2017 woodcock reports thread

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

Please post short reports only, include location (Duh!)

oct 5
newmarket

sadly my first day wc hunting this year
3 dogs put up about a dozen flushes in one hour, some repeats I am sure. All in one very small private bush that no one hunts. 6 months old pup had great first time on wild birds.

[mark_t1012001]

The pup and I got our 2nd doodle of the season today. I'm only seeing local singles so far. North of Barrie

[Jnyiri]

Went out twice this week, just outside of gta. First moved 3 birds in 2 hour only could shot at 1 (miss). Second time 2 birds 2 hour no shot was taken.

[Downwind]

Moved 2 wc, took one and a grouse. Should quit while my shooting percentage is the highest it will be all season! Oct 2 kawarthas

[Hawkman]

October 5 between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
First outing of the year.
Hunting near Bobcaygeon in a "new-to-me" area.
4 year old GSP less than enthusiastic and I'm not sure why?!
Moved 6 grouse but had no shot. (4 seen + 2 heard)
No WC but we walked on the gravel road most of the time.

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

Oct 6
Newmarket

Hunted the same small bush second day in a row, 4 flushes (one repeat).

[Jnyiri]

IMG_1324.jpg
Today moved 4 birds. Got one miss one and no shot taken at the other two. The cover is to thick.


Ps. Anyone have an idea why my pic is sideway?

[Couliewalker]

Well I don't know what to think of this
In the Kl district,I have been keeping journals of all my WC sightings since 2001 and up till 2014 all seemed normal.
Then the bottom fell out.
Went from sighting well over 100 local birds ( left out flight birds because to include them doesn't paint a true picture)to less than 10. Now let's talk flight birds.there are none.I've read that they are in decline approx 10% /yr.I think it is much worse.It's not the cover.I have scoured miles of the same cover,it is picture perfect.I have chased WC for 40 yrs.,It pains to finally conclude, they are gone.
From Cochrane to New Liskeard.I'm out every evening watching for birds.Nothing.
Where I would see 10-15 per evening I'm seeing 2-3 across the board,many places none.
Can anyone shed any light.We have had 2 consecutive cold wet springs.It is the only variable,but is it enough to have this much of a negative affect.I've seen a drop in grouse which has been attributed to a poor hatch last two yrs but nowhere near as drastic as the drop in WC.Not even close.

[punkrockerpj]

ive noticed a healthy number this year

[welsh]

5 flushes in a short, mosquito-plagued Hullett hunt this am.

Re decline in wc, Bird Studies Canada shows gradual decline in Ontario population, not 10% per year.

Habitat *is* a big consideration. WC don't just need the classic cover hunters look for. They need singing fields adjacent to that cover. And lots of those singing fields, because males are territorial and don't share their fields.

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