is considering reclassifying ruffed grouse as “threatened”
and northern bobwhite quail as “endangered.” A quail habitat
recovery plan is being implemented on Mid-Atlantic Coastal
Plain public lands. Participants are needed to supply blood and
feather samples for a study of the impact of West Nile virus on
ruffed grouse. To volunteer, contact Andrew Burnett, Principal
Biologist, Nacote Creek Research Station, P.O. Box 418, Port
Republic, NJ 08241-0418; [email protected].
New Hampshire – Karen A. Bordeau, wildlife biologist
with the NH Fish and Game Department says, “The weather this
spring is shaping up to be very similar to last year for breeding
ruffed grouse and woodcock. The ruffed grouse wing and tail
survey results showed an increase in the juvenile/adult female
ratio, and the long-term trend is stable.” One lodge and two
guides report that for some time they have been fully booked for
the upcoming grouse season. Expect good upland action in the
northern forests.
New York – Grouse flush rates are best in the northern
Adirondacks, northern Catskills and the East Appalachian
Plateau. Woodcock provide excellent hunting in good cover.
Hunters are urged to participate in the Grouse and Woodcock
Hunting Log. Feathers and blood samples are needed for West
Nile virus monitoring. Volunteer by emailing wildlife@dec.
ny.gov (subject “Grouse Log”). Thirty thousand pheasants will
be released on public lands and accessible private lands.
Ohio – Grouse persist at historic lows within tracts of
young forest, but woodcock opportunities
remain good throughout the state. The
pheasant outlook includes a planned
release of 15,000-18,000 roosters on
public lands lacking pheasants and a
projected 20,000-30,000 wild pheasants
existing in central and northwestern Ohio.
Surveys indicate that 10,000-15,000 quail
remain in south central and southwest
Ohio. Mourning dove populations are
robust throughout.
Pennsylvania – Optimism exists for
good woodcock hunting throughout the
state. Grouse forecasts remain guarded.
Record-high West Nile virus prevalence
in 2018 may have further reduced
populations due to the loss of adult
breeding birds. Pheasant production has
increased, and a youth pheasant hunt is
offered in the Central Susquehanna Wild
Pheasant Recovery Area this year.
Rhode Island – Woodcock responded
well to habitat enhancements in the Great
Swamp, Arcadia and Carolina WMAs.
Habitat enhancement and plantings of
sunflower and buckwheat at the South
Shore, Carolina, Great Swamp, Eight Rod
Farm and Sapowet WMAs will benefit
quail and pheasants.
Vermont – The central and northern
regions offer the best grouse hunting, and
woodcock numbers remain stable. Both
species responded well to early successional forest management
on state lands and to three projects in the Green Mountain
National Forest. Wildlife managers are promoting beneficial
wildlife management to private landowners seeking to create
early-successional habitat.
Virginia – The 2018 grouse flush rate was the second
lowest recorded; the birds are benefiting from targeted cutting
and burning intended to improve habitat for them and woodcock
in the Clinch Ranger District’s Turkey Cove Grouse Area.
Woodcock gunning is mainly on flight birds with ample flights
in the Tidewater region
West Virginia – Ruffed grouse hunting is poor, but fair
numbers exist on private timberlands, in the east central spine
of the state. Woodcock remain a mainstay for seasonal upland
action, and Sunday hunting is permitted. Wild pheasants offer
action in the Hillcrest WMA that is managed for farm game
including doves. Grouse survey volunteer cooperators are
needed. Contact the Elkins Operation Center, 738 Ward Rd.,
Elkins, WV 26241; 304-637-0245.Southeast
and Lower Plains
Sandhills Now Legal in Alabama, Storms Bother
Birds in Other States
John N. FelsherAlabama – Northern Alabama hunters will be able to
pursue sandhill cranes for the first time
this year.
“Sandhill crane numbers have been
increasing in Alabama for the past 10
years,” explained Seth Maddox, a state
biologist. “This will be a limited quota
draw hunt.” The forecast also looks
good for other species. Abundant rainfall
encouraged good cover and quail foods to
grow, although bobwhite numbers remain
low.
Arkansas – Spring call counts
indicated a decrease in the bobwhite
population.
“Our spring call count data and brood
surveys showed the quail population to be
down, but last season was decent to good,
especially in the Arkansas River Valley,”
recalled Marcus Asher, an Arkansas
biologist. “Dove and woodcock hunting
have been fair.” Habitat projects on public
and private lands should help boost quail
populations in coming years.
Florida – Several storms hit Florida
in 2018, hurting hunting success.
“North Florida had standing water
most of the season,” said Andrew
Fanning, a Florida biologist. “South
Florida saw the opposite with drought-
like conditions stressing dove fields.
Local dove numbers remain stable, but
fewer migrant birds came down last
winter. Bobwhite numbers are stable to increasing in areas
implementing favorable habitat management practices.”Throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic
regions, wildlife management agencies are
releasing more ring-necked pheasants,
managing selected game farm habitats and
scheduling more youth pheasant hunts than
ever before. The result is expanded hunting
opportunities in Connecticut, Delaware,
Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and
West Virginia. (Photo/Tim Flanigan)