Woodcock season in michigan

Numbers in michigan and other midwestern states increased dramatically after many old growth forests were cut during the 100year period from about 1830 to 1930. Numbers in michigan and other midwestern states increased dramatically after many old growth forests were cut during. Nov 12, 2016 outstanding woodcockhunting in southern part of state robert gwizdz, for the lansing state journal published 3. Only nontoxic shot may be used for hunting ruffed grouse, american woodcock, wilsons snipe, and snowshoe hare. Smallgame hunting opportunities are abundant in michigan. The ruffed grouse society and american woodcock society are not liable for any reliance upon the information provided here and strongly encourage. Unlike its coastal relatives, this plump little shorebird lives in young forests and shrubby old fields across eastern north america. But for many michigan residents and visitors, the primary draw come fall is the flush as michigan offers some of the finest grouse and woodcock hunting in the midwest.

All woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp in addition to a valid base. Why michigan is the numberone state for woodcock hunting. Almost as good as freshcaught, panfried whole brook trout with a side of morels and wild asparagus. Michigan testing ruffed grouse to gauge west nile exposure. Mar 31, 2020 well, sadly tonight was the last day for this springs woodcock finding season we found a momma sitting on a nest of eggs. Opportunities for small game hunting abundant in michigan.

The daily bag limit is three with a possession limit of six. Michigans gems, grouse enhanced management sites, a littleknown dnr program that offers 500to12,000acre parcels for grouse and woodcock habitat. Sep 19, 2017 woodcock are a migratory bird and have an abbreviated season, sept. Oct 01, 2015 i grew up in michigan, with dad bringing home woodcock every season. Wild flushing birds and haunting lights steal this show.

Aug 10, 2018 you dont have to be on the peninsula itself to find great forests for hunting. The season is september 22 november 5 and they are a migratory bird, so you must get a free woodcock stamp. Woodcock season varies from year to year, due to the woodcocks federal migratory bird status, and. Michigan woodcock season opens strong and promising. If the dnr had continued to open the woodcock season on the 15th of september, we would have to close the season before the majority of birds had migrated through the statein early november, most are gone from the up and northern lp, but theres occasionally, like the last few years, still quite a few birds in southern michigan. Woodcock hunters must wear exposed at all times as an outer garment one or more of the following articles that is solid hunter orange in color. Michigan bird hunting, woodcock and grouse hunting ultimate. The 2020 ruffed grouse season in zone a is september 12, 2020 january 3, 2021. Usually, woodcock numbers in southern michigan seem to only increase as the season stretches into mid to late octoberearly november. Get started or try somewhere new michigan gems gems map on a trail photo courtesy of dnr. Michigans september hunting opportunities wlns 6 news. The bobwhite quail is the only threatened species that is still available for bird hunting in michigan. All woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp which includes registration with the federal migratory bird harvest information program hip.

This year 3 three of us and 6 dogs missed the best of the flight in our area, and by the last two days the woodcock were moving south. Under the current federal framework, woodcock season can open the saturday closest to sept. It was the opening day of woodcock season and we were in an area of central michigan where al and i have been opening woodcock season for about a. They are probably best known for their aerial courtship display, which begins as early as late february. Outdoors ohio hunters not wild about woodcock as birds. The base license allows hunting of rabbit, hare, squirrel, pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharptailed grouse, woodchuck, woodcock, quail, crow and. All woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp in addition to a valid base license. Migration seems to be primarily occurring in canada, however some shorter distance movements have been observed in both new york and pennsylvania. Make plans now for michigan grouse hunting news, sports. Hunting is permitted with a valid michigan hunting license. See each of the species below for season information and bag limits. Grouse were spotty and we ended up with flushes in the low 20s for 5 days.

