SHIREY BAY/RAINEY BRAKE WMA
“The 10,711-acre Shirey Bay/ Rainey Brake WMA offers both walk-in and boating access but you’ve got to watch for the restricted areas,” said Zachary.

Nearly a third of the 11,000 acres are flooded to enhance the duck habitat, and the result is usually good shooting early on in the season, as long as the weather cooperates. When the water overflows into the wooded sections, mallards, woodies and green-winged teal move in to enjoy the bounty.

In the fall, ducks move into the flooded timber of Shirey Bay to feed heavily on acorns and natural seeds such as wild rice, millet, celery and smartweed; this behavior is repeated throughout the northeastern part of the state. As winter moves in, the ducks begin leaving the seeds behind to concentrate on the animal proteins needed for reproduction and flying. They’ll root around in the sticks, leaves and mud on the bottom for rattail maggots, clams, crayfish, worms, insects and anything else they can pull off the bottom.

According to Zachary, scouting is always a good idea. Knowing where the birds are before the hunt can save time and a lot of frustration and mean going home with a limit instead of an empty bag.

Checking the area just once and then writing it off can be a mistake. Cold fronts push ducks down as a group, and can dramatically change the number of ducks using the area overnight.

The Black River intersects the area, dividing about 7,000 acres on the west from the remaining acreage on the east. Bottomland hardwoods and some open-field areas are perfect early-season duck habitat, and should be on the list of areas for duck hunters to check out. Over 3,000 acres of greentree hunting provide fast shooting when the area floods over and the ducks are moving in.

Access is from Highway 25 west, about 20 miles southwest of Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County.

CONCLUSIONS
More good news this year: Naylor reported no indications that the avian flu virus (H5N1) has reached the United States. Wildlife agencies throughout the United States cooperate with the USFWS to keep a watchful eye on the progress of the disease, and so far, Arkansas waterfowlers have nothing to worry about.

For downloadable wildlife area maps and additional information, visit the AGFC Web site at www.agfc.com. Topographic maps are available from the Arkansas Geological Survey at (501) 296-1877.