FYI upland show to watch tonight

Just wondering why are a lot of the county and conservation lands in southern Ontario planted in pine? As said pine offers very little to wildlife other then thermal cover in winter. I can usually pick out a county bush in southern Ontario, just look for the pine trees planted in a row.

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Originally Posted by fishhawk

Just wondering why are a lot of the county and conservation lands in southern Ontario planted in pine? As said pine offers very little to wildlife other then thermal cover in winter. I can usually pick out a county bush in southern Ontario, just look for the pine trees planted in a row.

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Speaking in terms of north of GTA such as the Simcoe County Forests and SW Ontario like the Norfolk County Forests, its the sandy soils. I suspect its the same thing in York Region on the moraine. The origins of these more than a century old forestry programs were to combat soil erosion on marginal farmlands prone to erosion. Pines do well in sandy soil and they make for a revenue generating cash crop. In Simcoe County the forestry program turns a profit, enough so that the County is able to acquire and plant more land.

Its a mixed blessing for hunters; lot of public land, but much of it a sterile mono-culture, cultivated for harvest.

I'm starting to get long in the tooth and as such I've seen several reforestation areas progress. Yes, they're planted with pines. When the pines are harvested, very nice open natural hardwoods replace them. It is truly amazing how times flies. In 40 years I've seen areas pass from pine seedlings to 6" diameter hardwoods!!!

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Originally Posted by mark_t1012001

I'm starting to get long in the tooth and as such I've seen several reforestation areas progress. Yes, they're planted with pines. When the pines are harvested, very nice open natural hardwoods replace them. It is truly amazing how times flies. In 40 years I've seen areas pass from pine seedlings to 6" diameter hardwoods!!!

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Got to concur. This year a fair number of woodcock taken were in areas I wouldn't expect finding them in. Had a bit of wonderlust last fall and sampled a few new areas. With the dogs on a freer reign was suprised to find birds where they shouldn't be.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

So if you got wild TV might want to catch tonights episode of The Flush.
Hope its the repeat of the one I saw yesturday.
Nice upland hunt for woodcock and grouse featuring a Setter, Shorthair, and Pointer,
8:30 pm

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Enjoyed the episode. They weren’t big on gently lifting the birds, were they? :)

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

Enjoyed the episode. They weren’t big on gently lifting the birds, were they? :)

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Quicker pace made for a more exciting show rather than featuring some old fart creeping around the woods :moose:
Was a typical hunt though even with some trees taken.

Was it the episode with Ron Boehm? Beaver island in Lake Michigan?

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Originally Posted by dilly

Was it the episode with Ron Boehm? Beaver island in Lake Michigan?

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No the episode took place in Wisconsin. The Beaver Island one was good as well.

Yup, those pine forests are just a monoculture. Not much in them.

Good show