Duck Tracker’s Arkansas Migration page provides maps, population reports, and hunting outlooks to help you stay up-to-date with the most recent duck migration movements throughout the state of Arkansas.
Welcome to the 2022 duck season! We hope you all had a great off-season. If you are like us, you are ready for cool mornings in the duck blind. Our hope is that these reports can serve as a quality resource for you this fall. We do our best to make sure our reports are accurate and timely, and hope they lead to more success for you this season. Check back here frequently to get the latest migration updates!
The following report is based off data collected during the first half of December 2022.
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 12/15/22
Arkansas Duck Migration Maps
Current Arkansas Duck Count Map for 12/15/2022
Arkansas Waterfowl Migration Heat Map for 12/15/2022
Green: 100,000+ Ducks
Yellow: 50,000-100,000 Ducks
Red: 0-25,000 Ducks
Arkansas Duck Counts for 12/15/2022
| County | Current Duck Count | This Time Last Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 12,228 | 30,937 |
| Woodruff | 292,466 | 144,733 |
| Lonoke | 277,775 | 79,722 |
| Arkansas | 121,794 | 107,261 |
| Chicot | 58,814 | 25,141 |
Visit our Duck Migration Page to see updates for the entire flyway
Data for this article was gathered from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 01/10/22
Arkansas Duck Migration Maps
Current Arkansas Duck Count Map for 01/10/2022
Arkansas Waterfowl Migration Heat Map for 01/10/2022
Green: 0-24,999 Ducks
Yellow: 25,000-49,999 Ducks
Orange: 50,000-99,999 Ducks
Red: 100,000+ Ducks
Arkansas Duck Counts for 01/10/2022
| County | Current Duck Count | This Time Last Yr |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 50,867 | 122,325 |
| Woodruff | 112,421 | 149,534 |
| Lonoke | 250,319 | 212,836 |
| Arkansas | 76,392 | 210,449 |
| Chicot | 24,915 | 62,282 |
Visit our Duck Migration Page to see updates for the entire flyway
Data for this article was gathered from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Arkansas Duck Migration Insights as of 1/5/2022
While our trusted sources haven’t reported actual duck counts for Arkansas since 12/14/2021, there’ve been some major migration movements throughout the flyway that we feel are relevant to Arkansas waterfowlers.
- Loess Bluffs (located in the Northwestern corner of Missouri along the Missouri River) reported on 12/20/2021 that they were holding 35,482 total ducks, and on 1/3/2022 the overall duck count was at 14,896. That’s a decrease of 58% over that timeframe! Something else interesting is that 100% of the current ducks on the refuge are mallards.
| Loess Bluffs | Total Ducks | Mallards |
|---|---|---|
| 12/20/2021 | 35,482 | 21,150 |
| 1/3/2022 | 14,890 | 14,890 |
- On 12/20/2021, Southern Illinois duck counts along the Mississippi River were 116,401, and have actually increased since then. As of 1/4/2022, duck counts for the area were at 144,527. This is a 24% increase over that timeframe. A point of interest is that both of these counts were above their 10yr average for this time in the season.
| Southern Illinois | Total Ducks | 10yr Avg for this time |
|---|---|---|
| 12/20/2021 | 116,401 | 95,638 |
| 1/4/2022 | 144,527 | 84,278 |
- On 12/29/2021, Desoto Wildlife Refuge (located in Iowa and Nebraska along the Missouri River) reported holding 7,931 total ducks. This is a significant decrease from the 31,103 that was reported on 12/23/2021. One thing to point out is that this significant decrease was even before the snow storm that recently moved through the area. Desoto has not reported since then, but it wouldn’t be surprising if their duck counts are at or close to 0.
With all of this being said, it’s safe to assume more ducks have moved into Arkansas, and some are still hanging out along the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri. Given the duck counts and weather reports coming in from states North of Missouri, those ducks are probably some of the last migrators for the season. Happy Hunting!
