Oklahoma Waterfowl Report for December 5

Duck season is currently open for Panhandle Counties. Zone 1 and Zone 2 opens December 8. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

NORTHWEST

• Canton – Zone 1: Water level is 9 feet below normal. Native vegetation is in poor condition, no flooded vegetation around the lake. Winter wheat around the area is mostly planted and in poor to fair condition. Duck numbers are low, with a small increase in mallard numbers. Goose numbers are low. A few sandhill cranes are roosting on the area. 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 2.57 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, very little native food available around the lake. Most of the sloughs are dry. Local wheat is in fair condition. Duck numbers are fair, mostly mallards. Goose numbers are fair. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 1. Bird movement has been slow over the last 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.

SOUTHWEST

• Ft. Cobb – Zone 2: Water level is 5.97 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to water levels. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are fair to high. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
• Hackberry – Zone 2: Lake elevation is extremely low, all of the wetland units are dry. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck and goose numbers are low.
• Mtn. Park – Zone 2: Water level is 10.50 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low to fair. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. Lot of sandhill cranes utilize the area.
• Waurika – Zone 2: Water level is 10.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with some winter wheat present on private land. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Wetland units are dry and expected to remain dry throughout season.

NORTHEAST

• Copan – Zone 2: Water level is 3.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, just need water. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are fair. Every frontal passage increases the number of waterfowl.
• Eufaula – Zone 2: Water level is 4.61 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor at current lake elevation. Native vegetation and Japanese millet form the millet program are plentiful, but not inundated at current lake level. At present, lake level continues to slowly drop. Farming activity in the area is light. Duck numbers are low overall but probably fair in a few spots. Goose numbers are low, with local resident birds present. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. No new bird movement observed.
• Ft. Gibson – Zone 2: Water level is .66 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good with smartweed, barnyard grass, and some agricultural crops available. Duck and goose numbers are low. Bird movement has been slow.
• Hulah – Zone 2: Water level is 4.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, just need water. Harvested soybeans are good and wheat is fair. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. A few ducks have moved into the area during recent fronts.
• Kaw – Zone 2: Water level is 2.67 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, with Japanese millet, smartweed and good quantities of native food present. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are fair. Lower temperatures and higher water levels should result in increased waterfowl numbers.
• Keystone – Zone 2: Water level is 4 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with almost all sloughs and potholes dry due to extreme drought conditions. Cottonwood WDU at 100% with excellent food conditions in the majority of the units. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are fair. No reports on current hunting activity or success with season currently closed for Zone 2. Due to weather and decreased hunting pressure birds have been moving in the past week.
• Oologah – Zone 2: Water level is 3.61 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 poor-fair, with mostly mallards, gadwalls, American widgeon, buffleheads, ring-necks, common goldeneye’s and hooded mergansers. Goose numbers are fair, with resident Canadians present and a few migrants. Good waterfowl migration is expected over the next several weeks with each northern frontal passage.
• Sooner – Zone 2: Water level is 2.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Winter wheat around the area is also in poor condition. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are fair. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
• Webbers Falls – Zone 2: Water level is 2.69 ft above normal. Habitat conditions are good with smartweed, barnyardgrass, bidens, cut soybeans, corn, milo and wheat in the area. Duck and goose numbers are low.

SOUTHEAST

• Hugo – Zone 2: Water level is very low. Habitat conditions are good around lake, with MS1 and Sawyer unit in fair condition. Duck and goose numbers are low.
• Red Slough – Zone 2: Wetlands on the area are mostly dry. Habitat conditions are poor due to low water levels, but plenty of forage is available. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. No major bird movements on the area recently.
• Texoma – Zone 2: Lake level is 5.85 ft. below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, wetland plants and Japanese millet are good at 614.5 and above so nee a rise in water level to flood it. Duck and goose numbers are low.
• Wister – Zone 2: Water level is 1.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, with smartweed, sedges and acorns present. However; lake level must rise to make habitat available to waterfowl. Duck numbers are very low and no geese are present. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. No recent bird movement.

Oklahoma Dept of Wildlife Conservation

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is an agency of the state of Oklahoma responsible for managing and protecting Oklahoma's wildlife population and their habitats. The Department is under the control of the Wildlife Conservation Commission, an 8-member board appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. All members serve eight year terms. The Commission, in turn, appoints a Director to serve as the chief administrative officer of the Department.