Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Waterfowl Report for November 20, 2012

Duck season is currently open statewide. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com
 

 NORTHWEST
 
Canton - Zone 1: Water level is 8.91 feet below normal. Native vegetation is in good condition, but currently not flooded. Winter wheat around the area is mostly planted and in fair condition. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are moderate. Hunting activity was moderate on weekend low on weekdays. Hunting success was low on ducks and unknown on geese. No significant bird movement has occurred. The northwest portion of the lake is dry, and the only usable boat ramp is at the Canadian Campground day use area.

 Ft. Supply - Zone 1: Water level is 2.59 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, very little native food available around the lake as most of the sloughs are dry. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been high, especially on weekends. Bird movement has been low over the past week. The WMA portion of the lake is currently surrounded by approximately 50 yards or more of open shoreline, most boat ramps are closed, but small boats are still able to access the lake. ***Note waterfowl season is closed during the first nine days of deer gun season (Nov.17-Nov.25) on Fort Supply***

SOUTHWEST

Ft. Cobb - Zone 2: Water level is 5.43 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to water levels. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success.
 
Hackberry - Zone 2: Water level is extremely low. Habitat conditions are poor, with some winter wheat present. Duck and goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success. Very little bird movement over the last week.
 
Mtn. Park - Zone 2: Water level is 10.50 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success.

Waurika - Zone 2: Water level is 10.3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to drought. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success. Wetland units are dry and expected to remain dry throughout season. Waterfowl habitat on the lake is virtually non-existent due to the drought and very low lake level. 
 
 NORTHEAST
 
Copan - Zone 2: Water level is 3.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are excellent, just need water. Duck and goose numbers are fair. Hunter activity is heavy on weekends and light on weekdays. Hunter success has been fair. Bird movement in the area has been light, but increasing with each northern frontal passage.

Eufaula - Zone 2: Water level is 4 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor at current lake elevation. Farming activity in the area is light. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low, with local resident birds present. Hunter activity is low and success is unknown. Some birds moved in within the last week. Native vegetation and Japanese millet from the millet program are excellent and plentiful, but not inundated at current lake level. At present the lake is slowly falling with no inflows.

Fort Gibson - Zone 2: Water level is .49ft below normal. Habitat conditions are good. Smartweed, barnyard grass and some agricultural crops in the area. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity and success is fair. Bird movement into the area has been low.

 Hulah - Zone 2: Water level is 4 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low, with resident birds present. Hunter activity and success are low. A few birds have moved in with the recent fronts.

Kaw - Zone 2: Water level is 1008.39 ft. Habitat conditions are good, with Japanese millet, smartweed and good quantities of native food present. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are fair. Hunter activity is light and success is fair. Bird movement is slow. Lower temperatures and higher water levels should result in increased waterfowl numbers.

 Keystone - Zone 2: Water level is 3.8 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Almost all sloughs and potholes are dry due to extreme drought conditions. Cottonwood WDU over 80 percent full and filling, with excellent food conditions in the majority of the units. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low and success is fair. Very little bird movement occurred this past week.
 
Oologah - Zone 2: Water level is 3.43 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair to good at current lake level. 300 acres seeded with Japanese millet, but not flooded at this time. Duck numbers are fair (mostly mallards, gadwalls, American widgeon, canvasback, lesser scaup, greater scaup and redheads). Goose numbers are fair, with resident Canadas and migrants present. Hunting activity and success is fair.

Sooner - Zone 2: Water level is 1.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions on lake are poor. Winter wheat around the area is also in poor condition. Duck numbers are low but increasing (mallards, gadwalls, ringed-necks, scaup). Goose numbers are low, mostly Canadas. Hunter activity is high on weekends and hunter success is fair.

Webbers Falls - Zone 2: Water level is 2.69 feet above normal. Habitat conditions are good with smartweed, barnyard grass, bidens, cut soybeans, corn, milo and winter wheat in the area. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity and success is fair. Bird movement is slow.

SOUTHEAST
 
Hugo - Zone 2: Water level is very low. Habitat conditions are good around lake, with MS1 unit water low and food fair; Sawyer unit is dry with fair food. Duck numbers are low. No geese observed on the area. Hunter activity is low and success is low. Birds are not staying.

Red Slough - Zone 2: Mostly dry. Plenty of wild forage; will be good when we get some water. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is low and success is unknown. Birds are mainly using the waterfowl refuge area.

Sequoyah NWR - Zone 2: In general, duck numbers at Sequoyah NWR are low. Green-winged teal and wood duck numbers are moderate. Mallard numbers are low but increasing daily. Snow geese have been spotted, but have not yet started using the refuge. Wetland management areas are about a 1/4 flooded.

Texoma - Zone 2: Water level is 6.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, but a rise in water level would flood Japanese millet and native vegetation. Duck and goose numbers are very low. Hunter activity and success is low.

Birds are not stopping due to poor habitat conditions.

Wister - Zone 2: Water level is 1 foot below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, with smartweed, sedges and acorns present. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is moderate and success is low. No new birds in the area.

Website: www.wildlifedepartment.com E-mail: fishingreport@odwc.state.ok.us