Small game hunting looms large starting tomorrow
Tomorrow marks the beginning of several small game hunting seasons, including ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, coyote and wild turkey (although I don’t consider turkey as “small game” since there’s a seasonal rather than daily limit on harvesting them). While rabbit and grouse seasons remain open until Feb. 28, 2011, others close earlier, so hunters need to check the regulations for when the other game species seasons close.
I found it encouraging to hear some distant early morning shotgun volleys this month, indicative that at least some hunters are harvesting overabundant Canada geese in our area. Probably due to the specialized nature of goose hunting?which often requires large decoy spreads, calls, and expensive non-toxic ammo?the number of hunters participating in our part of the state seems to have declined significantly in recent years, despite the liberal daily limits and numerous geese flocks.
As reported in previous columns, grouse populations in our area have been steadily declining, and apparently the DEC is admitting that. In a recent press release the department notes: “While some grouse are found in more mature forests, the greatest population densities are in younger forests. These preferred habitats are declining as most of New York State's forests grow older, resulting in a decline in grouse numbers since the 1960s.” Upland hunters are being asked to participate in a survey which asks hunters to record their daily grouse hunting activities on a “Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log.” The hunting log requests information such as the number of hours hunted, number of grouse flushed, and the number of birds killed. The log can be downloaded at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html.
After decades of watching our state forests mature to climax levels (especially the evergreen plantations) the DEC is finally starting to cull some of this old growth in strips to allow fresh growth to appear. Since low emerging flora is the key to supporting many species of wildlife, such as grouse, rabbit, hare and woodcock, this offers a promise that we’ll eventually start seeing a more diversified mix of wildlife in our public forest lands.
On a related note the DEC is also asking sportsmen and non-sportsmen alike to consider purchasing the $5 Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. The new 2010-2011 stamp features a drawing of a pair of Common Loons. Buying a $5 stamp is a way to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. More information about purchasing a Habitat Stamp is available at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/329.html .
Although I’ve heard reports of large turkey flocks, the norm appears to be smaller flocks with fewer poults than in previous autumns. There also seems to be poults that are substantially smaller in size than normal, probably the result of hens either re-nesting after losing their first clutch, or nesting later in the spring due to inclimate weather earlier. Seeing as how the spring season turkey harvest was well below average, it pointed toward fewer birds being available this fall.
According to the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), DEC Wildlife biologist Mike Schiavone reported that hunter flush rates of grouse and woodcock last fall were slightly better than the year before, with good hard and soft mast production last summer and fall. Flush rates were relatively good last year, but the productivity this year is expected to be impacted due to a very wet June. Hunters should expect fair to good hunting this year. Spring woodcock singing ground surveys indicated an increase in singing males over last year. Breeding woodcock numbers in the state have been stable over the last 10 years. Hunters should expect good woodcock hunting, particularly during the migration period.
In comparison, RGS reports that Pennsylvania is a bright spot for eastern grouse hunting. Hunter flush rates last hunting season were the best in seven years and roughly equal to the 44-year average of the survey, according to Bill Palmer, recently retired forest wildlife biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The north central and northwest regions that are heavily forested and offer millions of acres of public hunting had the highest flush rates. A multitude of options for grouse hunting on public lands is available in all parts of the state. Very large state forests, the Allegheny National Forest, many state game lands and even Corps of Engineer lands offer good grouse hunting. Woodcock populations remain stable in the state. Spring singing ground surveys indicate similar numbers to last year. There has been little change in the singing ground survey since the mid-90’s. Woodcock enthusiasts should keep in mind that hunting is allowed on state parks, where some of the best old-field woodcock habitat can be found.
For duck hunters, Ducks Unlimited (DU) reports that in the eastern survey area (eastern Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Maine, and northern New York), the abundance of most duck species?including mallards, black ducks, green-winged teal, and ring-necked ducks?was statistically similar to last year’s estimate and the long-term average. In our Southeast Zone, duck seasons this year are Oct 9 - Oct 17 and Nov 6 - Dec 26. Check the DEC regs for daily and special limits. Generally, The daily limit of 6 ducks includes all species of mergansers, and may include no harlequin ducks and no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 canvasback, 4 scoters or 2 hooded mergansers.
And if you can’t seem to find any other small game species, try hunting gray squirrels – there are always plenty of them.
