Arkansas duck hunters will kickoff the 2016-2017 season on Saturday, November 19th with less than ideal conditions. A majority of east Arkansas suffers from moderate drought conditions and record setting temps in the state during the week leading up to duck season’s kickoff hasn’t brought a lot of ducks into the state.
A drastic change in weather does take place Friday afternoon with temps dropping 20-30 degrees over Thursday night’s low. The Northern Plains are also expecting an aggresssive winter storm the next few days that should send ducks our way. The trick is where will they go with so little water.
Observations this week in the Stuttgart area have ducks bunched up in artificallly flooded fields and reservoirs that have water seem to be holding a lot of ducks. Shooting at those locations will likely be very good early until the pressure becomes to much and the ducks move out.
The 2016-2017 Arkansas Duck Season Dates are:
- Nov. 19-Nov. 27, 2016
- Dec. 8-Dec. 23, 2016
- Dec. 26, 2016-Jan. 29, 2017
For all the details on rules, regulations and licenses for this season, please visit AGFC.com.
Hopefully the .5″-1″ of rain expected with this front moving through starts the process of filling up some bayous, ditches and reservoirs allowing more areas of refuge for the ducks. The ducks that have been around will likely push out with this big southern wind tomorrow and a new crop will be showing up riding the front from the Northern Plains. This could lead to some very interesting hunting for those with a puddle to float a decoy. Those without will have to be patient until conditions improve.
