As is the case with all the state’s national wildlife refuges, permits are required for hunting. These are free and unlimited and are available at refuge headquarters and area stores. For additional regulations, and information about hunting areas and times, contact the refuge headquarters in St. Charles at (870) 282-8200 or online at www.fws.gov/whiteriver/.

The Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce -- (870) 673-1602; www.stuttgararkansas.com -- can provide all the information you need to plan your trip to the Grand Prairie: waterfowl regulations, Stuttgart weather, lists of motels and guide services and much more.

THE SOUTHERN DELTA
Counties that lie within the area of the southern Delta include Lee, Desha and Chicot and portions of St. Francis, Crittenden, Monroe, Prairie, Phillips, Jefferson, Lincoln, Drew, Chicot and Ashley. I-40 forms the northern boundary, the White River, Arkansas River and Bayou Bartholomew mark the western edge, and the Mississippi bounds the east.

Many factors -- the success of breeding ground production, the severity and timing of northern winters, food and habitat availability, local water and weather conditions, and more -- influence the number of ducks wintering in the southern Delta.

Local water conditions are, perhaps, the most important factor to consider. Regardless of the number of ducks in the flyway, southern hunters are almost totally dependent on heavy fall rains for a good season. The severity of winters to the north, or the lack of winter, also plays a major role in how many ducks come to the region and when, but nothing is more important than water.

Unfortunately, when compared to the northern Delta and Grand Prairie, the southern Delta holds few public-hunting lands. Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area, south of Tichnor, and the east side of White River NWR offer superb green-timber duck hunting on public land. Most other waterfowling takes place via boats on big rivers, on public lakes or on private lands.

Trusten Holder WMA in Arkansas and Desha counties is owned by the AGFC (4,406 acres), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1,490 acres) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (4,372 acres). This public-hunting real estate is divided into two large sections. One tract lies 35 miles southeast of DeWitt near White River Lock and Dam No. 1 on the White River. Another area lies 15 miles northeast of Dumas near the Pendleton Bridge on the Arkansas River.

Both locations draw hordes of wintering ducks that flock here to the area’s overflow bottomland hardwoods, oxbow lakes and sloughs. Hunting is excellent for waterfowlers who do some pre-hunt scouting. But unless you’re extremely lucky, don’t expect to come here on a whim and have a successful hunt. Lots of local hunters use the area, and though there’s plenty of space for all who show up, you’ll do better if you spend some time surveying the area for out-of-the-way hotspots that draw mallards, wood ducks and other waterfowl. When other areas freeze over, many waterfowlers stay on or near the flowing water of the White River, which ices over only during the most frigid conditions. Mallards flock here by the tens of thousands when fields and flooded woods freeze up. Wood ducks and green-winged teal join them frequently; gadwalls, ringnecks, shovelers and pintails round out the hunter’s bag.

Because the lower White River is so broad and expansive, most hunters stay off the river proper and hunt the flooded green timber at streamside. Look for a place off the main river where there’s an opening in the timber. Then, set out a dozen or two decoys, hide your boat and back up beside a big tree. If you’re in a fairly remote location, the ducks almost always work well, and you can call them into the decoys. Be certain before hunting, however, that the portion of the river you’re visiting is open for hunting when you plan to be there.

One thing is certain. Some of the best duck hunting in the U.S. this year will be in the east Arkansas Delta. Even in the worst years, waterfowling here is better than almost anywhere else.

For information on the AGFC wildlife management areas mentioned in this article, and for season dates, regulations, waterfowl reports and license purchases, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call 1-800-364-GAME toll-free, or check out the agency’s Web site, www.agfc.com

(Editor’s Note: For a limited time, autographed copies of Keith Sutton’s book Hunting Arkansas: The Sportsman’s Guide to Natural State Game -- regular price $24.95 -- can be purchased by Arkansas Sportsman readers for $12.95, plus $3.00 shipping. Send a check or money order to C&C Outdoors, 15601 Mountain Drive, Alexander, AR 72002.)

Find more about Arkansas fishing and hunting at:ArkansasSportsmanMag.com