Finally more snow geese being observed in Arkansas

Waterfowl numbers creeping up across the state in recent weeks

By Jim Harris

Arkansas Wildlife Editor

Anecdotal reports from hunters and observers noted a sudden influx of lesser (snow, blue and Ross's) geese moving into the middle and southeast portions of the state over the past week.

Snow geese were seen in large numbers south of Stuttgart over the past weekend in fields along U.S. Highway 165. Greater white-fronted geese (specklebellies), which by biologists' estimated count in an early December aerial survey by the AGFC outnumbered mallards in the state, seemed to be in lower but still good numbers as the year drew to a close, according to observers.

Light geese were apparently lower in typical numbers seen during the Dec. 7-10 AGFC aerial survey, while specklebellies totaled an estimated 300,000, which were more than the estimate of mallards in the state (about 275,000) at that point. Light geese estimate numbers were 542,231.

AGFC biologists will make their second fly-over of the state for an aerial survey this season next week, with the third and final fly-over of the season slated for late January.

Central Arkansas Waterfowl Report

Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-4401477 for current road closures.

• North GTR — Habitat: Good mast crop. Water Level: The Glaise Creek reading on Jan. 2 was 192.12 feet msl; the North GRT is at full pool.

All structures on the North GTR are closed.

• South GTR — Habitat: Fair mast crop. Water Level: The Glaise Creek reading is 192.12 feet msl; full pool is 192 feet msl. Note: All structures on the South GTR are open.

• Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA— Seasonal work is beging done on access roads to Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA. Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-440-1477 for current road closures.

• Gregory GTR — Habitat: Good mast crop. Water Level: 15% (the Cache River level as of Monday was 5 feet msl and falling on the Patterson Gauge).

• Wyeville Moist-Soil Unit — Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation. Water Level: 100% coverage.

• Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA— The Conway George units are currently available for hunting by applying for online permits.

Please visit www.agfc.com for maps, special regulations, permit application and draw dates. Hunters should call the Wildlife Hotline at 800-4401477 for current road closures.

• Mud Slough GTR — Habitat: Good mast crop. Water Level: 15% coverage.

• Apple Lake WRA — 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 wetland plants. Water Level: 100%.

• Conway George Waterfowl Unit C — Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation. Water Level: 100%.

• Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA— Raft Creek Bottoms WMAis open to waterfowl hunting Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday only. Saturday and Sunday hunting has both in-person draws and an online permit draw via www.agfc.com. On Tuesday and Thursday, permits need to be picked up before hunting and returned to the permit box kiosk after the hunt. Waterfowl hunting is closed Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The Youth blind, Mobility-Impaired blind and teh Magellan Tract are available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday by online draw.

Online draws for other weekend duck holes are held the Thursday-Sunday before the week of hunt.

• Unit A — Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.

Water Level: 100% coverage.

• Unit B — Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation. Water Level: 95%.

• Unit C — Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.

Water Level: 100%.

• Unit D (Youth Area) — Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation.

Water Level: 100%.

• Unit E — Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegetation.

Water Level: 100%.

See GEESE, page A9 GEESE

From page A8

• Unit F — Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation.

Water Level: 100%.

• Unit G — Habitat: Fair stand of millet and native vegetation.

Water Level: 100%.

• Unit H — (Mobility-impaired blind) Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation. Water Level: 100%.

• Unit I — Habitat: Habitat conditions are poor. Water Level: 85%.

• Unit J — (Cypert Tract) Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.

Water Level: 65%.

• Unit K — (Cypert Tract) Habitat: Excellent stand of native vegetation.

Water Level: 60%.

• Unit L — (Cypert Tract) Habitat: Fair stand of native vegetation. Water Level: 15%.

• Unit M — (Magellan Tract) Habitat: Fair stand of native vegetation.

Water Level: 90%.

• Bell Slough WMA— 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 to moderate mast crop. Water Level: 70% flooded.

• Palarm Creek WRA — Habitat: Natural vegetation and planted millet.

Water Level: 70% flooded.

• Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir — Habitat and water levels are normal on both Pierce and Dix creeks.

• Cypress Bayou WMA— Hunt Area Habitat: Good mast crop. Water Level: 90% coverage.

• Red Cut Slough Tract — The six units of Cypress Bayou Red Cut Slough are available for permit-only hunting on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Weekend hunts are available only via online draw for permits through the website, www.agfc.com. On Tuesday and Thursday, hunters need to pick up a permit at the parking lot and return it after the hunt.

• Unit 1 — Habitat: Good stand of millet and native vegetation. Water Level: 60%.

• Unit 2 — Habitat: Excellent stand of millet and native vegatation. Water Level: 100%.

• 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: 30%.

• Unit 6 — Habitat: Good stand of native vegetation. Water Level: 20%.

• Harris Brake WMA— Habitat: Average mast crop. Water Level: 100% full.

• Upper & Lower GTR — Habitat: Average mast crop. Water Level: 100% flooded.

• Holland Bottoms WMA— Habitat: Good mast crop. Water Level: 25% coverage.

• WRA Moist-Soil Unit (East/West) — Habitat: Good mast crop.Water Level: 15% coverage.

• Lake Pickthorne WRA — Habitat: Excellent. Water Level: East cell is 25%, West cell is 75%.