Big Lake WMA

DUCK SEASON (cont.)

4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. If not listed, up to 6 ducks of a species (such as teal) may be taken. The coot daily bag limit is 15 and the merganser daily limit is 5, which may include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.

Read more on the opening week and check on local hunting conditions in the regional waterfowl reports below:

Northeast Arkansas Waterfowl Reports

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: Water level is below gauge at BoDoc; target level is 235.5 feet with 0% now flooded.

• South Woods GTR Habitat: Mast production is fair.

Water Level: Water level is below the 7-Mile gauge; target level is 234.5 feet with 2% now flooded, lateral ditches and come borrow pits are flooded.

• Simmons Field

Habitat: Good production of millet and sedge. Native production is very good in the north, middle and south fields.

Water Level: 0% coverage.

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 2.9 feet and falling.

• Upper Island GTR Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.

Water Level: Current level is below the gauge. Target level is 269.5; 10% flooded.

• Lower Island GTR Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.

Water Level: Current level is below the gauge. Target level is 268.0; 10% flooded.

• Upper Reyno GTR Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.

Water Level: Current level is 264.55 msl. Target level is 266.9; 5% flooded.

• Lower Reyno GTR Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.

Water Level: Current level is 263.45 msl. Target level is 266.3; 5% flooded.

• Winchester GTR Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs.

Water Level: Current level is be;pw tje gauge. Target level is 263.7 msl; 5% flooded.

Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run.

• South Oliver GTR Habitat: Mast production has been good.

Water Level: 0% flooded

• 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. The 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.

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 blow the gauge with a target level of 240.0 msl; 0% flooded.

• Rainey Brake GTR Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: 0% flooded.

• Eagle Pond GTR Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: 0% flooded.

• Phase 3 Moist-Soil Unit Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: 30% flooded.

• Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: 30% flooded.

• Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: 30% flooded.

• River Field Moist-Soil Unit

Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: 30% flooded.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA

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.

• Hunt Area Habitat: Good mast production within the hunt area.

Water Level: As of Nov.

16, the reading was 211.28 feet msl.

• Snowden WRA Habitat: Mixed grasses.

Water Level: 2% flooded

• 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 0%.