anyone read?

[Big E]

The woodcock story in outdoor news? They talk about how the population has been declining for years but didn't give any reasons. We have a ton of them by us and I love hunting them. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight on why they keep declining in numbers? Is it not enough logging, burning or too many predators? From what the article said there's no way it's from hunting pressure.

[thunderpout]

Hey big E... I love chasing them timberdoodles around in the fall also... I definatly agree with that article.  The problem is surely the changes in forestry/logging practices.  Predators dont help, like opossums moving north and raptors coming south, but its really the change in forestry practices... clear cutting is frowned upon these days & isnt done as much as it used to... so we will have alot more old growth forests, and less and less new growth/young forests.  Its not just woodcock that will be affected either, deer, grouse and many non-game species like song birds and others are affected as well....

[thunderpout]

Big E... Check out Woodcockminnesota.org ...... I know a few of the guys that started that organization... some good info available through them....