeks but is now 70 percent covered. Most of the water is located within the natural slough on the north end of the GTR. The Thompson Tract GTR, which this season is being allowed to rise and fall naturally without operation of the gates so as to help with the regeneration of the forest, is 90 percent flooded as of Monday. Meanwhile, there are places in Big Lake WMA and at Dave Donaldson Black River WMA where the water is so high that the gauges cannot be read, and all managed units in both those WMAs have 100 percent coverage.

The White River at Augusta was over 28 feet on Tuesday, and expected to crest at 30 feet this week, meaning there is plenty of duck hunting water in much of Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA. On the other hand, deer hunting there was closed. The water is less than a foot from covering the Glaise Creek levee and road, at more than 191 feet on Wednesday (192 feet is when water covers the road).

George H. Dunklin Bayou Meto WMA in southeastern Arkansas continues to approach good duck hunting conditions in terms of water. Government Cypress’s water gauge reading on Tuesday night was slightly above 179 feet msl, which indicates good duck hunting conditions there. Lower Vallier and Upper Vallier water levels were still slightly below 179 feet, but hunting conditions reportedly are very good in Lower Vallier.

Three of the six units in Red Cut Slough at Cypress Bayou Wildlife Management area near Beebe have 100 percent water coverage as of earlier this week, and another unit (6) has 75 percent coverage, according to the AGFC’s Bokker. Even the two driest units (1 and 2) through duck season now have a little water on them, 10 percent. Red Cut Slough hunting is available via permit, and for weekends hunters must acquire the permit through the AGFC’s online draw system (winners have both Saturday and Sunday to hunt). Tuesday and Thursday hunting is available by permits obtained onsite. Cypress Bayou has some huntable water and is available all week without a permit.

* * *

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. 15-16, 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. 18-20. 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.

The numbers of applicants per WRICE field through the Jan. 8-9 weekend are now available with a link on that page as well, with the most popular fields among applicants on average being the Jefferson County Humphrey B and Jefferson County Wabbeseka A fields. Almost 250 applicants have parcipated on average each week in the WRICE permit draws, with this upcoming weekend drawing the most applicants of the season, 289. for 44 available fields. The 2021-22 WRICE Weekly Application Numbers link also includes locations for each field being used this year and more information, such as if the blind can be accessed by all-terrain vehicle.

* * *

In the photo at top, a drone captures the scene of ducks using a field that finally has some standing water after a long dry spell fell over Arkansas through much of the waterfowl season. Rains on New Year’s Day brought much needed water to public hunting areas as well.


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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 unreadable, water level is above gauge; 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 237.4 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet with 100% 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 as of Monday was 12.47 feet and rising.

Upper Island GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Gauge is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 269.5; 100% flooded.

Lower Island GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Gauge is inaccessible due to high water. Target level is 268.0; 100% flooded.

Upper Reyno GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 268.6 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 268.5 msl. Target level is 266.3; 100% flooded.

Winchester GTR
Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.
Water Level: Current level is 265.35 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: 70% 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: 90% 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 240.7 feet msl with a target level of  240.0 feet msl; 100% flooded.

Rainey Brake GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 100% flooded.

Eagle Pond GTR
Habitat: Mast production is good.
Water Level: 100% flooded.

Phase III Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.
Water Level: 95% 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 Jan. 3, the reading was 215.0 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 5%. Pool C is at 5%. Pool D is at 15%.

 

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 as of Jan. 4 was 28.6 feet and rising. 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 as of Jan. 4 was 28.6 feet and rising. 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: 70% (Cache River at Patterson was at 9.06 feet as of Jan. 4 and rising.

Wiville Moist-Soil Unit
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 40% 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: 50%.

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: 100%

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 2
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 50%

Dark Corner Waterfowl Unit 3
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%


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: 100% coverage.

Unit B
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit C
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit D 
Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 95%

Unit E
Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 95%

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: 95%

Unit K (Cypert Tract)
Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 25%

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: 80%

 

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: 100%


Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Map | Weather Report
Habitat and water levels are normal on both Pierce and Dix creeks.


