Dave Donaldson Black River WMA

[speedster1370]

Planning a trip to Arkansas in January to Dave Donaldson WMA. This will be our first time hunting out there. Has anyone ever hunted this WMA? Could use some insight on general areas to try to hop in. Any advice or experiences certainly appreciated.

 

[MudIslandMemphis]

Couldn't tell you where to put in or where to go, but I hunted there about 3 or 4 years ago and it was awesome. Great timber hunting. Hopefully you or someone you know has done a little scouting for some holes cause it's basically driving a boat through the woods looking for a place with an opening. Boats get there early too so better have a couple places lined up. Only negative about it was watching birds circle getting ready to drop down just to have the next hole over sky bust some and send yours away too, but that's public hunting for you.

 

[speedster1370]

We are looking at trying the lower portion of area 2 in the GTR. We are hoping to luck up but as far as the scouting goes we are going to try to look the day before when we get there as we won't have any time until then unfortunately. One of the reasons I posted on here. Not looking for anyones honey hole but just a little light. Yeah we deal with that on Old Hickory as well or people pulling out the hail call to blow them out of the hole they were working. Public land... Oh how I wish I was rich lol.

 

[duckboy007]

Make sure you follow the boating hours for when yall are scouting. I've never hunted that piece of timber, and the different areas you can and can't go don't make sense to me when I read the regulations because of it.

 

[speedster1370]

Yeah we have been looking over the regs for it all and it gets confusing. We think we have it figured out but man it's a lot different than what it is here in tn

 

[duckboy007]

This is genwral green timber advice that had always worked for me. Throw your boat in, and look for water between mid thigh and mid shin. Once you get to ankle they seem to shy away and ditto for waist deep. Watch the woods for a while a look which way the birds are headed. Once youre in the area, find a hole or downed tree, and hit em with your quacker.

Good luck, I'm new to the mid south, and trying to find em in the trees up here as well.

 

[Mattt]

What he said. All ill say is google earth. Best way to know is go in summer u can walk most timber areas and gps the holes. Id have more than one alternate though

 

[speedster1370]

google earth has a become my best friend. And that's kinda what we were thinking but any prior advice is always helpful. Just trying to gain as much knowledge as we can about the place.