Off We Go; New Adventures

As I write this I sit in the airport wait to board my flight to Tokyo. A new adventure for me, my wife and Ginger. While I'm away in Tokyo fishing and hiking my wife, Junko, is in charge of dog training here in the states. While she's done a fair share of the training it's never been for such a long period of time. It will be an adventure for her and Ginger. Fortunately she's taken it upon herself to teach Ginger Rock, Paper, Scissors. I don't know how this will translate to a hunting skill, but I'm sure they'll enjoy themselves while I'm away. As for how much mobile blogging I'll be able to do, that's any bodies guess. But you can still get an installment while I'm away. if you pick up a copy of the summer edition of RGS magazine, you can read my article on Gundogs. Hopefully in the future you'll see my name in RGS magazine at least somewhat frequently.

Action Alert!!

     Attention readers!!    If you're from Massachusetts please pay careful attention. There is a move under foot to prohibit clear cutting in state forests and parks. This is bad. There are numerous species that depend on second growth, successional forest, and clear cutting is the only way to see to it this habitat is sustained. Responsible management of our woodland habitat means responsible clear cutting. While a clear cut is initially unsightly, within one year it is again green, and filled with an abundance of wildlife. Areas where clear cutting has been done are about the only areas where song birds can be heard anymore. A law banning clear cutting would prevent our wildlife and forestry managers from properly managing for balanced, and sustainable forests, thus preventing the growth of specific habitat much of our wildlife, both game species, and non-game species alike, need.

Here is the bill:
http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/UserFiles/File/Bill%20H02006%20to%20ban%20clearcutting%20on%20all%20state%20lands.pdf

Here is the Ruffed Grouse Society's letter to the state:
http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/UserFiles/File/RGS%20comments%20on%20MA%20H2006%20Act%20to%20prohibit%20clear%20cutting%20on%20state%20lands.pdf

And here's what you can do. http://www.malegislature.gov/ Look up your legislator, and let him know you think a ban on clear cutting is unwise. Send him/her as much information as possible, and even offer to take them for a walk in a properly managed wood lot. If you need help, Massachusetts has two RGS chapters who'd be thrilled you're getting involved, and would be more than happy to provide you with information.

Things You Should Check Out; Habitit Edition, and How You Can Help

       Continuing the subject of habitat, I was forwarded a link to a website dedicated to Woodcock, their habitat, and their preservation. Whether you're a dedicated doodle chaser, or just a curious observer, the website is sure to have information you'll find interesting. How can you Help? Well, unfortunately the decline of Woodcock is very much thought to be caused by the decline of Woodcock habitat. That means land owners need to create more habitat, and that is done by cutting trees. You can help by giving woodlot owners the link to the website, and helping them get educated, so they can make sound management decisions that will not only benefit the Woodcock, but just about every species of animal living on their woodlot. Get involved with the Ruffed grouse Society, get your hands on info you can pass out to land owners, and educate whomever will listen to you.

Check it out:http://www.timberdoodle.org/

**Once again, I'd like to thank Andy Weik, RGS biologist, for forwarding this info to me.

Habitat On My Mind

I recently attended a Ruffed Grouse Society habitat presentation. Having acquired an eye for grouse cover, the presentation explained a bit of why the grouse prefer the cover they do, and hopefully will allow me to find more, and better cover in the future. Forestry management, and timber cutting were among the subjects discussed, as well as the decline of several species as a result of poor management, and restrictions on cutting. Here are a few interesting facts from the presentation;

* In New England there are 338 vertebrate species. Of those, 257 have a primary or secondary dependence on woodland vegetation. Of those, 233 have a primary or secondary dependence on second growth woodlands.

* Grouse prefer woodlands between 10 and 25 years old.

* Grouse prefer forest patches of mixed hardwoods and evergreens, greater than 20 acres, near young saplings, and within 300 feet of open land.

* Aspen in the most important tree species to the Ruffed Grouse. Aspen is a short lived tree which readily takes advantage of clear cuts, and sunlight. Aspen is one of just a few species of tree, which when cut, sprouts multiple new trees from it's root system.

* Clear cutting will benefit wildlife, but each species has it's own requirements. While Cottontail Rabbits will benefit from cuts about 12 acres in size, the Olivesided Flycatcher requires cuts greater than 35 acres. When cutting any lot, cut from south to north to maximize sunlight.

* Since 1970, in Massachusetts there has been a 43% decline in woodcock. The eastern region of the woodcock's range has seen a decline of about 32% during that time period.

* A woodcock hen will lay 4 eggs. Should her clutch be lost a second clutch will be laid, but it will only contain 3 eggs.

***Special thanks to Andy Weik, RGS N.E., NY, and Eastern Canada, biologist for catching a couple inaccuracies in my note taking, and e-mailing me so I could make appropriate edits.

***Andy and his hunting cohorts have an entertaining blog, Grousers, which I've linked. Take a look, if you haven't already.