Sources for this data include:
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 12/14/21
Arkansas Duck Migration Maps
Current Arkansas Duck Count Map for 12/14/2021
Arkansas Waterfowl Migration Heat Map for 12/14/2021
Green: 0-24,999 Ducks
Yellow: 25,000-49,999 Ducks
Orange: 50,000-99,999 Ducks
Red: 100,000+ Ducks
Arkansas Duck Counts for 12/14/2021
| County | Current Duck Count | This Time Last Yr |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 30,937 | 33,444 |
| Woodruff | 144,733 | 83,276 |
| Lonoke | 79,722 | 46,643 |
| Arkansas | 107,261 | 56,441 |
| Chicot | 25,141 | 57,991 |
Visit our Duck Migration Page to see updates for the entire flyway
Data for this article was gathered from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Arkansas waterfowl report from the field for 11/25/2021:
By Jim Watson owner of Duckbuster Guide Service:
11/25/21 Migration report NE Arkansas
Black River Stage: 2.8. Moon phase: Full. Temperatures: lows in the 40’s and highs in the low 60’s.
“Refuge (Ashbaugh Lake) is holding a good amount of ducks. Mostly mallards, gadwall, green-winged teal, and northern shovelers. Substantial numbers of white-fronted geese in the area. Snow geese are showing up and feeding heavily near O’Kean Arkansas.”
“Hunting reports around the area are not great. Opening weekend there’re some reports of full bag limits, and others were “we shot a few”. Opening weekend we battled cloudy skies, thunderstorms, full moon, and low water conditions. It was a perfect recipe to not have stellar hunts. Most ducks have been feeding at night.”
“Hunters having the most success are those who’re working hard and not hunting their “usual” places, but instead are setting up in sloughs, wrp’s, crp’s, and bigger ditches. The forecast of rain on Thanksgiving day will help cover the moon and add some water. Sunshine and wind will help. The Missouri’s south zone will open on Saturday which should push some birds into the area. The second weekend looks promising.”
Happy hunting,
Jim Watson, Owner Duckbuster Guide Service
Check out Duckbuster Guide Service at: https://duckbustersguideservice.com/
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 11/22/2021
None of our trusted sources in the state of Arkansas have reported their duck counts yet for the 2021-2022 season, so we’re not able to provide any maps or tables showing current duck counts in the state. However, we can look at the progress of the migration North of Arkansas to give us a good idea of what’s going on and what might be headed our way.
This time last year in Iowa:
Last season, duck counts in Iowa peaked on 11/17/2020. At that time there were 116,685 mallards in the state, and then on 11/24/2021 the mallard count was down to 49,217. Currently Iowa is holding 93,403 mallards throughout the state, which is up from 72,582 from a week ago. This indicates the mallard migration is starting a little slower than it did last year, which may cause hunters in Arkansas to have to wait a little longer than last season to have the best opportunity to harvest many mallards.
| Date | # of Mallards in Iowa |
|---|---|
| 11/17/2020 | 116,685 |
| 11/19/2021 | 93,403 |
This time last year in Missouri:
Missouri has had an increase of 154,382 (+35%) ducks over the past 2 weeks, bringing the state’s total to 590,126. While this has been a great migration movement into the state, it’s still 23% lower than the 5 year average for this time of the season. What’s interesting is that of the 154,382 increase in the past 2 weeks, 79% of those were mallards.
| Date | Total Ducks in Missouri |
|---|---|
| 11/19/2021 | 590,126 |
| 5 year average | 725,854 |
With Iowa and Missouri’s duck migration starting a little slower this year when compared to last, along with both states still showing several mallards moving into the areas, we can assume the Arkansas season may start off a little slower than last year, but may also provide for some better late season opportunities.
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 1/10/2021
Arkansas Duck Migration Maps
Previous Duck Population Map (from 12/27/2020)
Current Duck Population Map (for 1/10/2021)
Average Duck Count Change Per Arkansas Reporting Area: +115%
Arkansas Migration Spotlight Maps
Lawrence County
| Previous Duck Count | 128,287 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 37,284 |
| Change in Duck Population | -71% |
| Compared to this time last year | 215,178 (-83%) |
Arkansas County
| Previous Duck Count | 210,449 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 271,348 |
| Change in Duck Population | +29% |
| Compared to this time last year | 85,771 (+216%) |
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Arkansas Migration Update
This is our second update in a row that we’ve seen Arkansas duck counts double! Last update’s influx was thanks to ducks leaving Iowa and settling into the Northern part of Arkansas along the Mississippi River. This most recent influx is thanks to the majority of the remaining ducks that were holding along the Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois making there way down.
