DUCKS

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counted southwest Arkansas. Observers in the Delta estimated around 886,000 light (lesser snow and Ross’s) geese and about 221,000 greater white-fronted geese during this survey, 'with the caveat that this survey is not great for estimating goose numbers,' Naylor said.

The bulk of ducks in many Arkansas areas, based on biologists' counts and hunter anecdotal evidence, have been gadwalls, with some pintails, greenwinged teal and shovelers.

Unsurprisingly, the southeast Missouri waterfowl biologists in the DU report said the same thing about their region. Also, taking note that light geese and greater white-front geese totals rival overall duck numbers in Arkansas in the mid-winter survey, it's worth pointing out that the Missouri biologists said this week that they have seen greater numbers of snow geese in the southeast corner than ever, an estimated 170,000. Also, they've noted that the migration back north in many of their typical duck locations has yet to start with little change in the weather.

One theory that regularly circulates among Arknasas hunters is that states to the north are 'short-stopping' the duck migration with more available food. This year, the idea was, the derecho in Iowa during the summer shook so much

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corn to the ground there that ducks didn't have any need to move further south.

Luke Naylor spoke with Iowa biologists who scoffed at that notion. Corn in August would be rotten in the field by now, and ducks aren't the only animals attracted to it anyway.

The derecho winds, according to Iowa sources, didn't do as much damage to the crops as some are imagining. And, from Christmas Eve on into the new year, Iowa (and those corn fields, if any edible food remained) was blanketed with ice and snow. Some areas had drifts and most had 4-10 inches of fozen snowfall. And yet there was not some sudden new migration southward of hundreds of thousands of ducks.

'That scenario is highly unlikely,' Naylor said after speaking with Iowa wildlife officials. 'It is my understanding that the farmers were actually able to harvest most of that corn, so it turned out not to be as big of a deal as expected. …The midwinter counts in Iowa (at the same time as Arkansas's midwinter count) showed few noticeable duck concentrations.'

Northeast Arkansas Waterfowl Reports

Arkansas's regular waterfowl season continues uninterrupted to its close at sunset Jan. 31. Youth, veterans and active military on Feb. 6 may hunt any WMA or private land (including WRICE permitted hunts) all day.

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— 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: 100% flooded, Bo Dock gauge reading is 236.6 feet msl with a target level of 235.5 feet msl. A few ducks are moving through the area.

• South Woods GTR — Habitat: Mast production is fair. Water Level: 100% flooded. The 7-mile gauge is reading 235.7 feet msl; target level is 234.5 feet.

• 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: 100% coverage.

• Dave Donaldson Black River WMA — 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 7.9 feet msl and falling slowily.

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

Water Level: Current level is 269.55 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 268.7 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 267.3 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 266.4 feet msl Target level is 266.3 feet msl.

100% flooded.

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

Water Level: Current level is 263.75 feet msl. Target level is 263.7 feet msl.

95% flooded.

• Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA — Boaters should use caution while using the Thompson Tract boat run. A few ducks and geese are moving through the area.

• South Oliver GTR — Habitat: Mast production has been good. Water Level: 100% flooded with a current gauge reading of 1.6 feet.

• Thompson Tract GTR — Habitat: Mast production is good. Water Level: 100% flooded with a current gauge reading of 1.3 feet.

• 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 240.0 feet msl with a target level of 240.0 msl.

100% flooded.