Oklahoma Waterfowl Report for January 23, 2013
Duck season is currently open in Zone 2. Goose season is opened statewide. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
NORTHWEST
Canton; Zone 1: Water level is 9.25 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, no flooded vegetation around the lake. Winter wheat around the area is in poor condition. Duck season is closed. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low. Hunter success is unknown. No movement of birds into area since last week. 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 2.05 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, very little native food available around the lake as most of the sloughs are dry. Local wheat is in poor condition. Duck season is closed. Goose numbers are good, mostly Canadas. Hunter activity is fair and success is low. Goose numbers have remained good during January. The WMA portion of the lake is currently surrounded by approximately 50 yards or more of open shoreline.
SOUTHWEST
Hackberry; Zone 2: Lake elevation is extremely low. Habitat conditions are very poor. All of Hackberry Flat wetland units are dry. Hackberry Flat WRP reservoir has approximately .25 acre of water. No reports on hunting activity or success.
NORTHEAST
Copan; Zone 2: Water level is 3.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, just need water. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is low and success is poor. No new bird movement.
Eufaula; Zone 2: Water level is 5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor at current lake level. Very little farming in the area. Duck numbers are poor. Goose numbers are low, with local resident birds present. Hunter activity is low and success is unknown. No recent bird movement observed. Native vegetation and Japanese millet from the millet program are excellent and plentiful, but not inundated at current lake level. At present the lake continues to fall slowly with no inflows.
Fort Gibson; Zone 2: Water level is .37 ft. below normal. Habitat conditions are fair to good, smartweed, barnyard grass, and some agricultural crops in the area. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity and success is slow.
Hulah; Zone 2: Water level is 6 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair. Harvested soybeans are good and wheat is fair. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity and success is low. No new bird movement.
Kaw; Zone 2: Water level is 1 foot below normal. Habitat conditions are good, with Japanese millet, smartweed and good quantities of native food present. Duck and goose numbers are fair. Hunter activity is moderate and success is fair. Bird movement is moderate.
Keystone; Zone 2: Water level is 4.6 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor to fair. Almost all sloughs and potholes are dry due to extreme drought conditions. Cottonwood WDU is 90 percent full, with excellent food conditions in the majority of the units. Duck and goose numbers are fair. Hunting activity and success is fair.
Oologah; Zone 2: Water level is 4.24 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor at current lake level. Duck numbers are poor with some mallards, gadwalls and ring-necks. Goose numbers are poor, with resident Canadas and migrants present. Hunting activity and success is poor.
Sooner; Zone 2: Water level is 1.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck and goose numbers are good. Hunter activity is moderate during the week and high on weekends. Hunter success is fair.
Webbers Falls; Zone 2: Water level is 2.75 feet above normal. Habitat conditions are fair to 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 slow. Bird movement is slow.
SOUTHEAST
Hugo; Zone 2: Water level is very low. MS1 unit water is low and food is fair. Sawyer unit dry and food is in fair condition. Duck numbers are low. 500 snow geese are present. Hunter activity is low and success is poor. No bird movement.
Red Slough; Zone 2: Wetlands are mostly dry. Plenty of wild forage is present but need water. Duck and goose numbers are low. Hunter activity and success is low. No new bird movement.
Wister; Zone 2: Water level is 1 foot below normal. At current lake level habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low. Few geese are present. Hunter activity is high and success is poor.
