Arkansas Flooded Timber: Hunt with Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Guide
If you dream in green timber and sound like a hail call when you tap the steering wheel, Arkansas is calling your name.
At Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Guide – chosen as the #1 duck hunting guide service in the U.S. (2016, Game & Fish Magazine) – we bring a century-and-a-half of know‑how to the Natural State. We deliver guided hunting services across both Tennessee and Arkansas, but this post is all about the flooded woods, rice, and river country that make Arkansas legendary for guided duck hunting.
Mike Newsom, our founder, is one of waterfowling’s “young guns” – energetic, savvy, and deadly on a call. He’s a student of duck behavior, and that skillset traces back to market‑hunting roots: his great‑grandfather guided on Reelfoot during the Great Depression, making waterfowling our family craft for over 150 years. We’ve simply carried that tradition west to Arkansas, where close‑working birds and tight‑cover shots keep your heart in your throat!
What Makes Arkansas Hunts Different from Tennessee
Arkansas sits squarely in the Mississippi Flyway and offers a rare mix of habitats within a short drive: flooded timber, rice, willow brakes, sloughs, and oxbows. That variety lets us adapt quickly to changing conditions and put clients where birds want to be. This is guided flooded timber duck hunting the way it should feel:
Intimate, vocal, and personal.
Arkansas Waterfowl Habitat Cheat Sheet
Habitat Type | Typical Setup | Primary Targets |
Flooded Green Timber | Stand in timber holes; small spreads; heavy calling | Mallards, wood ducks |
Rice Fields & Reservoirs | Layout/blind hides; mixed decoy spreads | Mallards, pintails, wigeon, gadwall |
Willow Brakes & Buckbrush | Hide in natural cover; motion decoys | Mallards, teal, gadwall |
River Sloughs & Oxbows | Boat access; natural pockets | Mixed puddle ducks |
Note: Conditions change. We scout daily and choose the best for your guided duck hunting trip.
How Our Guided Hunting Services Work
We keep groups small in the timber, manage noise and silhouettes, and let the birds write the plan. You’ll learn why we make each move, not just follow along.
Experience | What We Provide | Ideal For |
Guided Duck Hunting (Arkansas) | Professional guide, calling, decoys, blinds/hide strategy, boat/transport to the hole when needed, safety briefing | Hunters who want hands‑on coaching and a classic Arkansas experience |
Guided Flooded Timber Duck Hunting | Timber‑specific setup, hole management, shot discipline coaching, dog work | Purists chasing close finishes and honest working birds |
Guided Goose Hunting | Decoy spreads, calling, mobile field/timber edges as appropriate | Adding snow geese to your trip |
Guided Goose Hunting Trips | Stand‑alone or add‑on mornings with full spreads and concealment | Groups wanting variety and extra opportunity across habitats |
* Licenses and stamps are required; we’ll help you understand what you need and point you to current regulations. Gear lists and lodging recommendations available when you book.
Why Hunt With Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Guide?
Proven Track Record
Named the #1 duck hunting guide service in the U.S. by Game & Fish Magazine (2016).
Heritage You Can Feel
Our Reelfoot lineage goes back 150+ years. We’ve learned a few things about ducks in that time!
A Guide You’ll Want to Share a Blind With
Mike Newsom is skilled in calling and shooting, a master of duck lore and camp cooking, and an outdoorsman who makes a day in the blind memorable.
Arkansas-Focused Tactics
We tailor guided hunting trips to the habitat so you learn what works best and why.
What to Bring to Get the Most from Your Hunt
Firearm & Non‑toxic Ammo
Pattern your gun; bring extra shells.
Waders & Layers
Timber water can be variable; dress for immersion and comfort.
Gloves, Headlamp, Calls (optional)
We’ll do the heavy lifting on calling, but we can also coach if you want to practice.
Dry Bag, Small Essentials
Snacks, water, and phone protection go a long way. Don’t leave home without these essentials!
And the most important of all…
… Mindset
Let’s prioritize safety, communication, and patience while out in the blinds.
Choose Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Guide for Your Excursions
Hunting in Arkansas is one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences in tracking down waterfowl. With proper safety measures, situational awareness, and the help of a guide like Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Guide, you can enjoy a successful and fun season!
Call or TEXT (731) 588‑4531 to talk shop. Tell us how you like to hunt, and we’ll build the guided duck hunting plan that fits. Your guided duck hunting trip starts here.