Oklahoma Waterfowl Report for November 14

   11.16.12

Oklahoma Waterfowl Report for November 14

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 8.84 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, mostly resident. Hunting activity was moderate on weekend low on weekdays. 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 2.55 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 fair. Goose numbers are good. Hunting activity has been high, especially on weekends. Hunting success has been good on ducks and fair on geese. Bird movement was good over the past weekend. Good numbers of mallards and geese came through, most of the geese are still here, but most of the ducks have moved on. 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.
  • 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 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. 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 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 with the last front. Native vegetation and Japanese millet from the millet program are excellent and plentiful, but not inundated at current lake level.
  • Fort Gibson – Zone 2: Water level is normal. Habitat conditions are good. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity and success is fair.
  • 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 is low. A few birds have moved in with the recent fronts.
  • 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 good. Goose numbers are fair. Hunter activity is light and success is fair. Bird movement is moderate.
  • Keystone – Zone 2: Water level is 3.8 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor to fair. Almost all sloughs and potholes are dry due to extreme drought conditions. Cottonwood WDU over 80% 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. Some birds arrived with recent cold front.
  • Oologah – Zone 2: Water level is 3.34 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 good, with mostly blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, gadwalls, American widgeon, northern shoveler and a mallards. Goose numbers are good, with resident Canada geese and migrants present. Hunting activity and success is fair. Bird movement has picked up in the past week.
  • Sooner – Zone 2: Water level is 3-4 feet below normal. Habitat conditions on lake is fair. Winter wheat around the area is also in poor condition. Duck numbers are good with a noticeable increase in mallard numbers. Goose numbers are fair with a mix of Canada and white-fronted geese. Hunter activity is moderate to high and hunter success is moderate. Movement of additional birds in the last few days with the cold front.
  • Webbers Falls – Zone 2: Water level is 2.68 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 low. Bird movement is slow.

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 of hunter activity.
  • 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 and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is low. Hunter success is unknown. Major bird movement with last cold front.
  • Sequoyah NWR – Zone 2: In general, duck numbers at Sequoyah NWR are low. Green-winged teal and wood duck numbers are moderate. Mallards 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 current Japanese millet and native vegetation present. 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.
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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.

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