We preferred a light dredgeandsaute in butter, of course, with homegrown beets and brussels sprouts on the side. Dove hunting hours are onehalf hour before sunrise to sunset. Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse and other animals will be in hunters sights as michigans small game season gets underway sunday. Oct 27, 2015 michigans small game hunting season, which includes grouse season, opens annually sept. Survey dates vary based on latitude and, in michigan, run april 20 to may 20. In 20, an estimated 30,000 hunters harvested 79,300 woodcock. Of interest and excitement to us, a number of our woodcock marked in the southeast and midatlantic last winter used westerly migration. Cadillac michigan ruffed grouse and woodcock hunters are reporting generally favorable results this season despite warm, dry weather that has. More woodcock nest and hatch in michigan than anywhere else in the united states and when it comes to the hunting harvest, no other state comes near. Still, it is not unusual to find woodcock presumably migrants along the woody edges of pheasant hunting fields right up until the opening of rifle season. In 2016, there were a total of 820 woodcock survey routes run in north america. Its cryptic plumage and lowprofile behavior make it hard to find except in the. Rgs started providing realtime tracking of the annual fall and spring american woodcock migrations in 2006 for the first time in history.

Michigans small game hunting season, which includes grouse season, opens annually sept. That said, there is some great upland hunting to be had in the southern portion of the lower peninsula as well a and it can be surprisingly good. Superbly camouflaged against the leaf litter, the brownmottled american woodcock walks slowly along the forest floor, probing the soil with its long bill in search of earthworms. The woodcock is one of our earliest returning spring migrants in ohio. If youre looking for barrelsmoking action amidst some of americas most beautiful fall scenery, heres where to go. The banders, who take great pains to avoid harming birds while searching for chicks, see no contradictionthey love and respect the species and are devoted to maintaining. Michigan grouse and woodcock season off to a great start. Dogs may be used to hunt wilsons snipe, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, and american woodcock. Ap cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse and other animals will be in hunters sights as michigans small game season gets underway sunday.

The change does not impact season dates for zone b, which is october 17, 2020 december 8, 2020. The season lasted 26 days this year first find, march 5th, till first eggs in nest find, march 31st. The calendar tells us when hunting in michigan begins, but our instincts already know. Woodcock season spans from september 21st to november 4th. American woodcock sightings and soundings a rite of. American woodcock identification, all about birds, cornell. In michigan, woodcock season runs from late september to early november. Welcome to the ruffed grouse societys national american woodcock migration report mapping system. Outstanding woodcockhunting in southern part of state robert gwizdz, for the lansing state journal published 3.

With millions of acres of land open to the public for hunting, the opportunity to hunt and. Michigan bird hunting, woodcock and grouse hunting. Written many years ago by the person that basically developed the method for using pointing dogs on spring birds, andy amann, a biologist at the michigan dnr. It is called a guide to capturing and banding american woodcock using pointing dogs. For michigan residents, it also covers coyote hunting. The annual michigan woodcockgrouse dog tuneup is over.

Bag limits remain 5 birds in zone a and 3 birds in zone b. Hunters around michigan are getting ready to get outdoors. Woodcock are a migratory bird and have an abbreviated season, sept. Dr amann was somewhat famous in the world of woodcock biology. Jun 27, 2019 in michigan, woodcock season runs from late september to early november. Michigan season for hunting small game species opens sunday. Michigan season for hunting small game species now open.

Sep 20, 2005 if the dnr had continued to open the woodcock season on the 15th of september, we would have to close the season before the majority of birds had migrated through the state in early november, most are gone from the up and northern lp, but theres occasionally, like the last few years, still quite a few birds in southern michigan. Michigan woodcock season opens strong and promising outdoorhub. It was the opening day of woodcock season and we were in an area of central michigan where al and i have been opening woodcock season for about a decade now, a place with lots of aspen on the. Michigan is the numberone woodcock harvest state in the nation. Michigan serves as an important breeding ground for woodcock, along with minnesota, wisconsin, southern ontario and quebec, the maritime provinces, and some new england states. Hunting is limited to 27 counties and much of their habitat within these counties is privately owned. Oct 06, 2017 usually, woodcock numbers in southern michigan seem to only increase as the season stretches into mid to late octoberearly november. Free standing ground blinds built of manufactured materials must be. Well, sadly tonight was the last day for this springs woodcock finding season we found a momma sitting on a nest of eggs. Shotguns must be plugged so they are capable of holding no more than three shells. One woodcock in central pennsylvania has moved into southern quebec, but that is really the only migratory movement of note. The 20202021 ruffed grouse season dates have changed for zone a. Sep 15, 2019 woodcock season, also statewide, follows less than a week later on sept. Millions of acres are open to public hunting in michigan and there are many more locations to hunt beyond gems.

