Woodcock watch

[finsfurfeathers]

Wow, that's a nose!

its ok not as good as his mother who can point them 2 weeks before they arive \
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kNoZ87]

[Jnyiri]

Find 3-4 birds yesterday. Quite a few point with nothing on the other end.

[finsfurfeathers]

Knew all it take was a little rain and the birds will show up managed to spot a few
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kPqtRt]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kPqtJK]

But with expert birders made it easier

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kPu4ve]

[Jnyiri]

Found 6-7 birds today plus a bonus grouse.(click the pics)

Untitled by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr

Untitled by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr

[finsfurfeathers]

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?

[Cass]

We haven't bumped any yet but the robins have been here in swarms for weeks. They're here somewhere.

[finsfurfeathers]

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.

[be2man]

Not sure this thread is the best idea for a public forum?

[finsfurfeathers]

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.
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.

[be2man]

"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.