Scouting for covers

[Kevin McCormack]

Never underestimate the productivity of public hunting areas and in particular the attraction of the locals to specific game there. In 46 years of hunting grouse on public lands in the same state park area, we never saw another grouse hunter nor signs indicating anyone remotely interested in hunting them (e.g., no dog crates in parked trucks on the logging roads, no sounds of beeper collars or other dog-related commotion in the woods). We frequently saw deer and turkey hunters but no other bird hunters. (There were few if any woodcock on these particular lands). Locals quizzed about it said they considered deer and turkeys "real trophies", and "didn't have time" to fool with grouse.