(Little Rock, AR) – Known for attracting avid duck hunters, is facing a less promising season this year, according to Trey Reid, spokesperson for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). The state, renowned for its rich duck population, is experiencing a decline, raising concerns among hunting enthusiasts.
Reid shared insights from the AGFC’s aerial survey team, which conducted comprehensive surveys in key regions, including the Delta, the Arkansas River Valley, and southwest Arkansas. The findings revealed a significant drop in the Delta mallard population, marking the lowest count since 2013. The population estimate was more than half a million birds below the average.
Traditionally, Arkansas would anticipate over one million ducks in the Delta by early January, but this year falls short of that expectation. The decline is attributed to a lower number of ducks migrating south, originating from a smaller breeding population up north.
Reid explained, “The breeding population count, conducted every year since the ’50s in Canada and the northern United States, was the lowest since 1993—a three-decade low.” He added that a dry winter has compounded the issue, influencing the low numbers observed during the survey conducted in drought conditions from January 1-4.
Despite the disappointment, Reid, an avid hunter himself, remains optimistic for the remainder of the season. Recent substantial rain and flooding in the Cache River and other waterways in eastern Arkansas, although challenging with some freezing, have provided a glimmer of hope.
“We did get some flooding on the Cache River and some other smaller waterways over in eastern Arkansas. A lot of the water we got froze almost immediately, and that has not been great either,” Reid acknowledged. “But I think if I am looking at the forecast correctly, it looks like we have a thaw coming over the last couple of weeks. Conditions could be right for a really nice last couple of weeks for duck season.”
As hunters navigate the challenges of this season, they remain hopeful that the recent weather changes will positively impact duck populations, making the closing weeks of the season more rewarding.
