Almost that time....thought I saw one flying last evening.
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Almost that time....thought I saw one flying last evening.
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Im sure the locals are
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Just went out dog put up 6 but only one solid point so that was not good lol
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One flushed today.
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Two found on Tuesday but they where locals. They new that bush well and all the perfect escape routes. I find the locals take a lower flight path thru the brush while the new arrivals will fly up into more open spaces giving an easier shot.
Have not started moving yet up here
Seeing very small very young birds. I would put themthem couple weeks behind ducks nesting wise.
Averaging 5-6 sightings per evening
Moved one today.
Good news grouse bounced back well pup ran into 12 today. First 5 were scattered singles which gave me some concern as usually run into family groups on the first outing. That was quickly put to rest when I the pup put up a group of 4.
Bad news? Pup only found 3 scattered woodcock. Again usually run into 2-3 family groups
No shots fired as I've been tasked with providing a couple of samples for the west nile study on grouse so of course no clean shots occurred.
Tuesday Sept. 25
Light Drizzle, Mild Day
WMU 60
Hunting Solo, No Dog
Walked For 2 Hours
No Birds Seen/Heard
Going Way Up North With My Dog, Right After Thanksgiving :)
Gee you may be leaving them behind. Thanksgiving weekend is the time I expect them to show up in our neck of the woods.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkman
Well, that might be true fff ... But my GSP is now five years old and he has never experienced abundant and silly birds!
I figured, I owe him a trip to places like Temagami or Kirkland Lake area... Of course we should do this before moose season and snow!
I hear ya. Wish I could do the same my problem hate driving more than a couple of hours and like to sleep in my own bed way too much. Have to entertain the dogs with what's around here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkman
Seen 4 this evening
I have been standing at the same spot three evenings in a row
Yesterday it was drizzling
Averaging 3-5 sightings per outing
I shoot one per outing. Makes for a nice time out after supperwith my pup and we r both enjoying the scenery,the smells.etc Dusk and dawn are magical times to be out. So much is moving.
Hunting north bay area. In 3 days only flushed 4 woodcock. Lots of leaves on still but nice to see single digit weather coming
WMU 60 again, four hour walk on Friday afternoon. Zero birds seen or heard.
Definitely heading north after Thanksgiving...
Friday I had 8 flushes at Hullett. Juvenile birds.
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So looks like a few birds are on the move. Put up10 woodcock however not a shot given. Steady dogs, tight sitting woodcock, and canopy still up all added up to more sight seeing than shooting. On the up side put up 8 grouse fortunately 1 gave me a decent opportunity and allowed me to complete a test kit for West Nile research being done.
Weathers been too nice with highs forecasted for 28'C tomorrow. Need a front to get the birds moving Still early.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1968/...56f6c022_z.jpgDSCN0059 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
Only one woodcock today.
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Thought you were duck hunting today?Quote:
Originally Posted by welsh
That was the original plan. Instead went for pheasants, with lead ... and had to pass up a flight of teal. :)
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moved 2 around Newmarket today
and 9 in GTA yesterday
both in 1.5 hours
Today, 2 hours, 5 flushes, 2 shot at, 1 bird in the bag. Orillia area. All the birds were widely scattered, making me think they're local birds.
Hunted in minden yesterday. 3 woodcock in 2 hours. Lots of leaves up still
Hunted 3.5 hours today and moved 6 near Barrie.
Birds are trickling down dozen woodcock and a few grouse moved today only 1 made it to the board.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1958/...20178708_z.jpgDSCN0062 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
Time to get serious as almost completely without pin feathers however saddle bags not fully filled out.
North wind and freezing temps for Wednesday should have the birds on the move time to call in sick I think.
I think I'm finally figuring what kind of cover to look for, but I'm not sure the difference between local and flight birds.
I'm from Niagara and flushed about 10 birds and bagged 3 in about 2.5 hours of hunting.
My dog held point on the last bird of the day better than she ever has (sort of like when she's on point on a planted chucker)... so exciting!
I've interrogated a lot of woodcock but they never have given up their home base. Really no difference between flight or locals other than the fact you'll see a steady increase in numbers until one day they are all gone. Typically when one says a flight has come in they have found a concentrated area of woodcock often though all that is seen is a forest floor washed in white splashes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jburl
...and that's the reason ones pursues those little birds :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Jburl
Well... My 5 year old GSP is cute and athletic and enthusiastic, etc. BUT he has not ever pointed a woodcock for me yet.
He might be just getting the idea about grouse lately. JUST.
We just went to North Bay area, then continued on to Elk Lake, Gowganda, Shining Tree, and Sudbury.
Three and a half days of hunting.
1500 km round trip.
Zero woodcock seen or flushed.
