Water everywhere following Christmas Eve rains
LITTLE ROCK – Duck hunters typically desire abundant rainfall to provide waterfowl habitat in Arkansas. But the state’s hunters probably have gotten more than they wanted this season.
The landscape is covered by water in many areas of the state, providing abundant waterfowl habitat but likely scattering ducks.
Heavy rains deluged the state on Christmas Eve, putting more water in already swollen bottomlands and filling many agricultural fields throughout the Delta and Arkansas River Valley.
Although rainfall totals varied throughout the state, the Christmas Eve storm, which also featured snow accumulations in northwestern Arkansas, pushed annual rainfall totals to levels not seen since 1882, making 2009 the wettest year since official weather statistics have been recorded.
The wet weather was followed by a push of cold air and snowy conditions across much of the Southern Plains and Midwest, and anecdotal evidence suggests ducks and geese rode the ensuing cold winds into Arkansas from points north. Several reports indicate a movement of waterfowl into the state over the last week.
Arkansas hunters should find cold and mostly dry weather conditions for the next several days. Following light rain today, forecasts call for clearing skies and cold temperatures through the first part of next week.
New maps showing mallard and overall duck densities have been created to show relative densities around the state. The maps are included among several Web links AGFC has created to assist hunters in tracking waterfowl movements throughout the flyway and within the state.
For a list of links, visit http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/waterfowl-migratory-birds/waterfowl-locations.aspx.
This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season.
