The Scout 2017

It’s time, once again, to offer up our traditional preseason look at the habitat conditions, weather phenomena and bird populations across the Lower 48 states that will probably play a major role in the situations you face when you step into your favorite upland bird hunting spot this autumn.

This year, we’re fine-tuning the focus of our report just a bit: Instead of asking state-level game bird biologists to gaze into crystal balls during early spring and make astounding predictions for autumn, our crack team of reporters set out to scout the situations in each state. So, over the next few pages you’ll see their “scout,” their reports on what they’ve learned about bird hunting possibilities as we approach our favorite opening days.

As always, please remember that our deadline forces us to gather this information a few months in advance of publication. For current information about the states you are interested in, please check out the link to “State Hunting Laws” on the “Resources for Bird Hunters” page on our website, www.uplandalmanac.com.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States

Timothy C. Flanigan

Connecticut –Widespread habitat manipulation to aid the recovery of New England Cottontail Rabbit population is also creating excellent woodcock habitat and their numbers appear good. The grouse population remains low with a few birds in the northern portion of the state.

Delaware – New Castle County wildlife areas received over 1,450 acres of game bird habitat modifications including 30 acres of food plots and 70 acres of warm season grasses. Seven hundred and fifty acres of pines were thinned at Midlands Wildlife Area, and agriculture was suspended on additional areas to benefit doves and turkeys in Sussex County.

Maine – Woodcock singing ground survey counts were high last spring and hunting prospects are good. A three-year decline in grouse numbers leads biologist to expect mediocre grouse numbers this fall. Wild turkey densities are currently high, and hunting is quite good.