Now that we're all sitting "on the nest"

[finsfurfeathers]

https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/p...usReport19.pdf
Here's the somber population status data for anyone interested. Data from USGS and Canadian Woodcock surveys since 1968 inception. We've lost 60% of our birds since 1968. The most alarming point is our Eastern flyway leads the pack in decline rate and the %loss per year is now increasing. We're losing another 9% of our remaining birds per decade. This grim news is also mirrored in the last two editions of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.

Reading stats is always a dry read. Yes its well documented that there is a decline in the population. However what's lacking is the cause. As in most population decline habitat loss is usually to blame followed closely by poor recruitment due to weather. Hunter/human interaction seldom is a significant part of the equation.

[BPR 30-06]

[QUOTE=finsfurfeathers;1112641]Reading stats is always a dry read. Yes its well documented that there is a decline in the population. However what's lacking is the cause. As in most population decline habitat loss is usually to blame followed closely by poor recruitment due to weather. Hunter/human interaction seldom is a significant part of the equation.[/QUOTEarding

So my take on this you do not have any concerns regarding deer hunters releasing their hounds for training purpose out of season because they do not carry and rifles or shot guns. There are laws against this!!

[finsfurfeathers]

[QUOTE=BPR 30-06;1112746]

So my take on this you do not have any concerns regarding deer hunters releasing their hounds for training purpose out of season because they do not carry and rifles or shot guns. There are laws against this!!

BPR 30-06 are you familiar how a pointing dog works? There is a fundamental difference that really makes the comparison mute. I don't run hounds, so apologies to hound guys if I'm wrong, only guessing at the answer. I do believe in the regs it specifically says can not run deer. Guess the reason is hounds run game for a prolonged period of time and I can see causing an overly stressed animal. Whereas a pointer endeavors to have the game not flee hence stress is minimal at worst. Still waiting to see the relevant legislation that specifically says you can't train on birds

[finsfurfeathers]

https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/p...usReport19.pdf
Here's the somber population status data for anyone interested. Data from USGS and Canadian Woodcock surveys since 1968 inception. We've lost 60% of our birds since 1968. The most alarming point is our Eastern flyway leads the pack in decline rate and the %loss per year is now increasing. We're losing another 9% of our remaining birds per decade. This grim news is also mirrored in the last two editions of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.

Doom and gloom is one take away. Or one can look too research too improve the forecast.

https://www.providencejournal.com/li...oodcock-chicks

Seems I need to find myself a local researcher, like the title citizen scientist. Rhode Island is too far for me.

[terrym]

The world changes. Always has. Look all you want you won’t find any mammoths or dinosaurs. People don’t like to acknowledge a thing called evolution but it can’t be stopped. Man didn’t cause the ice ages to melt, many species die out and others through millennia mutate and progress. Are there decreases in woodcock, grouse and other species? Absolutely it would happen even if we wore loin cloths and carried clubs. Training bird dogs out of season isn’t killing off woodcock, habitat is and most times it’s developers and subdivisions that are the cause.
Bird dog owners as a group are very respectful of the environment and stop training when birds nest and hatch.

[finsfurfeathers]

. Training bird dogs out of season isn’t killing off woodcock, habitat is and most times it’s developers and subdivisions that are the cause.
Bird dog owners as a group are very respectful of the environment and stop training when birds nest and hatch.

Easy to put the hate on them but unfortunately they are only a symptom of the problem.
Human expansion is the cause of wildlife destruction.
Should the discussion be limit humanity to make room for all?

[terrym]

Not what I said. Again evolution is a rolling ball that we can’t change much but let’s not blame dog owners training off season for the woodcocks decline.

[finsfurfeathers]

let’s not blame dog owners training off season for the woodcocks decline.

To that I fully agree. Decline is most likely related to loss of habitat. Why the habitat is lost most likely to human expansion. Conclusion are easy, solutions will come down to tough decisions.

[terrym]

I fear the woodcock population doesn’t have much weight in this world.

[finsfurfeathers]

I fear the woodcock population doesn’t have much weight in this world.

Don't know about the world but see little interest in the hunting fraternity. Little to no recruitment from new hunters coming into the sport and the more experienced crew has either giving up the ghost or died off. I'd love too see a data comparison on the decline of woodcock and the decline of dedicated woodcock hunters. I'd bet hunter numbers have dropped off faster and maybe declared as endangered or at the minimum threatened.