Nine total grouse seen/heard. (Yes, Only NINE)
Two total grouse in the bag, because my shooting sucked. :(
All the local people I spoke to - plus other hunters - told me that the numbers were quite low this year.
Dog and I had a blast regardless.
If you haven't shot any over the dog it might not have made the connection. My dog flushes the odd woodcock but I think it's more but accident than anything else as I've never shot one over him. I would absolutely love to get one from someone to use for training. Now grouse on the other hand... he's a vacuum and I know if he's not finding them there aren't any to be found. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...60eb53086a.jpg
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I bet my dog only points about 1 out of 6. Not sure if there smell is different or not. She does find them and almost runs them over though.
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Got five sat. Barrie area. My Pudelpointer locks hard on them. My shooting not so much.
Thanks for the report. In that area wc are not easy to find, you need to find the right habitat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkman
Grouse population have been low there for 2-3 years.
This year I missed my annual trip(s) north :(
I moved 6 today around Newmarket and 10 yesterday in GTA.
I think we should get bigger waves in the next few days, mostly next week.
Out this morning. Didnt move a single woodcock. East of Toronto
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Not many around this year and not sure if any of you read the MNRF news they send out I believe quarterly. It reads as follows:
You know the American woodcock -- that odd little bird with a long beak and stubby little legs? A number were reported dead this spring by our readers. "What happened?" they asked.
MNRF biologists think spring gave them the cold shoulder.
The American woodcock migrates from as far away as the Gulf of Mexico. As the days lengthen and the weather changes, woodcocks and other migratory species instinctively know when to wing it home.
But timing is everything. To nest and breed successfully, migratory birds need to arrive when their habitat is ready and their food supply hits its peak. If the weather doesn't cooperate, key food sources like worms, insects, fruits and nectar may not be available when the birds arrive.
Biologists think that may be what happened to American woodcocks in the spring. The snow and ice-covered ground prevented them from finding their favourites foods -- earthworms and other invertebrates.
Want to help biologists track changes to bird populations and habitats? Become a citizen scientist and share your sightings. For more information on volunteering, please visit the Bird Studies Canada website.
I got into a good flight north of London this morning. Ten finds and six in the bag. Looks like there starting to move through.
Flushed 6 north of Vineland two weekends ago but this past weekend hunting by Gogama I walked about 12 miles and my dog pointed two grouse and no woodcock at all.
Last night the mercury hit 0C and snow squalls pushed through. However really hasn't push the birds along. Still seeing more birds filling the bush.
Only thing never had such a hard time drawing a bead on them. Ya the birds may have been a little skittish today but the canopy is almost down. Can it be I'm actually slowing down:$
still think the best is still to come.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1953/...3ee93f9e_z.jpgDSCN0064 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
This evening Orillia area in 2 hours I moved 5 WC all widely scattered. No birds were harmed.
Attachment 37448
Shooting was two for two today. That doesn't happen very often...lol.
Six flushed up at Hullett this morning. Shot three. Seems they're trickling through.
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Did a tour of Luther today. several grouse, dozen woodcock and a bonus snipe found. Only 2 hit the board though.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1943/...01b02ce4_z.jpgDSCN0066 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
My cousin and I flushed 12 near Collingwood and managed to put 7 down . One was little to close of shot. Attachment 37451
You did that without a dog, impressiveQuote:
Originally Posted by Frank16
Went out for an hour today with the dog didn't move any bear Sarnia.
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More birds leaving than arriving. Made the best of it with the ones remaining.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1944/...efcf9072_z.jpgDSCN0072 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
Nice..........Beautiful fall pic
Moved 6 friday North stratford. Moved 14 on sunday north london.
What kind of bush, habitat do you look for? All my areas are hardwoods and areas with grassy and clusters of treesQuote:
Originally Posted by Pigeoneater5000
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2 wc moved around Barrie (public land mostly), lots of white splash, looks like there are were lots of birds there within a few days - Southern ON guys, they're probably around London now :)
1 wc around Newmarket, usually there's lots of birds there, but it was the first time I checked the spot this year.
Caught up with some birds. A little challenging today as concentrated birds made for multiple flushes for the pup. Mom played clean up as was too pooped to pose.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1906/...0e7c756b_z.jpgDSCN0074 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
post location pls.
Just about to head out the door to see if I can find any out in prince Edward county. Just going to be a quick hunt as I am working nights tonight. Hopefully they're still piling up there before crossing lake ontario. I haven't seen a single one yet this fall.
Didn't need too you pretty much did it for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz
Quote:
Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz
2 flushes on the same bird. That was it. Missed the first time and wasn't able to shoot the second time. This spot im usually putting up woodcock into the end of November / early December. Worried I may have missed the migration with cooler temps this year. Looking like another year that I won't get the opportunity to get one in the dog's mouth.
