New York offers hunting licenses can be purchased online, but nonresidents must provide proof of hunter education or a previous hunting license and proof of identity. Junior firearms and bow hunting permits are also available for resident and nonresident youth. Hunters can report their harvests online or over the phone. The latest hunters log also indicates woodcock flush rates were highest in the Lakes Plain ecozone — something of a surprise, because in recent survey years this was a region with one of the lowest grouse flush rates.
Shutterstock image. According to the SGS this suggests grouse and woodcock may not always be found in the same areas largely due to the woodcock's migratory nature and ability to find small pockets of suitable early successional habitat such as young forests and shrub lands.
Hunters might want to keep this in mind this fall when scouting for potential hotspots. Hunters should also keep in mind that because woodcock are migratory, flush rates and success will depend on hunting during the peak migration, which can vary from year-to-year. During four of the past six years the peak migration occurred during the last week of October, all of which saw mild weather conditions in October and an overlap in resident and migratory birds that resulted in higher flush rates throughout the month and peaking late.
During and colder weather and snow conditions in many areas saw the peak migration arrive earlier during the week of October 18 and low flush rates late in the month. Something else to keep in mind this fall.
Productive grouse and woodcock ground will always include two key things: food and cover. But the areas that provide food and cover change depending upon the time of season.
Early in the gunning season wherever there is water, such as marsh edges, creek bottoms, the banks of brooks, spring seepages and damp alder thickets, air temperatures are coolest and grouse are drawn to these locations. These habitats typically also offer the dense cover and food such as wild grapes, raspberries and other bramble fruits grouse rely on to survive. Because the ground is still soft well into late October and worms are still available these same locations also attract woodcock.
Grouse will also be found in other locations during the first half of the season, but food and cover will remain key. In late September and through October when early morning and late afternoon temperatures are frosty or cooling, grouse will seek sunny openings in old apple orchards, areas that have been cut or logged, and edges along fields. And keep in mind grouse also require gravel to help digest their food. Great Grouse Hunting Dog Breeds.
The edges of tote roads, logging roads, snowmobile and ATV trails and the like are also likely spots to find birds. These locations are typically bordered by thick cover, offer food and gravel, and provide a place to warm in the sun at the beginning of the day or before birds hit their roosts for the night.
Late in the season, woodcock haunts are pretty much frozen and local and migrant birds have headed south. Grouse are still at hand, although the best grouse locations have changed with the season, especially once snow flies. The soft mast and fruits grouse depended on earlier in the season are gone and grouse will transition to feeding on poplar, willow, birch and other softwood buds.
They will also seek shelter from cold temperatures and winds. Areas where thick conifers and pines border these softwood stands offer sunny openings and both shelter and food. The edges of tote roads, logging roads, snowmobile and ATV trails and the like are also likely spots to find birds. These locations are typically bordered by thick cover, offer food and gravel, and provide a place to warm in the sun at the beginning of the day or before birds hit their roosts for the night.
Late in the season, woodcock haunts are pretty much frozen and local and migrant birds have headed south. Grouse are still at hand, although the best grouse locations have changed with the season, especially once snow flies. The soft mast and fruits grouse depended on earlier in the season are gone and grouse will transition to feeding on poplar, willow, birch and other softwood buds. They will also seek shelter from cold temperatures and winds.
Areas where thick conifers and pines border these softwood stands offer sunny openings and both shelter and food. Thus, they are prime locations for late-season gunning opportunities. To find these locations hunters have several options. One is to use bootleather and get out there and find them. Pick a likely location and spend a morning getting to know it. It is time-consuming and often a hit-or-miss proposition, but can be quite enjoyable. Another way is to join a local rod and gun club or chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society.
There are four local chapters here in New York located in different regions of the state. Not only are members avid hunters, but the chapters hold various hunting events and are involved in local habitat improvements, most often on public lands in conjunction with the DEC.
It is a good way to get involved, learn about local hotspots, and improve habitat. A third and sometimes time-saving way is to contact a regional DEC office or regional forestry office and talk to the wildlife and forestry staff personnel. These folks are in the field every day and are directly involved in habitat improvements on wildlife management areas and timber harvesting on state forests and other public lands.
They also know of private property open to public hunting and can provide information on the best areas to hunt. Grouse may be off limits on Long Island, but Nassau and Suffolk counties offer some pretty good gunning for woodcock.
The island has some resident birds but much of the action is provided by migrants that stop to rest and feed in the area's moist, rich soil for earthworms. The best action will come during the peak of the migration, which can vary year-to-year, but as it is elsewhere in the state any time during the two-week October season can offer some challenging opportunities for hunters willing to put in the time and effort.
Together the two properties offer about 11, acres of oak-pine forest, open fields, forest openings and pine barrens. The Sarnoff Cooperative Hunting Area is another potential good spot. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express permission of Northwoods Collective is strictly prohibited. Photo by A. Project Upland Project Upland is an editorial initiative to capture the cultures…. Governed by Federal migratory law. HIP Survey required.
Pheasant An Asian friend of upland hunting, pheasants are established throughout upstate and Long Island with small wild populations surviving in the Lake Plains region of Western New York. Project Upland Project Upland is an editorial initiative to capture the cultures and traditions of upland bird hunting. View Comments 2 Good article. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.
0コメント