finsfurfeathers 2024 Upland thread

[ninepointer]

Neither snow nor rain nor wind stays these swift flyers from launching from their pointed coverts. But nary a woodcock to be seen…


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[ninepointer]

Feeling satisfied with all the yard work I accomplished today, I decided to treat me and the dog to a quick hunt on public land close to home. Saw 6 woodcock in 2 hours, all widely scattered singles.



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[finsfurfeathers]

So seen three woodcock in the predawn darkness before leaving the neighborhood so expectations were high. Definitely birds on the move however as the new ones come the current ones are leaving. The start of the hunt sure was crips to say the least but still great conditions for a walk. Started todays hunt where I left off last time. Didn't find them were I left them though. First bird was in the slop of a receding beaver pond. So continued on down the forest an area haven't hunted as its been to wet in previous years. Eventually found a few birds that according to the splash have only been around for a day or 2. continued on and before long Nova ran up on a grouse held his point but may have been a little close as the bird bust just before I got to him. Stella's run was a little more surgical as I want to hit spots where migrants drop in and although found a few more couldn't close the deal.
Honest folks really not limiting myself to two just seems that's how its been working out.

[Frank16]

I am seriously starting to think the woodcock population is in serious trouble! Everybody here, and people I have spoken to, have said the same thing. Spots that once held birds are dry. I really think it's time for OFAH and the Ruffed Grouse Society/ American Woodcock Society to get involved with our MNR to fix this issue. But I guess that is a long shot!

[TroutSlayer]

I'm not sure if climate change has anything to do with it, but I have been seening woodcock on my back lawn here in Mississauga throughout Aug and Sept. 5 or 6 at a time every day or so. I got the impression they were heading south early. First time in 30 years at this house I have seen any woodcock.

[finsfurfeathers]

I am seriously starting to think the woodcock population is in serious trouble! Everybody here, and people I have spoken to, have said the same thing. Spots that once held birds are dry. I really think it's time for OFAH and the Ruffed Grouse Society/ American Woodcock Society to get involved with our MNR to fix this issue. But I guess that is a long shot!

So yes the population is down but what is this "issue" that needs to be fix? There are a lot of reasons one may not be seeing the same numbers as old.
Talking to dad in years gone by woodcock were gone by thanksgiving you'd hit a day or two with crazy numbers of birds than they were gone. Today from the opener till second week of nov you can hunt 'em.
I think we are still seeing the same number but they are trickling through with no major staging till the hit the lake. Is it climate change to blame who knows. Place I hunted yesterday typically could close my eyes go to my go to spots throw a stone and hit a bird however had follow the dogs to spots untried and found them there.

[finsfurfeathers]

Nope didn't want to go out today. Forecast 22'C with a humidex of 27'C . Dad reminded me its Oct 30 and the days are numbered. So packed the jeep and off we went. The first spot held a ton of promise as minutes into Nova's run went on point and I flushed a pair of woodcock however connected with neither. The rest of the circuit was a bust to my surprise. Found a nice natural euro mount and ran into a pair of russian ladies looking for mushrooms. Have thought the perfect partner would be a mushroomer. Often see 'em however carrying a basket is out of the question. Figure with a 'shroomer if we see 'em they can pick them and if the dog goes on point can send them in to flush the bird. Anyways chatting with them they said didn't find any which was no surprise as its been too dry and warm for fall. Anyways off to the next spot but was disappointed as all though midweek the warm weather brought out the atv/motocross guys. Put Stella down and she did find birds managed to connect with 3 before the heat forced us to both tap out.
Friday calling for perfect conditions so will be back at it then.

[Frank16]

Last season I hunted 6 different spots that have always held a very good number of birds. I saw a total of five birds the whole season. I am venting because I'm a member of OFAH, and they made this big deal about cutting down brush and trees in crown properties to help get the small game population the habitat it needs to survive. Has it happened NO! Instead we keep losing grounds to hunt and old bushes keep getting older. The habitat, in my opinion is slowly starting to disappear impacting woodcock nesting grounds. Something needs to be done to help create suitable habitat. Why can't our MNR do what they do in the US?? They have incredible habitat management programs. Our MNR don't give a rats about small game. Its all about Moose, deer, turkey and waterfowl.

[finsfurfeathers]

Last season I hunted 6 different spots that have always held a very good number of birds. I saw a total of five birds the whole season. I am venting because I'm a member of OFAH, and they made this big deal about cutting down brush and trees in crown properties to help get the small game population the habitat it needs to survive. Has it happened NO! Instead we keep losing grounds to hunt and old bushes keep getting older. The habitat, in my opinion is slowly starting to disappear impacting woodcock nesting grounds. Something needs to be done to help create suitable habitat. Why can't our MNR do what they do in the US?? They have incredible habitat management programs. Our MNR don't give a rats about small game. Its all about Moose, deer, turkey and waterfowl.

Have to agree the MNR for all intensive purposes has become a hands off custodian. Aside from collection fees and law enforcement actual hands on wildlife management little to none. All other organizations can try and prompt them but without major funds coming in don't see it happening. On the plus side though have been seeing more cutting and forest management in Simcoe county forests that has improved habitat

[finsfurfeathers]

With the deer hunt starting tomorrow figure this maybe the last kick at the can. Made my way down to Hullet too see if any woodcock stuck around and if not play with some put and take. The place was pretty quiet as sounded like a few guys enjoying some waterfowling but the uplands were lonely at least for sunrise. Worked a couple of areas and found some birds managed two

but whiffed on some gimmes. Sad to say it continued when I moved out in the field

Midmorning had a few guys out saw a nice short hair and a couple of Small Münsterländers.
Also good too see some young blood out with his grandpa.
Time to give the dogs the week off and hope the snows hold off