This update we’re seeing a decrease in duck population counts for most of the reporting areas in the Northern half of the state, and an increase in those located in the Southern half. This large increase in the South can be attributed not only to this Southward movement from ducks within the state, but also to the large push of ducks from Missouri and Illinois settling into the areas.
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To see migration reports from other states within the Mississippi Flyway, visit our main Duck Migration Page
Click here to leave your own migration report in the comments below, just be sure to mention your approximate location and the date you’re reporting on.
*Data used in reports was gathered from: https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl/waterfowl-surveys/
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 12/27/2020
Arkansas Duck Migration Maps
Previous Map (from 12/13/2020)
Current Map (12/27/2020)
Average Duck Count Change Per Arkansas Reporting Area: +126%
Arkansas Migration Update
Well, this is what we’ve been waiting for! Reporting areas in Arkansas have seen huge increases in number of ducks over the past 2 weeks. A cold front swept across Northern Iowa, freezing up almost all bodies of water and sending the ducks South. The birds seem to have bypassed Missouri on their flight, and have settled in Eastern Arkansas. Almost every county along the Mississippi River is showing at least double the number of ducks they were 2 weeks ago!
Although Northern Missouri caught some of the recent freezing weather, it didn’t seem to have a profound impact on population counts in the state. This could be a good sign for Arkansas duck hunters, indicating this recent push of birds probably won’t be the last of the season.
While the definition of “easy hunting” is debatable, adding this many new birds to the area should provide ample opportunities to decoy in some uneducated ducks!
Arkansas Migration Spotlight Maps
Lawrence County
| Previous Duck Count | 18,710 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 128,287 |
| Change in Duck Population | +86% |
Arkansas County
| Previous Duck Count | 56,441 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 210,449 |
| Change in Duck Population | +73% |
Arkansas Duck Hunting Outlook and Forecast
While this report’s showing a substantial increase in Arkansas duck counts over the past 2 weeks, it’s not over yet! The average duck population count per Missouri reporting area was only down 1%, signaling there’re plenty of birds still North of here.
With forecast of freezing weather over the next two weeks across the entire state of Missouri, we predict the ducks that are holding there will find their way into Arkansas. If some of this colder weather ends up in the Northern part of the state (as forecasted), the Northern areas in Arkansas may lose some of their ducks and the Southern areas will gain some.
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To see migration reports for other states within the Mississippi Flyway, see our main duck migration page
To submit your own report, click here to leave a comment below
*Data used in reports was gathered from https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl/waterfowl-surveys/
Arkansas Duck Migration Report for 12/13/2020
As this is our first duck migration report for the state of Arkansas this season, we’ll take a quick look at where the ducks currently are, as well as compare today’s numbers with those from this time last season.
Arkansas Duck Migration Maps
Current Arkansas Duck Population Counts per County (for 12/13/2020)
Since the first official Arkansas duck migration population counts of the season weren’t available until now, we can’t say for sure how many more birds are in the area compared to 2 weeks ago. However, with almost all areas in Iowa reporting a large decrease in duck counts, and Missouri’s numbers staying relatively steady, it’s safe to assume many birds have left Iowa and settled in Arkansas along the Mississippi River. The above map shows the current duck population broken down by Arkansas reporting areas.
Arkansas Duck Migration status compared to this time last season
| Area | Current | Last year | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lonoke County | 46,643 | 129,781 | -64% |
| Crittenden County | 85,992 | 124,603 | -31% |
| Chicot County | 57,991 | 52,686 | +10% |
| Phillips County | 23,418 | 28,373 | -17% |
| Arkansas | 56,441 | 37,162 | +52% |
Average difference in duck count per reporting area when compared to this time last year is -32.4%
As shown in the chart above, the duck count for Arkansas is down almost a third from this same time last season. While this may seem like bad news for Arkansas waterfowlers, however, this also signals there are still several ducks North of the state and will make their way South throughout the season.
Arkansas Duck Hunting Outlook and Forecast
There’re currently -32.4% fewer ducks per reporting area in the state of Arkansas than there were this time last season. However there’s a significant cold front moving into the flyways’ Northern states mid-week, which should push many birds our way. We forecast that once this cold front hits, the birds will head South and settle in areas located in the Northeastern portion of the state along the Mississippi River. Missouri is holding several ducks, so if the cold front reaches that far South, Arkansas duck hunters might see the best opportunities of the season over the next two weeks!