Youth hunt this weekend

Northeast Arkansas hunters reporting low numbers this season

By Randy Zellers

AGFC Communications

Youth Waterfowl Hunters Have a Day to Themselves For the first time in several waterfowl hunting seasons, the first Special Youth Hunt day in Arkansas will be one in which the youths get all the hunting to themselves. Saturday, Dec. 2, is the first of two Special Youth Hunts for the 2023-24 season for youths under 16. The second one, set for Feb. 3 after the close of this 60-day regular waterfowl, will be paired with the annual Veterans and Active Duty Military special hunt day.

The regular duck hunting season remains closed to the rest of the hunting public until Saturday, Dec. 9, one of two splits in Arkansas's 60-day season. Outside of the youth hunt, waterfowl will be enjoying a respite of 12 days from hunters’ pursuit.

Youths 15 and under were allowed to apply for a Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program hunting permit last week to hunt one of about 50 fields available throughout the Delta and west-central regions of the state, as well as the regular youth blinds that are made available by permit for hunting in Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA and Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA. Without those permits, youths will still have plenty of public land options at all of the AGFC's WMAs managed for waterfowl (see the habitat conditions and water levels below), including the rest of Raft Creek Bottoms beyond the one permitted youth blind.

The hunting is open from 30 minutes before sunrise Saturday to sunset, and that includes WMAs that typically require hunters off the water by midday. Hunting is open to ducks, geese, mergansers and coots statewide and all applicable daily bag limits apply.

Youths who have not completed the Hunter Education course may take along a mentor 21 and over who may call and help retrieve the ducks but cannot hunt.

Northeast Arkansas Waterfowl Report

While youths have all the hunting to themselves, they may be facing what all hunters have witnessed since opening day: very dry conditions. Several reporting stations around the state indicating water levels were dropping. However, some of the WMAs have improved conditions over the initial nine days of hunting, with what nearby water is available being pumped or diverted into the hunting areas.

— 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 WMAwill rise quickly and hunters should exercise caution while on the area. Be aware of underwater logs in boat runs and hangers in trees. Some ducks are moving through the area.

• North Woods GTR — Habitat: Mast production is good.

Water Level: Bo Dock guage currently reads 235.5 feet msl; target level is 235.5 feet with 100% flooded.

• South Woods GTR — Habitat: Mast production is fair.

Water Level: The 7-Mile gauge is currently at 234.5 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet with 100% flooded.

• Simmons Field — Habitat: Good production of millet and sedge. Native production is very good in the north, middle and south fields with 5 acres of millet planted in the north field. All fields were rolled with a cleated roller in April.

Water Level: 80% coverage.

Dave Donaldson Black RiverWMA — 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 9.74 feet msl and expected to rise.

• Upper Island GTR — Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs. Water Level: Current level is 270.1 feet msl. Target level is 269.5 feet msl. 100% flooded.

• Lower Island GTR — Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs. Water Level: Current level is 268.825 feet msl. Target level is 268.0 feet msl. 100% flooded.

• Upper Reyno GTR — Habitat: Mast crop is moderate within the GTRs. Water Level: Current level is 267.65

See DUCKS, page A9

Photo courtesy of AGFC DUCKS

From page A8

feet msl. Target level is 266.9 feet msl. 100% flooded.

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

Water Level: Current level is 266.975 feet msl Target level is 266.3 feet msl.

100% flooded.

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

Water Level: Water level is 263.75 feet msl; target level is 263.7 feet msl.

100% flooded.

— Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run. A few ducks are moving through the area.

• South Oliver GTR — Habitat: Mast production has been good. Water Level: 10% flooded with a current gauge reading of 0.0 foot. Water is located within the natural sloughs.

• Thompson Tract GTR — Habitat: Mast production is good. Water Level: 25% flooded with a current gauge reading of 0.7 foot.

• Lake Hogue WRA — Habitat: Primarily deep open water habitat. Water Level: Normal pool level.

Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA — 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 238.7 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 msl. 50% flooded.

• Rainey Brake GTR — Habitat: Mast production is good. Water Level: 95% 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: 25% flooded.

• Charles Crisp Moist-Soil Unit — Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation. Water Level: 60% flooded.

• Ward Field Moist-Soil Unit — Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: 75% flooded.

• River Field Moist-Soil Unit — Habitat: Good wetland-type vegetation.

Water Level: 75% flooded.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA—

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 Nov. 30, levels were 213.76 feet msl.

Snowden WRA — Habitat: Mixed grasses. Water Level: 0% 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%.