Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Carter
I do not write this as a criticism of any one person. A 160 day season seems excessive. Yes many hunters only hunt the milder fall months and snow depths in a normal winter will put a stop to most hunters. Winters are not normal now.
The few that hunt the Jan and Feb. part of the season are the most dedicated and experienced therefore the deadliest.
The bioligists tell us that it makes no difference but a bird who survives 90 days of the season along with natural predation is a likely breeder. Now it must get through another 60 days
My state, Mass. had the same season as N.Y. for many years and now have brought it back to about 40 days but we have no grouse now so it makes no difference.
Again i mean nothing negative to any one hunter
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Daniel,
No offense taken here, and I know that the biologists are, and have been, deliberating over whether the later seasons are impacting populations. There are certainly so many variables. When I hunted in February in Ohio and Kentucky over many years, only once did I meet another grouse hunter on public land. I know they were there, but widely dispersed. I also hunted Tennessee's second woodcock season years ago that was timed to catch birds flying North in late February. I miss those days, but frankly, I would not hunt those times with today's numbers, decreasing habitat and habitat degradation. I recall reading George Bird Evans' admonitions about late seasons for grouse in his West Virginia. It was ironic that he continued to hunt in February. We all like to think that the bird we take is not contirubing to the declining numbers of the birds we love. We each have to decide for ourselves in the end, and thankfully we generally have the freedom to do so.
I know I have imposed limits on my take. I have not taken a bag limit of wild birds in many years. I've killed enough birds in my life time, but have not hunted enough days, or watched my dogs quest for birds enough, or used my cherished shotguns in covers both new and familiar as much as I hope to.
I just want the best for our birds. I can't change being a hunter, but I can be as judicious and knowledgable about what my part in nature is now, and for the future.
I appreciated your comments.
Garry