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This season’s challenges of reduced duck numbers and harsh weather conditions have prompted certain longtime hunters to pose the question, “So you want to be a duck hunter?”
Still, hope springs eternal in the waterfowler’s heart.
From Jan. 6-14, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission conducted its annual mid-winter aerial waterfowl survey. This flyover is the second duck survey completed for the 2024-25 season.
This three-times-per-season survey consists of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists Jason Carbaugh, William Guy, Jason “Buck” Jackson and Alex Zachary over-flying three regions of the state, the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (Delta), Arkansas River Valley and southwest Arkansas.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The results were presented to the public in a report by AGFC Waterfowl Coordinator Brett Leach on Jan. 22.
“Habitat conditions improved just prior to the mid-winter survey with several precipitation events, leading to overbank flooding throughout much of the state,” according to the report. “Many rivers remained in flood stage by the end of the survey period; however, the amount of overbank flooding began declining throughout the survey. The majority of the survey occurred as the state was swept with freezing temperatures just prior to a snow storm and wrapped up during the thaw.”
The staff was to start flying the third and final survey of the year beginning Jan. 20.
“Biologists in the Delta estimated 452,017 mallards and 924,545 total ducks, while duck population estimates in the Arkansas River Valley totaled 84,119 ducks, including 39,058 mallards. Staff performing cruise surveys in southwest Arkansas reported an estimated 22,160 ducks with 2,660 mallards. Arctic goose population estimates totaled 615,756 light (lesser snow and Ross’s) geese and 189,166 greater white-fronted geese (specklebelly) in the Delta,” according to the report.
Confirming the pre-freeze influx of ducks reported by hunters in Jefferson, Phillips, Arkansas and Drew counties, the report shows the number of ducks seen.
“The Delta mallard population estimate was 182,324 mallards above the 2024 mid-winter survey estimate, but 309,595 mallards below the 2010-2025 MWS long-term average. Total duck population estimates were 260,554 birds below the long-term average, but 242,456 birds above 2024 MWS estimates,” according to the report.
Certain AGFC Wildlife Management Areas, such as Cut-Off Creek in Drew County, saw good mallard harvests from the week of Jan. 5-10 before numbers dwindled due to consistent hunting pressure.
While ample rains in December filled Bayou Meto WMA beyond full-pool water levels, it has now fallen below prime conditions, leaving large expanses of the popular hunting ground without flooded timber.
The arctic blast beginning Jan. 11 locked up flooded fields and timber, freezing shallow water where ducks typically land to feed and roost. Ducks were forced to seek open water in locations where moving current resisted deep freeze effects. Waterfowlers braving the icy winds and hazardous currents of rivers such as the Arkansas reported limited success where water remained unfrozen. Those harvests have been scattered and spotty, largely consisting of gadwalls, teal and spoonbill species. Occasional pockets of mallards were found in areas along the length of the Black, White, Cache and Arkansas watercourses.
At the same time, the freeze had little effect on goose habitat, which is more commonly dry farm fields. With unprecedented snow and ice to the south of the state, geese found their way back up to the relative comfort of the Arkansas Delta.
Hunters in Arkansas County reported full arrival of the “Grand Passage” goose migration coming at 4 p.m. Jan. 20, with fields filled by extraordinary numbers of snow, Ross’s, blue and specklebelly geese. Neighborhoods on the east outskirts of Stuttgart saw flocks of birds feeding right up to their backyards.
A dusting of snow and morning temperatures in the teens did little to hamper hunters at first light on a recent hunt, seeing specklebelly bag limits readily filled. Successful goose harvest numbers remained consistent throughout that week.
With the 2024-25 Arkansas waterfowl season ending Jan. 31, many enthusiasts remain optimistic that with a thaw underway, fields and flooded timber have again opened up, providing ample habitat for migrating ducks to linger or return in their annual circuit from Canada to Mexico and back again.
Goose hunters Johnny Hollis, left, Harrell Ewing and Richard Ledbetter (kneeling) braved temps in the teens, bitter wind and snow recently to participate in a ‘Grand Passage’ hunt on the heels of great flocks of geese arriving in Arkansas County late on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Special to The Commercial/Dawson Miller)