For better or worse, this is written from a setter enthusiast’s perspective but still is just as applicable to any pointing dog breed that can compete in cover dog trials (AKC or American Field sanctioned). Many have heard about field trials but far less understand how they work, in their basic form they’re setup like two hunters, with two dogs going for a walk in the bird woods, here’s an attempt to explain how they differ in the particulars…
Earlier this month, I entered one of my setters in a field trial which had the luxury of being close to home. All stakes were “open” meaning both professional handlers (and trainers) as well as amateurs were able to enter as handlers. This particular trial is commonly referred to as a cover dog trial meaning wild birds in grouse and woodcock cover.
Former RGS/AWS Regional Biologist Gary Zimmer has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Donald H. Rusch Memorial Award, in recognition of his strong advocacy and tireless efforts on behalf of wildlife in the state of Wisconsin. The award was presented to Gary at the Wisconsin Chapter of the Wildlife Society annual meeting in Rothschild, WI on March 2nd. Nominees are judged based on the significance of their contribution to wildlife conservation in Wisconsin, and must be strong supporter of the role of hunting in wildlife conservation. The award is named after the late Don Rusch, former UW-Madison faculty member who conducted some of the pioneering work on ruffed grouse in the upper Midwest. Congratulations, Gary!
Coraopolis PA – On Saturday March 5, 2016, the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) and American Woodcock Society (AWS) hosted the 2016 Minnesota State Workshop in Duluth, Minnesota. The event was attended by over 40 passionate grouse and woodcock hunters, conservationists and general supporters of the RGS and AWS mission. The agenda was action packed throughout the full day seminar and covered a broad range of topics from conservation policy and wildlife biology to grouse dogs and modern scouting techniques. Each individual presentation morphed into an open discussion with significant interaction between presenters and attendees.
Coraopolis, PA – As a result of successful early successional habitat (ESH) enhancement performed through a collaborative partnership between the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR), West Virginia Division of Forestry (WVDOF) and the Monongahela National Forest (MNF), the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has most graciously provided a forestry mulching machine to assist in this ongoing work. A variety of wildlife species require ESH during all or part of their lifecycle, most notably ruffed grouse, American woodcock and a whole suite of songbirds.
On Saturday March 5th, the Ruffed Grouse Society hosted the 2016 Minnesota State Workshop in Duluth, Minnesota. The event was attended by over 40 passionate grouse and woodcock hunters, conservationists and general supporters of the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Societies. (Pictured: RGS MN Regional Director Nick Larson)
We’ve had more February reports to the system than any other recent February. A review of the comments provided with the reports for “firsts” or other interesting items indicates: on February 1, four males were reported peenting in southern Virginia; a woodcock was reported in Colorado on February 7, supported by photos and a published article from a similar sighting from 2015; a deceased bird was found in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area on February 8; and on February 29 peenting and mating display flights were observed in northwest Ohio and 41 birds were counted in less than two hours just north of Indianapolis.
The winter woodcock trapping season is complete with the last satellite transmitters (PTTs) deployed in February 2016. This winter the researchers deployed 28 transmitters in Louisiana and Texas.
It appears at least some of the transmitters deployed in the fall are sending locations including one that appears to have overwintered near Cape May, New Jersey.
Habitat projects supported by RGS/AWS in Wisconsin prior to 2016
Coraopolis, PA – Ruffed grouse, American woodcock, golden-winged warblers and numerous other wildlife species require regenerating forest stands that develop following timber harvests and other forest management activities. The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) and its sister organization, the American Woodcock Society (AWS), are pleased to provide $80,340 through the Wisconsin Drummer Fund to 15 outstanding projects in Wisconsin that will enhance habitat for young forest wildlife and increase hunter access to prime hunting areas. Partners will bring an additional $130,000 to complete these projects, resulting in over $210,000 in forest habitat improvements during 2016.
