Still a tad early but its getting close for their return
Have a pair of doves starting to check out their tradition nesting basket on the porch wall this morning, usually woodcock start showing up a week or two later
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Still a tad early but its getting close for their return
Have a pair of doves starting to check out their tradition nesting basket on the porch wall this morning, usually woodcock start showing up a week or two later
Hopefully most of the snow will melt in these few nice days.
Seen a Grackle today. Migrants on the move
Seen a robin this morning
harbingers of woodcock.....robins, Grackles and redwings when they arrive week later the woodcock show themselvesQuote:
Originally Posted by sambo
Nothing yet
Took dogs for a little 2 hour hike outside Stratford area on Friday. This bush lot traditionally holds a few woodcock. Lots of swans and geese in the flooded fields so I was excited pulling up but no woodcock found.
Saw one at Hullet on Saturday. Hopefully he can hunker down til it warms up a little more.
Reports of a few just north of hwy 7 last couple of days.
They are here. Not to many yet but definitely here. Found some yesterday.
WC are north of Barrie.
Spring can be messy but fun.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...940c6f02_b.jpgIMG_5834 by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9a379f53_b.jpgIMG_5811 by Jozsef Nyiri, on
Flickrhttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b198dc1d_b.jpgIMG_5806 by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr
Peenting males north of Fenelon Falls since the 16th.
Bit envious of reports further north. Nothing around me but not suprised as the area is unusually dry. Hope to get out sunday morning for a run in a wetter local really don't want to have to tread north.
Those are great pictures! Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jnyiri
FIrst of our season today south Severn Township north of Barrie.
My dog put up 3 near Elimira on March 10.
Morning run with Nova produced a couple of points however no woodcock found, may have been last fall passing
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fe2b5cbf_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kMVnsP]\
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ae77c747_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kMRKcf]
gonna finish brunch and out again with Stella this afternoon
Wow, that's a nose!Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
its ok not as good as his mother who can point them 2 weeks before they arive :silly:\Quote:
Originally Posted by be2man
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4fdee3f9_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kNoZ87]
Find 3-4 birds yesterday. Quite a few point with nothing on the other end.
Knew all it take was a little rain and the birds will show up managed to spot a few
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...95b6c49a_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kPqtRt]
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...601b2f24_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kPqtJK]
But with expert birders made it easier
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d8fc65bf_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kPu4ve]
Found 6-7 birds today plus a bonus grouse.(click the pics)
https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/...407a752d_b.jpgUntitled by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/...3e8d9a20_b.jpgUntitled by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr
took advantage of the poor weather to run a local dog park. Found a few birds. Interesting observation typically find spring birds quite spooky and tend to test a dog however the birds seem to be sitting much like fall birds. anyone else notice the difference?
We haven't bumped any yet but the robins have been here in swarms for weeks. They're here somewhere.
Good to hear from you. Ya its been a strange spring and I think the unusually dry conditions are to blame. wasn't until the last rain we got that I found birds in the old haunts around my place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cass
Not sure this thread is the best idea for a public forum?
This question comes up every year and no one can provide a definitive answer. I beleive its because we have been responsible in what we do so regulations haven't been needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by be2man
The only regulation that gave definitive guidance I found was in the waterfowl act that probibits the disturbance of nest or eggs of migratory birds. So I stop running my dogs when nests are encountered.
Other guidance might be found at such places like Hullet that permit/prohibt dog training during certain times.
In the end I look towards the States where they take an active process of studing the bird unlike us that sit back an wonder why numbers are falling.
Their process involves using pointing dogs to find hens and their chicks in which the chicks are banded. All that handling seems to have no effect so can't beleive finding a migrant bird does any harm.
In the end I'm not saying its legal with absolute certainty however one must do what they feel is right.
One thing to consider without promoting our sport upland hunting will continue to fade into obilivion. I've yet to have a young/new hunter inquire about hunting with dogs and show any interest in learning the ropes.
"To conduct dog training and field trials on
game species during the closed season an
authorization or licence issued by MNRF is
required."
Page 31 of the general regs in the Ontario summary 2020.
That seems pretty definitive.
I guess if you've got that covered, you're good to go.
Every year this illegal activity is discussed on this forum and every year it is brought to the attention of the mods/admin but for some reason the discussion and acceptance of this illegal activity is permitted..
Lets get this straight the activity is not illegal. No where you will see you can not run dogs. As I said earlier the only prohibited activity I can find is disturbance of nest and eggs of migratory birds. The fact you can obtain paper work deems the activity is legal.
You are, by definition, hunting woodcock during a closed season. The fact you aren’t shooting at them is immaterial.
the permits are issued for game species like pheasants, not woodcock.
No I'm bird watching see the photos. Granted having the birds pointed out by the dogs makes it alot easier to see and photograph.Quote:
Originally Posted by dilly
Ok, yeah....you are right....carry on
oh, and please post LOTS of pictures and note the dates you are doing it....
Unfortunately we are getting close to nesting time and for the most parts the birds have moved on.
But don't worry they'll be more pictures come the fall.
This is a good question for “Ask a CO”...the answer may surprise people ....Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers