Oklahoma Waterfowl Report for Nov. 1
Duck season is currently open for Panhandle Counties and Zone 1. Zone 2 opens November 3. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
NORTHWEST
- Canton – Zone 1: Water level is 8.68 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 moderate, with mostly divers. Goose numbers are low, with mostly residents. Hunting activity was moderate on opening weekend. Hunting success was fair on ducks and low on geese. 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 2.54 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been high, especially on weekends. Hunting success has been fair on ducks and low on geese. Good amounts of bird movement on and around the area over the past five days. 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 5.43 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 with season currently closed in Zone 2.
- 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 with season currently closed in Zone 2.
- 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 with season currently closed in Zone 2.
- Waurika – Zone 2: Water level is 10 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with some winter wheat present on private land. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. Wetland units are dry and expected to remain dry throughout season.
NORTHEAST
- Copan – Zone 2: Water level is 3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are excellent, just need water. Duck numbers are low, with mostly teal. Goose numbers are low, with mostly resident birds. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. Youth hunting days were slow, with low success. Bird movement in the area has been light, but increasing with each northern frontal passage.
- Eufaula – Zone 2: Water level is 4.21 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. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. A few migrant flocks were observed moving over the area in the past week
- Hulah – Zone 2: Water level is 4 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are excellent, just need water. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low, with resident birds present. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. Bird movement in the area has been light, but increasing with each northern frontal passage.
- Kaw – Zone 2: Water level is 0.97 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 low. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
- Keystone – Zone 2: Water level is 3.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor to fair. Almost all sloughs and potholes are dry due to extreme drought conditions. Cottonwood WDU over 50% full and filling with excellent food conditions in the majority of the units. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity was low for the youth season, but youth hunters had good success. No reports on current hunting activity or success with season currently closed for Zone 2. Recent cold front showed a small increase in bird numbers last weekend.
- Oologah – Zone 2: Water level is 3.11 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, with mostly blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, gadwalls, American widgeon, northern shoveler and a few mallards. Goose numbers are poor, with resident Canadians present and a few migrants. Hunting acivity and success was fair for the recent youth season, but no other reports with Zone 2 currently closed. An increase in 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 low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
SOUTHEAST
- Hugo – Zone 2: Water level is 7.25 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good around lake, with MS1 and Sawyer unit in fair condition. Duck numbers are low. No geese observed on the area. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
- Red Slough – Zone 2: Wetlands dry except for Unit 21 is 30%, Teal Lake 60% and large reservoirs in refuge 50-70%. Habitat conditions are poor, with plenty of forage but no water. Duck numbers are low, with around 1,600 birds. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2. Significant increase in bird movement with last cold front on the area.
- Sequoyah NWR – Zone 2: In general, duck numbers at Sequoyah NWR are low. Green-winged teal and wood duck numbers are moderate. Very few gadwalls, mallards, and pintails are at the refuge. 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 5.24 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, but a rise in water level would flood current Japanese millet and native vegetation present. No birds seen in the area over the past week. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
- 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. No reports on hunting activity or success with season currently closed in Zone 2.
