Woodcock

Here's a photo....... Reading about them had me more confused about identifying them and if they can be consumed. I'd appreciate any help and hints about harvesting them. The landowner told me I'm free to take whatever I want. So far I really only collect Shagbark Hickory nuts and Black Walnuts.

This past fall, I came across a property with three American Chestnut (or hybrid) trees. Most of the nuts had fallen and based on the squirrel activity, deer and bear droppings I could see why there was nothing but empty husks left on the ground. I'm curious how to know for certain if these are edible even if they are hybrids. Not being very familiar with them, I had to be careful handling them.... not an easy task.

Stop by the local FD and ask around..... they're usually helpful..... Look for plows at gas stations, the local diner......have cash on hand.....

I'd go to the neighbor and ask him firmly but politely if he left the note on your car. Don't even mention the mud, just confirm the facts. If he is open to a conversation (you'll know immediately) explain that you're the new owner and state that you will be posting it. You really need to determine more facts.....perhaps the current owner can tell you more. Do not ask anyone else in the area about him......for obvious reasons. If you sense that he is crazy then you may want to reconsider the purchase. I've dealt with something similar in the past in helping a new landowner. Signs, fencing, gate and make your presence obvious. Make peace if you can and eventually with the neighbors if/when you can trust them. It's like fighting an insurgency......you can't allow yourself to be intimidated and you must have a continuous presence. Just try talking to him first....... and under no circumstance become angry, aggressive or threatening. You might only get one chance to work this out the easy way.

Lots of places were good, or at least huntable for grouse before 2000. The 80's and 90's were quite good in Putnam. Woodcock hunting is still very good and I see them the entire hunting season. The better habitat areas and migration periods are the most productive but there are pockets all over. When I had my dogs, I was never disappointed woodcock hunting in Putnam. Grouse are still present in pockets but I don't know if they could even be considered huntable populations. If I wanted to give it a try, I'd go to some of the more recently acquired land near Cranberry Mountain or the more "remote" DEP lands. I'd be very curious how you make out. I don't have a bird dog any more, but if I did I would try those places. As I posted recently, I actually feel habitat has improved in the past few years with the ice storms, snowstorms, tornadoes and wind storms. DEC and DEP land management has seen some changes also. DEC does confirm some grouse exist in Putnam still. I do ask landowners and I've had some leads but I'm not always sure they know what grouse are. I've bumped in pheasant in very odd places while exploring. They seem sure but I'm skeptical to a degree. I'd really explore these areas in the late winter where you can see the remaining habitat. One property in Dover Plains that I had sole access to for nearly 40 years had grouse until fairly recently. The grouse population then seemed to become confined to the higher areas, rhododendron thickets that were very difficult to access and hunt. I suspect this would be true in Putnam also.... Fahnstock and Hudson Highlands as examples. I used to hunt around Selkirk on unposted land.....it's not a terrible drive. Perhaps it's still productive.

I never had a problem finding them......all season long in good habitat. Even in marginal cover, though especially during their migration hunting can be good. There is so much land in Putnam where you can find woodcock and absolutely no other hunters. For me anyway, an hour or two in "marginal" habitat with three or four woodcock points/flushes was a great time. It's amazing how you'll even find a pheasant ever so often.......far from release sites. How I miss having my Brittanies.......

There's been lots of storm damage this past winter and spring.....plus other damage over the past few years. I've seen more trees down, openings/sunlight in places I haven't seen it in a decade. These disturbed areas should benefit wildlife.....perhaps we might even some grouse expansion from the few remaining coverts in Putnam and Dutchess Counties. The expanded DEC and DEP lands, Young Forest Initiative program, etc. might make a modest change to our habitat.

I have squirrels on my property dropping acorns the last few days. Normally they're dropping hickory nuts (not Shagbark) by mid-August. I've seen apples dropping also in a couple of places. By August 15, there's the start of a very noticeable change in the outdoors......most of you will know what I mean.

If the opportunities on this property are unique and you really want to hunt there.....I'd pursue it and not be intimidated by the caretaker. New property owners will be less likely to offer permission down the road once they become more established. Your early contact probably helped gain permission. I agree that it might be worth contacting the caretaker again and/or obtaining written permission from the landowner. This doesn't need to be complicated. If you have other places to hunt and would likely not use this property, then I would leave it alone. You want to remain polite and familiar to the landowner yet not overbearing. If the caretaker has more say, then they'll likely tell you that circumstances have changed and they will politely revoke permission.

The dog walkers and mountain bikers will more or less stay away during the hunting season. Regarding Nimham in particular, the property really needs some work. There was a Model Forest project proposed for there 12 or so years ago which a small number of local residents successfully stopped. It would have benefitted the forest. DEC also hasn't mowed some of the fields for years. This particular MUA once had great habitat for grouse, woodcock and rabbits. It's unfortunate that the management has been changed. The dog walkers should be held to the same restrictions as hunting dog training. No dogs off leash during the bird breeding season (April 15 to August 15)....... pets will find bird nests also but this would be unenforceable. Putnam Park Lands are not open to hunting but Conservation Lands are but to Putnam residents only. Do check current rules though as this was my last recollection. I find it odd that some DEC pamphlets leave out hunting as one of the activities that are allowed. This just leads to an excuse for others to question hunters. I used to always inform people who questioned me that these lands were purchased in large part for hunting. Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

Sometimes it's better to keep things vague....... I've seen signs on state land stating "No Target Shooting" and others that state "No Promiscuous Shooting"......... The former seems to imply no shooting, while the later that there should be no casual or on the move shooting. Personally speaking, I wouldn't do either on properties that aren't pretty well isolated. A bit of discretion and common sense goes a long way. In some areas, we are just an accident away from no discharge laws........ we must be mindful.

I feel bad that I was a little too sharp with you...... but my point was/is that you can research many places and learn a lot by doing some scouting........ too many people with good intentions on the Internet have ruined places. Quite honestly, people here have mentioned locations before that just can't sustain too much pressure. Many of these places are small in size and access is from limited access points. It's something to think about...... You just can't expect any discussion about a specific spot that is viewed by hundreds to not be impacted..... I hope this makes some sense......

No.... not at all but it needs to be said......

Ask the several hundred other hunters who viewed your post...... perhaps you'll have company when you go out. Honestly, I don't understand questions like this on a public message board. Even a few additional hunters on any of these properties makes YOUR hunt more difficult. Do your own homework and scouting.........