I
t’s time for our annual preseason look at habitat
conditions, weather phenomena and bird populations
across the lower 48 states that will probably play a
major role in the situations you face when you step into
your favorite upland bird-hunting spot this autumn. And
please remember: Instead of only asking state-level game
bird biologists to gaze into crystal balls during early spring
and make astounding predictions for autumn, our crack
team of reporters set out to scout the situations one can
expect to encounter in each state. So here, over the next few
pages, you’ll see their “scout,” their reports on what they’ve
learned about bird hunting possibilities as we approach our
favorite opening days.
As always, please remember that our deadline forces us
to gather this info a few months in advance of publication.
For current information about the states you are interested
in, please check out the link to “State Hunting Laws” on the
“Resources for Bird Hunters” page on our website, http://www.
uplandalmanac.com.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Grouse Spotty, Woodcock and Released
Pheasant Hunts Promising
Tim Flanigan
Connecticut – Woodcock numbers remain stable,
providing good hunting in young forest habitats. A few ruffed
grouse survive in the northern portion of the state. On selected
Saturdays, the state will release pheasants on several sites and
host hunters on a first come, first served basis for two daily
hunts: 8-11 a.m. and 12-3 p.m. Up to 20,000 birds are expected
to be released.
Delaware – Woodcock, doves and wild turkeys are
benefiting from habitat enhancement work on several Wildlife
Management Areas (WMAs). Covey counts indicate a viable
quail population. Select WMAs offer opening weekend
action on stocked pheasants for youth hunters, ages 12 to 15.
Afterward, those birds are available to all hunters.
Maine – Upland bird hunting opportunities in Maine
remain very good. Grouse populations in northern Maine are
good, and access is not an issue. Spring nesting conditions
favored ground nesting game birds, and woodcock numbers
should benefit. The grouse seasons now open on the last
Saturday in September.
Maryland – A few ruffed grouse still exist in the three
western counties. Woodcock hunting remains good throughout.
A junior and apprentice license holder pheasant hunting
program has been expanded. Increased habitat management
on eastern region WMAs and private lands aims to reverse the
decline of bobwhite quail.
Massachusetts – The central and western districts offer fair
to good grouse hunting, and habitat enhancement is benefiting
grouse and woodcock. Expect good gunning for both in
southeastern state forests’ pitch pine/scrub oak ecosystems. A
release of 40, 000 pheasants will take place on 41 WMAs.
New Jersey – A few grouse survive in the northern forests,
but woodcock gunning is good in coastal habitats. The stateThe
Scout:
2019