Honey Seeking Bear Shot
Last week a black bear was shot in Chenango County while trying to break into a beehive to eat the honeycomb there. Obviously homeowners, farmers and others have a right to protect their property, but they should also make at least some attempt to provide barriers or take steps to discourage roaming wildlife from destroying things.
I found it encouraging to hear some distant early morning shotgun volleys this month, indicative that at least some hunters are harvesting overabundant Canada geese in our area. Probably due to the specialized nature of goose hunting?which often requires large decoy spreads, calls, and expensive non-toxic ammo?the number of hunters participating in our part of the state seems to have declined significantly in recent years, despite the liberal daily limits and numerous geese flocks.
As reported in previous columns, grouse populations in our area have been steadily declining, and apparently the DEC is admitting that. In a recent press release the department notes: “While some grouse are found in more mature forests, the greatest population densities are in younger forests. These preferred habitats are declining as most of New York State's forests grow older, resulting in a decline in grouse numbers since the 1960s.” Upland hunters are being asked to participate in a survey which asks hunters to record their daily grouse hunting activities on a “Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log.” The hunting log requests information such as the number of hours hunted, number of grouse flushed, and the number of birds killed. The log can be downloaded at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html.
After decades of watching our state forests mature to climax levels (especially the evergreen plantations) the DEC is finally starting to cull some of this old growth in strips to allow fresh growth to appear. Since low emerging flora is the key to supporting many species of wildlife, such as grouse, rabbit, hare and woodcock, this offers a promise that we’ll eventually start seeing a more diversified mix of wildlife in our public forest lands.
On a related note the DEC is also asking sportsmen and non-sportsmen alike to consider purchasing the $5 Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. The new 2010-2011 stamp features a drawing of a pair of Common Loons. Buying a $5 stamp is a way to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. More information about purchasing a Habitat Stamp is available at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/329.html .
Although I’ve heard reports of large turkey flocks, the norm appears to be smaller flocks with fewer poults than in previous autumns. There also seems to be poults that are substantially smaller in size than normal, probably the result of hens either re-nesting after losing their first clutch, or nesting later in the spring due to inclimate weather earlier. Seeing as how the spring season turkey harvest was well below average, it pointed toward fewer birds being available this fall.
According to the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), DEC Wildlife biologist Mike Schiavone reported that hunter flush rates of grouse and woodcock last fall were slightly better than the year before, with good hard and soft mast production last summer and fall. Flush rates were relatively good last year, but the productivity this year is expected to be impacted due to a very wet June. Hunters should expect fair to good hunting this year. Spring woodcock singing ground surveys indicated an increase in singing males over last year. Breeding woodcock numbers in the state have been stable over the last 10 years. Hunters should expect good woodcock hunting, particularly during the migration period.
In comparison, RGS reports that Pennsylvania is a bright spot for eastern grouse hunting. Hunter flush rates last hunting season were the best in seven years and roughly equal to the 44-year average of the survey, according to Bill Palmer, recently retired forest wildlife biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The north central and northwest regions that are heavily forested and offer millions of acres of public hunting had the highest flush rates. A multitude of options for grouse hunting on public lands is available in all parts of the state. Very large state forests, the Allegheny National Forest, many state game lands and even Corps of Engineer lands offer good grouse hunting. Woodcock populations remain stable in the state. Spring singing ground surveys indicate similar numbers to last year. There has been little change in the singing ground survey since the mid-90’s. Woodcock enthusiasts should keep in mind that hunting is allowed on state parks, where some of the best old-field woodcock habitat can be found.
For duck hunters, Ducks Unlimited (DU) reports that in the eastern survey area (eastern Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Maine, and northern New York), the abundance of most duck species?including mallards, black ducks, green-winged teal, and ring-necked ducks?was statistically similar to last year’s estimate and the long-term average. In our Southeast Zone, duck seasons this year are Oct 9 - Oct 17 and Nov 6 - Dec 26. Check the DEC regs for daily and special limits. Generally, The daily limit of 6 ducks includes all species of mergansers, and may include no harlequin ducks and no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 canvasback, 4 scoters or 2 hooded mergansers.
And if you can’t seem to find any other small game species, try hunting gray squirrels – there are always plenty of them.
Honey Seeking Bear Shot
Last week a black bear was shot in Chenango County while trying to break into a beehive to eat the honeycomb there. Obviously homeowners, farmers and others have a right to protect their property, but they should also make at least some attempt to provide barriers or take steps to discourage roaming wildlife from destroying things.
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