Alders

      Any serious New England upland hunter recognizes alders from a long ways off. An alder patch with weeds and ferns between the stems is very likely to hold woodcock and grouse are often found nearby. If the ground is choked with grasses the likelihood of woodcock is low.

      Alders like wet country, but can grow almost anywhere. Around recently used logging yards you’ll often find them crowded against the woods or the new cutting. Grouse are often nearby.

      The Ruffed Grouse Society recently published an excellent article on the importance of alders. Below is a link to it. If you are not a member of the  Ruffed Grouse Society please consider joining.

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/the-importance-of-alders-for-grouse-and-woodcock/ 

Alder catkins.

An ancient apple tree crowed by alders, it doesn't
get much better than this.

What’s For Dinner?

Our wild apple tree is loaded.

     Imagine a different restaurant every hundred feet down the road. One is serving Mexican, the next typical American fare, the next Italian food. Every stop has something different and all the food is good.

     That is what is happening out in the woods this year. It seems every type of plant that produces fruit is having a bumper year. Wild apples are already piling up on the ground. Blueberries linger on the bushes. Mountain ash are turning bright reds. Bright red choke cherries are already attracting the bears.

Wild hawthorn

     And if the fruits don’t create enough choices, some of the birches are loaded with catkins and the mountain maples are draped with strings of seeds.

     If there were an overabundance of restaurants the clientele would be scattered. This fall the game birds and animals will be the same. Hunters baiting bear are going to have a hard time getting the bruin's attention.

     The good news is the wildlife will go into winter well fed and healthy.

Blackberries

Catkins on a birch tree.

Mountain ash berries not quite red yet.

Mountain maple seeds