Schultz is one of about 100 michigan bird hunters who enjoy pursuing woodcock two seasons of the yearthe 45 days in the autumn when they take to the early successional forests with their shotguns and pointing dogs and the slightly more than monthlong season in the spring when they leave the scatterguns at home and go out with landing nets and pliers. Crow has been available since august 1st to the end of the month with a second season from february 1st to march 31st. Those hunters need a free woodcock stamp, while a free endorsement is required for pheasant and. Sep 23, 2010 schultz is one of about 100 michigan bird hunters who enjoy pursuing woodcock two seasons of the yearthe 45 days in the autumn when they take to the early successional forests with their shotguns and pointing dogs and the slightly more than monthlong season in the spring when they leave the scatterguns at home and go out with landing nets and pliers. This fall, hunters can expect about the same results they had last year. Before hitting the forests and fields, every small game hunter needs to have a michigan base license. Sep 14, 2019 for michigan residents, it also covers coyote hunting. Outstanding woodcockhunting in southern part of state. Meet the huntersand their dogswho spend spring tracking. Spring migration during 2019 was fascinating to watch. The ruffed grouse society and american woodcock society are not liable for any reliance upon the information provided here and strongly encourage adhering to.

Michigan ruffed grouse season september 15 november 14, 2019 and december 1 january 1, 2020 zone 1, 2 limits. Bird hunting in michigan a project upland resource. A statebystate guide to grouse and woodcock hunting for the 2018 2019 season. Sep 17, 2017 michigan s gems, grouse enhanced management sites, a littleknown dnr program that offers 500to12,000acre parcels for grouse and woodcock habitat. Woodcocks are native ohio shorebirds that prefer a combination of wet, early successional under story and drier uplands. Michigan upland bird hunting information, season limits, bag limits, species overviews and quick links to michigan dnr and hunting licenses. The last woodcock population peak occurred in the 1950s. Oct, 2019 midnight kennel guiding john green from pennsylvania on a hunt in michigan for grouse and woodcock the dog doing the work is sterlingworth jack owned by jim and dr. Woodcock are continuing to move locally with very little migration activity.

A guide to grouse and woodcock hunting in michigan michigan. I grew up in michigan, with dad bringing home woodcock every season. Millions of acres are open to public hunting in michigan and there are many more locations to. Drummond island, accessible by ferry, makes for a distinctive location for bird hunting in michigan. Midnight kennel guiding john green from pennsylvania on a hunt in michigan for grouse and woodcock the dog doing the work is sterlingworth jack owned by jim and dr. Stewart attributes the reduction in woodcock surveyed this year with deep snow and a late spring, noting that abundance of woodcock in fall will be determined by reproductive success. The annual michigan woodcock grouse dog tuneup is over.

Firearm season for whitetail deer is the season hunters across the state look forward, however michigan is among the leading states in the nation for upland bird hunting, particularly ruffed grouse and woodcock. The mapping system relies on daily migration data provided by our. Sep 15, 2016 most of michigans prime grouse and woodcock haunts are located in the northern reaches of the state. Michigans hidden gems great for grouse hunters, nature. Many of the females marked last winter appear to be on nests, as locations are clustered in 1020 meter areas for between 24 weeks. Woodcock are migratory birds, breeding mostly in the northern two tiers of states and southern canada and wintering in the south. Hunters report good start to grouse, woodcock seasons. The ruffed grouse season runs from september 15 to november 14 and december 1 to january 1.