Grouse hunting in New York's Adirondack Mountains used to be good, back in the '70s and '80s. There was a lot of area available to hunt with relatively little hunting pressure. Through the '90s until now grouse have been scarce. It's hard to tell why since I've hunted private land that is forested regularly. Lots of what looks like prime cover, but few birds. It's been puzzling. I will still hunt for them and have been expanding my hunting areas to see if the situation is the same all over.
Woodcock seem to be in the same situation, but at least you can usually find a flight or two if you can be at the right place at the right time.
We used to be able to find wild pheasants and the state continues to stock them, but the numbers they put out have been drastically reduced. I enjoy a hunt or two on private reserves over released birds.
If I had to choose, I would select more birds over another gun, but I don't feel pressed to choose so I still am looking for the next good cover and the next good gun.
|