Is it time too start the woodcock watch thread?

[mark_t1012001]

Single woodcock yesterday and the same again today. Different areas.

[finsfurfeathers]

few more birds around awfully jumpy though. sure beats looking for easter eggs though.
DSCN0021 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/], on Flickr

DSCN0023 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153457252@N02/], on Flickr

[sidelock]

I travelled a ways today, hit a spot that loads up with birds in early November.
We did not see even one bird.
And this spot is loaded from Halloween to Remembrance Day.
I guess I will check it again in two weeks?

The birds should be on eggs by then and will abandon their nest if disturbed. Just sayin !

[Mount Sweetness]

I hit 3 different spots these past couple of days and put up 3 birds.
It seems like single birds for the most part, have not came into any numbers.

The quiet time in Michigan starts April 15th, that is what I go by as I am near Detroit. Which gives me two more weeks. Cheers.

[finsfurfeathers]

I hit 3 different spots these past couple of days and put up 3 birds.
It seems like single birds for the most part, have not came into any numbers.

The quiet time in Michigan starts April 15th, that is what I go by as I am near Detroit. Which gives me two more weeks. Cheers.

My guess it looks like to be a drawn out migration seems they aren't moving on mass. Across the property finding single birds here and there but no real concentration.

[mark_t1012001]

We continue to see single birds every day. Bonus pair of grouse yesterday!

[tom gobble]

Not that i'm against people training there dogs but do you guys find training your dogs on wild game in the off season puts stress on those species that are not needed after migrations or during breeding times. Its like fishing without a hook when trout are spawning. Im not trying to create a debate, its more curiosity and understanding of the act.

[fishhawk]

The spring woodcock migration is highly anticipated by bird dog owners. It’s known as the second season or the catch and release season. It Puts no undo stress on the birds or very little compared to predators.

[finsfurfeathers]

Not that i'm against people training there dogs but do you guys find training your dogs on wild game in the off season puts stress on those species that are not needed after migrations or during breeding times. Its like fishing without a hook when trout are spawning. Im not trying to create a debate, its more curiosity and understanding of the act.

Think of it this way...... why did you fish the credit when the steelhead are migrating up for their spawning run they don't need the added stress eh? Done right there is no impact on them.
Woodcock migrated easily 1000km so an added flight of another 50-100 yards doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
Now if someone goes and reflushes 2 or more times the exhausted bird may be in distress but that's what responsible stewardship is all about.

[tom gobble]

Think of it this way...... why did you fish the credit when the steelhead are migrating up for their spawning run they don't need the added stress eh? Done right there is no impact on them.
Woodcock migrated easily 1000km so an added flight of another 50-100 yards doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
Now if someone goes and reflushes 2 or more times the exhausted bird may be in distress but that's what responsible stewardship is all about.

Fishing the credit during the migration of steelhead is aloud and in season on certain parts of the river. Plus they never spawned yet! so don't use that example. I used the example as if fishing season is closed and you tried fishing for example "steelhead" in a no fishing zone with no hook and called it practicing. Anyways as I said before this is not an attack im just trying to understand the tradition, and the effect it might cause. I love watching dogs work and respect the time it takes to get a dog to point and hunt. Its like guys running rabbits in summer, It must cause some stress on these animals.