Cypress Bayou WMA

Map| Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat:

Good mast crop.
Water Level: 60% coverage.

Red Cut Slough Tract
Unit 1
Habitat:

Habitat conditions are poor.
Water Level: 10%

Unit 2
Habitat:

Excellent stand of millet and native vegatation
Water Level: 10%

Unit 3
Habitat:

Good stand of millet and native vegatation
Water Level: 100%

Unit 4
Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit 5
Habitat:

Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit 6
Habitat:

Good stand of native vegetation.
Water Level: 75%


Harris Brake WMA

Map | Weather Report

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

Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat: Good mast crop.
Water Level: 80% coverage.

Lake Pickthorne WRA (no hunting)
Habitat: Excellent crop of native vegetation and millet.

Water Level: East cell is 100%, West cell is 100%. 

 

Northwest Arkansas

Dardanelle WMA

Map | Weather Report

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

Map | Weather Report

Recent rainfall events have greatly improved conditions on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA, and all waterfowl impoundments are at or near full pool at this time.

Duck use on the WMA has been low to moderate and hunter success been poor to fair.

Little Hole (Unit 1)
Habitat: Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100% flooded.

Willow Island (Unit 2)
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Red Gate (Unit 3)
Habitat: Natural vegetation 
Water Level: 100%

Pig Trough (Units 4 and 5)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100%

Cedar Ridge (Unit 6)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit 7a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Unit 7b
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Duck Trap (Units 8a, 8b and 8c)
8a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%

8b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%

8c
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%

Unit 9
Habitat: Japanese millet and natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Controversy Corner (Unit 10)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%

Remmel Marsh
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 90%

Mud Pond (Unit 12)
Habitat: Natural vegetation and Japanese millet.
Water Level: 100%

Turkey Pond (Units 13a, 13b and 13c)
13a
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

13b
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 90%

13c
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Teeny Pond (Unit 14)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Salt Lick (Unit 15)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Bobby’s Pond (Unit 16)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%

Race Track (Unit 17)
Habitat: Natural vegetation.
Water Level: 100%


Frog Bayou WMA (half-day hunting)

Map | Weather Report

Unit 1
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 100% coverage

Unit 2
Habitat: Poor stand of moist-soil vegetation.
Water Level: 50% 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: 80%

Unit 7
Habitat: Good stand of moist-soil vegetation. 
Water Level: 100%

Galla Creek WMA

Map | Weather Report

Galla Creek GTR
Habitat: Good stands of native vegetation, including a mixture of barnyard grass, annual smartweeds and sprangletop.
Water Level: 90% flooded. Staged flooding of the impoundment began on Nov. 15.


Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA

Map | Weather Report

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: 20% flooded


Ozark Lake WMA/Dyer Lake Water Unit

Weather Report

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: 90%

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: 30%. 

Slaty Crossing Moist-Soil Unit
HabitatDue 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. 
Water Level: 100%

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: 80%

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: 50%.

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: 10%. 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: 10%. 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: 50%. Flooding of this area is rainfall dependent.

 

Southwest Arkansas

Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc WMA

Map | Weather Report

Bois d’Arc Lake WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: Normal

Red Slough WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 60% coverage.

GTR
Habitat: Good mast production.
Water Level: 70%. 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 259.6 feet msl as of Jan. 4.


Ozan WMA

Map | Weather Report

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

Map | Weather Report

Mercer Bayou
Habitat: Fair
Water Level: 30%

Henry Moore WRA
Habitat: Closed to hunting.
Water Level: 65%

 

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

Map | Weather Report

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. 

NOTE: 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: Water at 190 feet as of Tuesday. 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

Map | Weather Report

Hunt Area
Habitat: Habitat conditions are good.
Water Level: Some water in lower areas and getting a little higher in the west boat ditch. West ditch should be boat-accessible.

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.


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