Woodcock Info

[Cass]

So I guess the biggest question is, do any of these spring migratory wc go through the Quinte area or do they settle mostly in southwestern Ontario?

[Pointersrule]

So I guess the biggest question is, do any of these spring migratory wc go through the Quinte area or do they settle mostly in southwestern Ontario?

Of course they do....did you even open the PDF link I posted?......it has a few maps showing their Migration ranges and Breeding Range. WC Range from Manitoba all the way to the Atlantic Provinces....so I think your covered Cass.

[Cass]

Looks like I just have to keep an eye on your posts then to figure out when to get out there! I hope its soon, my boy needs to run. He's going stir crazy (and driving me crazy as well) in the house this winter.

[Pointersrule]

Looks like I just have to keep an eye on your posts then to figure out when to get out there! I hope its soon, my boy needs to run. He's going stir crazy (and driving me crazy as well) in the house this winter.

Don't count on me....here is a very useful tool....its a live Migration Map......Tip, when you start seeing them arrive in Penn/New York State on the Map....get ready!!
https://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/...on-Map-History

[Pointersrule]

Just an FYI for those who want to know....I was on the phone with some folks from the US yesterday and OUR WC are still en Masse in Louisianna , Florida and the Carolinas......a little movement started a week or two ago but with the recent storms that has stopped....so looks like they are safe as of yesterday....they did get some ice down in Louisiana last week but nothing that would be harmful to WC.....I just hope they stay put for a while longer and that the weather pattern changes within the next week or 2 or they may run into a wall of trouble.....keep an eye on that Migration Map.

[finsfurfeathers]

Would also like to add be mindful of the pressure you put on the birds. In the woodlots around me migrants stop however its small patchy areas. Its typical to flush them and see them drop 30-40 yards away. Personally I avoid the temptation to go reflush that bird.

[ninepointer]

Thanks PR for the links.

Glad to read that the short-term (10 year) trend is stable, but the long-term slow decline remains troubling. When you see a trend like this in managed jurisdictions, this issue is almost always habitat loss.

[fishhawk]

I remember last year the Woodcock should up real early in the London area, there was still patches of snow on the ground. The Woodcock do seem tired in the spring and only fly a short distance after flushed as mentioned, so i wouldn't recommend working the same bird twice. These guys have made quite the trip. Hopefully spring gets here soon, my dog bored and really needs a good workout.

[welsh]

The Woodcock do seem tired in the spring and only fly a short distance after flushed as mentioned, so i wouldn't recommend working the same bird twice.

I leave the woodcock in the spring for just this reason. It's one thing with a pointing dog but with a flusher I worry about the dog trapping tired birds, which benefits no one. I may be worrying about nothing but I err on the side of caution here.

[Pointersrule]

The birds you find that don't fly far or seem tired....those are birds that literally just arrived that \Night/Morning.....a day rest and they fly fine......no different than when you are chasing them in the Fall but yes, you never go after the same bird and again...common sense goes a long way.