If the weather forecast holds true snow in Gravenhurst should push the last of them down. The cooler temps may have pushed them along however I think lack of rain may be the problem. Been finding my usual spots are drier than norm and have found birds more closely related to water in the bush. If you're not seeing puddles have a look around for wetter habitat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cass
They are here in London - along the Thames where I normally go. Setter is very happy. :)
On the river today in Wellington county masquerading as ducks...
Sunday - 3 woodcock in 3 hours. Hunting in woodstock area. Birds harvested were very fatty.
moved 9 birds in 1.5 hours around Newmarket.
We worked hard for this birds.
Sadly it was the best day this season.
I haven't cleaned the birds, but only one appeared to be fat. Not good.
Most look like females, so it has to be the tail end of the migration.
Almost done :(
Lets hope not I need them to keep me entertained until the deer control hunt.
I'm going to try again tomorrow morning
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I’m still seeing them a bit north of London. 3-5 this morning and bagged a couple in north Huron county on the weekend.
Saturday near Barrie in 3.5 hours we had 2 flushes. Then we found a flock in last half hour and ended up with 8 flushes for the day, 2 birds in the bag, in the falling snow. I'm done for the year.
11 flushed this morning near Lake Erie. Much slower action than I expected given recent weather.
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Not a single one flushed today in PEC and only 1 grouse. Beautiful sunny day but nothing around. Almost wasn't worth the gas.
gorgeous day today. Started off a bit frosty but with a full sun day almost became to warm to hunt. Was brought to a new area introduced to me by another woodcock hunter bit further east than last time. Bad start as put Nova down first but within 10 minutes noticed a bloody back leg. Some how the bugger got a deep gash. Brought him back to the Jeep clean him up a bit and retired him for the day. Brought out Stella for a double shift. Although the terrain look amazing and clear evidence of more birds than seen only found a dozen birds with 6 making it to the board.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1930/...34f254d8_z.jpgDSCN0076 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
Think you can easily read Stella's body language as I fear this may be the end. With the control hunt coming up think by the time we return the last will be gone for another year.
8 woodcock found this morning, North shore of Lake Erie.
one birds around Newmarket today. We're done here, farewell little suckers
One near Sarnia. I mustve missed them.
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DUMBFOUNDED... :confused:
I have hunted several WMUs this year, -both with and without dog - always looking for grouse AND woodcock.
It baffles my old brain that I have NOT seen or flushed a SINGLE woodcock this year.
Something just ain't right... :whacked::whacked:
Last day always a crazy day. Had to leave Nova at home today as he's still nursing a deep gash from his last hunt but really he would not have helped today. Not a lot of birds left and the ones that remain were running the thick stuff like mice in a barn. When flushed they took wing to parts unknown unlike the typical fly of 30-40 yards and pitch down.
6 hit the board but with 1 hen and the rest males me thinks the party is over.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4829/...b8690cbf_z.jpgDSCN0080 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/]
Hope your dog recovers quickly - mine was attacked by a deer once - $1300.
Love those puffballs. :)
confused: You said "last day" but certainly not the last day here unless I have lost my mind which is possible- turned 72 yesterday. :)
region 4:
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment...s/ontario.html
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARON.
FFF, I am going to be your shadow next year ;)
Ya the CWS has a sick sense of humour. Although Closes Dec 20? the numbers just aren't there. This week most often would be the last week I would expect to find numbers but with the deer hunt on just don't like tramping through the woods. Next Monday they are already calling for some heavy lake effect snow so for me Sunday for all intensive purpose was the last day for woodcockQuote:
Originally Posted by Sharon
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkman
But what's in it for me? ;) :D
Gee... That depends my friend. Do you like donuts? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
I haven't flushed any yet where I normally see them. Either I missed them or they missed me .
Sunday we had an awesome day hunting north of london. 12 birds in 4 hours. I hope to catch a few more on pelee island this week for the clean up hunt.
Attachment 37596
This morning got into a good flight south of London with at least 10 finds and managed to put six in the bag.
Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada, which tracks bird collisions with buildings in cities & rehabs injured birds, logged two woodcock yesterday in Toronto. So they are still coming through.
I think we're a week late this year.
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Now you are making me feel really bad. How'd you do that with out annoying some deer hunters?Quote:
Originally Posted by fishhawk
FFF I was hunting a wildlife management area that does not allow deer hunting.
Dam learn something new everyday. Never thought to look for non deer hunting areas. Time to do some research if not for next year,Quote:
Originally Posted by fishhawk
Would of liked to get out before they are all gone.
Hunting Sunday near Fonthill think I have seen the last woodcock of the year.
Went out this morning in Norfolk county flushed 3 woodcock as well as a grouse. Enjoyable morning