LITTLE ROCK – The 2016-2017 Arkansas duck season closes at sunset Sunday, and keeping with a long-standing tradition in The Natural State, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife management areas will be open for hunting until sunset Friday through Sunday.
Hunting ends at noon on state WMAs during the regular duck season, but for many years the AGFC has allowed hunters additional time to hunt during the season’s final weekend.
Based on the most recent aerial waterfowl survey numbers, Arkansas duck hunters may need some extra time to find the ducks this weekend. The latest survey, which was conducted last week, again resulted in below-average numbers of ducks across the state.
The season’s fourth and final aerial survey revealed an estimated population of just more than 1 million ducks in the state’s Delta region, a total that included about 560,000 mallards. The numbers are below both last year’s late-January survey and the long-term average for the late-January time frame. Fluctuating temperatures and dry conditions have dominated the 2016-2017 waterfowl season and likely have played a role in this season’s low population numbers in The Natural State.
Although the regular duck season ends Sunday, the second segment of the state’s special youth waterfowl hunt will take place Saturday, Feb. 4. The Light Goose Conservation Order, which allows an extended period of hunting for snow, blue and Ross’ geese with liberalized regulations, runs Jan. 30-Feb. 2 and Feb. 5-April 25.
Hunting ends at noon on state WMAs during the regular duck season, but for many years the AGFC has allowed hunters additional time to hunt during the season’s final weekend.
Based on the most recent aerial waterfowl survey numbers, Arkansas duck hunters may need some extra time to find the ducks this weekend. The latest survey, which was conducted last week, again resulted in below-average numbers of ducks across the state.
The season’s fourth and final aerial survey revealed an estimated population of just more than 1 million ducks in the state’s Delta region, a total that included about 560,000 mallards. The numbers are below both last year’s late-January survey and the long-term average for the late-January time frame. Fluctuating temperatures and dry conditions have dominated the 2016-2017 waterfowl season and likely have played a role in this season’s low population numbers in The Natural State.
Although the regular duck season ends Sunday, the second segment of the state’s special youth waterfowl hunt will take place Saturday, Feb. 4. The Light Goose Conservation Order, which allows an extended period of hunting for snow, blue and Ross’ geese with liberalized regulations, runs Jan. 30-Feb. 2 and Feb. 5-April 25.
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