Green-timber hunting is as exciting as waterfowl hunting can get. The adventure of getting into heavy timber by water, and in the dark, is exciting enough in and of itself. However, when you toss tall, green standing timber into the equation, you get a style of duck hunting that is chock-full of special challenges and temptations.

Water depth is the controlling factor in setups. Water too deep to wade limits hunters to the confines of a boat. Boat positioning is extremely important in timbered situations. Gunners need to be facing open areas or, at least, the most-open areas aligned with either the direction from which ducks predominantly approach or the prevailing winds. Ducks that can light into the wind provide shooters with the best shots.

Shallow-water areas give hunters a bit more flexibility. Standing by a tree, both for stability and cover, is a longtime tradition of green-timber duck hunters. Few things in the hunting world match the thrill of being hunkered down by a giant ancient oak and calling to pods of circling mallards. Ducks swirling, twisting and turning through the timber makes for some fast, furious and fun shooting.

Carrying several choke tubes can enhance shooting success. Switching tubes to cope with changing situations offers advantages that one tube can't match. Hunting areas with thick overhead cover or tight landing zones for ducks will require an improved cylinder choke for close-up shots. The smart hunter can then change chokes as conditions or locations may require, which may call for longer shots and tighter chokes.

Experiment, and do what works for you with your decoys. However, never forget that flexibility can be the best tool in your arsenal. Smaller sets often work well in the timber, and can easily be picked up to move to another area. But using only a few dozen decoys often brings the temptation to move often, which can be a mistake. Many times, sticking it out and making a few adjustments to your spread is key for success.

Without doubt, knowing where to go in the Dave Donaldson WMA is one of the most important aspects of hunting ducks there. Experience is golden: Old-timers have it figured out, while newcomers will generally do well to stick to the major access areas.

"Some great waterfowl hunting is available near the major access points," Daniels pointed out. "Sometimes, hunters don't have to travel over a few hundred yards from where they put in to get into ducks. Many people think they have to boat deep into the area to get the best hunts. That is not always the case."

Major access points are plentiful. Travel north on Highway 90 about two miles from Deleplaine and turn left on Highway 280; next, go north about four miles to a stop sign and turn left. This will lead you to the Brookings Access on the Black River. From Brookings, another access is available by going east on Highway 280 toward the small town of Peach Orchard for only a mile. Make a left turn on a secondary road. The Hubble Bridge Access is less than a mile away on the Little River. The Datto Access can be found by traveling south out of Corning on Highway 67 to Reyno. Watch for signs for Datto Access. Highway 304 will lead to Lake Ashbaugh. Watch for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission access signs.

Daniels suggested that all hunters check current regulations for Dave Donaldson WMA before going on their first hunt of the year. Both state and federal waterfowl regulations are subject to change every year, and hunters are responsible for keeping themselves current. Check out this season's regulations at the AGFC's Web site, www.agfc.com.

Daily river-gauge readings can be important to boaters and are published each day in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Hunters may also phone the AGFC's Northeastern Region office in Jonesboro at (870) 972-5438. The Arkansas Geological Commission -- (501) 296-18977 -- can provide topographical maps of the Peach Orchard, O'Kean, Reyno Manson, Knoble and Pocahontas quadrangles.