Hunting Seasons

The length of ruffed grouse hunting seasons vary from state to state. Some bird hunting seasons run well into the winter, while other states stop much sooner, some even in the fall. A good way to get an argument started in grouse camp is to ask whether late season grouse hunting affects the bird’s population.

Samantha Davis, a University of Maine graduate student, did research with the MDIFW to see how the state’s management of ruffed grouse impacted the population. The results can be seen at the link below. The news is encouraging.

 https://phys.org/news/2018-07-maine-current-ruffed-grouse.html

Do you see him in there?

Grouse Numbers

The number of ruffed grouse in any area has always fluctuated. Many places there seems to be a definite ten year cycle, with numbers gradually building before dropping off again. This seems most pronounced in the Lake States area. In the northeast the cycle seems less noticeable. Weather, abundance or lack of food sources, and number of predators all play a part. Now West Nile virus is also a concern.

For the first time ever the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has proposed shortening the grouse season because of unusually low bird numbers. The details are in this link http://pointingdogjournal.com/proposed-shortening-wisconsin-ruffed-grouse-season/

The proposal will certainly stir a lot of public comment. Wisconsin has always been a leader in ruffed grouse hunting.

Mama Grouse

It is July 10 and the weather is perfect, lots of sunshine with dry air. Last week it felt like the tropics around here, with high temperatures and high humidity. This week feels like heaven.

After dinner, we decided to take the dogs for a walk up in some high country, where a breeze might blow the mosquitos away. The old road in to where we planned to hike is rougher than a toad’s back, so we had to inch our way along.

In a stretch where the foliage on either side of the road was as thick as a wirehair’s coat, a grouse stood in the road. We stopped. Then there were three more, then two, then some disappeared and then three ran across while a straggler flew back behind us, then another dashed to the left and another one flew into a fir tree.

One was definitely larger, probably the mom, and there were probably six young ones half-again larger than a quail. Hopefully she was teaching them roads are a dangerous place.
It sure was fun to see.

Spaying?

More Negatives…

Here’s more information on health issues brought on by spaying.

https://petparentsbrand.com/blogs/general/spay-incontinence-in-female-dogs-what-it-is-what-you-can-do

A smile between the feathers.