What's going on at Three Rivers WMA?

[22Plinker]

Not sure how many people here visit Three Rivers WMA be it for hunting or other activities, but those that do may have noticed what appears to be a major clearing of trees throughout the 3,000+ acres.  I spoke with one of the conservation techs today and he gave me these maps and explained a little about what is going on.  They are clearing most of the thin narrow tree-line field dividers opening them up to make more attractive habitat for grassland birds such as woodcock and grouse.  At first I was concerned how this would affect deer hunting  considering they cut down a dozen apple trees and cleared out seven of my bushcraft blinds.  Map 0003-small has already been logged but not completed yet.  Map 0004-small is set to begin in the fall and winter of 2017 (yes during hunting season!).

As it was explained, any area where they are leaving shrubs they are going to make them thicker but keep them maintained free of wood growth.  There is a plan to mow certain fields from summer to fall, but those plans will not be finalized until early July.  I will update this when i get my hands on the mowing schedule.  Land management also completed herbicide spraying along the western edge of map "0004-small" and they are considering planting food plots in those areas during the spring of 2018 after the logging has been completed.

There is also an approved burn permit that will be put in place starting March of 2018 to more efficiently clear overgrown areas.

[Daveboone]

I used to hunt the area, a lot....living further away now, I havnet been there in years. the area is used heavily for dog trials, my guess is a lot of the brush work is geared for that.

[Otto]

I would go there often with my Brittany for "training".  Mostly just trying to keep him in range and under my command.  I liked the area off 60 Rd because it was all open and I could keep my eyes on him.  I had several run-ins with joggers, bikers, and even some horses, but overall had the place to myself most of the time.    I actually was "kicked out" when a dog trial was going on, saying the reserved it and I had to leave.  

I have never duck hunted the marshes, but I understand it is quite good.  

[22Plinker]

8 hours ago, Otto said:

I would go there often with my Brittany for "training".  Mostly just trying to keep him in range and under my command.  I liked the area off 60 Rd because it was all open and I could keep my eyes on him.  I had several run-ins with joggers, bikers, and even some horses, but overall had the place to myself most of the time.    I actually was "kicked out" when a dog trial was going on, saying the reserved it and I had to leave.  

I have never duck hunted the marshes, but I understand it is quite good.  

That was one of the other things we talked about. Over the years the dog clubs and the pheasant tournament folks have taken it upon themselves to THINK they run the place. The last 18 months have been an eye opener for both groups. The dog clubs now have limited access to the grounds and are going to have even more limited vehicle access starting this year. It has been an issue that is being resolved now. 

[Otto]

I did enter a dog trial there one time, I was on foot, all the other handlers were on horseback.  I don't mind the dog events and trials, I wish they would keep out the joggers and bicyclists.  I have not been there in a few years, but it's a great place to let the dog run.

I do want to scout it for duck hunting too.

[Fletch]

I live right near it and hunt it occasionally. It is tough deer hunting with a lot of pressure but there are some good deer, you just have to work around the humans lol. I have had some hairy situations in there with plain jackoff target shooters shooting in areas with no backstops, like right down trails!! And then leave there garbage all over the place.

They have really been cutting random for about 3 years now, glad to hear they actually have a plan but making a big stock and shoot for pheasants who don't have any holdover at all seems a bit strange. Especially since pheasant stocking is no guarantee.

There are a lot of yotes in there and small game is pretty scarce besides squirrels.

[dbHunterNY]

often with grasslands hedgerows develop and grow out of control.  tree lines breaking up much of the area aren't good for the grassland species as it promote the wrong birds of prey.  they also usually promote the spread of species invasive to grasslands like bush honeysuckle and buckthorn.  we just helped DEC this spring with a grassland area out this way.