Cold, central U.S. blizzard just in time for second opener
LITTLE ROCK – The second segment of Arkansas’s 2009-2010 duck season opens Thursday, Dec. 10, and weather conditions across the Mississippi and Central flyways could provide an infusion of waterfowl just in time for the second-segment opener.
A midweek blizzard dumped snow across much of the central U.S., bringing with it extremely cold temperatures, a combination that could push ducks into Arkansas.
Reports from around the state indicate duck numbers were beginning to build earlier in the week, and continued frigid conditions figure to add to the buildup of waterfowl numbers.
The forecast for local weather includes low temperatures ranging from the low 20s Thursday morning to low 30s over the weekend. High temperatures are forecast to reach the low 40s through the weekend, with high temperatures moderating into the low 50s by Sunday.
Rainfall earlier in the week should also benefit habitat conditions in the state, though the abundance of water could have a scattering effect on waterfowl concentrations.
To assist hunters in tracking ducks, AGFC has created several Web links with maps and information about recent waterfowl movements and aerial survey reports.
For a list of links, visit http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/waterfowl-migratory-birds/waterfowl-locations.aspx.
Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.
