James Staten, a pro staffer for Avery Outdoors and a member of the Zink's Calls Field Staff, agrees with Hendricks' assertions about the river that bisects the state in a roughly northwest to southeast fashion.

"The Arkansas River comes to mind any time that I think of open water and cattail island backwaters," said the waterfowler, who frequents areas in and around the Arkansas River Valley in the west-central part of the state.

He points out that the backwaters are a unique setting when it comes to hunting ducks in Arkansas but that the main channel can be the ticket to success whenever subfreezing temperatures grip the Natural State for prolonged periods.

While there is a little less duck hunting activity in this region of the state, Staten believes that the offerings in this area can provide some good hunting if they are not being hunted too heavily. As far as green timber locations, he points to Petit Jean and Nimrod WMAs as places to go.

As for Petit Jean, this public use area covers 15,581 acres and varies in landscape from rocky ridges to bottomland hardwoods. Found in Yell County, this WMA holds ducks because of its green-tree reservoirs, marsh impoundments, moist-soil units, sloughs, creeks, lakes and ponds.

But, the prospects for good hunting can also sometimes bring a bit more danger. "If the local rivers get up, then the areas expand into some really good timber hunting," Staten explained. "But, this is where experience with the area, a safe boat and time on the water are a must."

Another duck hunting destination within Staten's sphere of influence is Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA. Of this field hunting spot, he said, "This is a good and very large area to hunt. Usually, the AGFC plants the fields each year in millet or some other crop. The hunting here is totally dependent on rain, though, so some years are much better than others."

Even though Staten knows that some fine duck hunting can be found at times in the Arkansas River Valley, he readily admits that the traditional duck grounds of Arkansas are close to his heart. "I have to say that when I think of good green timber and flooded woods, whether it's cypress or tupelo gum brakes, I always think of east Arkansas, Bayou Meto, Big Lake (WMA) and the Cache River area," he said. "They are some of my favorites."

Not mentioned previously here, Big Lake WMA is adjacent to Big Lake NWR in Mississippi County, about 15 miles west of Blytheville. Like Dave Donaldson Black River WMA, this is a favored spot for the early season because the ducks will arrive here in the northeastern part of the state first. Big Lake WMA covers 12,320 acres and is accessible from state Routes 181 and 18.

BEST OF THE REST
While Bayou Meto WMA and White River NWR are the forefathers to the many public duck hunting locations in Arkansas today, and the others noted already are great places to go, there are still many other possibilities for Natural State waterfowlers to consider.

That list includes WMAs like Cut-Off Creek, Earl Buss Bayou DeView, Galla Creek, Henry Gray Hurricane Lake, Rex Hancock Black Swamp, Shirey Bay/Rainey Brake and St. Frances Sunken Lands. Plus, duck hunting opportunities are also readily available at other NWRs including Bald Knob and Pond Creek.

More information on the WMAs and NWRs mentioned here can be found by visiting the Web sites of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, www.agfc.com, or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Arkansas locations, www.fws. gov/refuges/refugelocatormaps/ Arkansas.html. Make sure to note that some public areas have more limited seasons than the statewide duck season and/or more stringent regulations with regard to the number of shot shells in possession and bag limits.