Last weekend we took Freighter and Storm out for a run in the forest. It was partly for exercise, but also to do some scouting ahead of hunting season.
Hubby hunts state land and year to year the forest can really change. This Spring they did a lot of logging on the state land around the cabin.
Managing the forest through logging and clear cutting is important for the health of the forest. The most prevalent pine in our area is the Jack Pine. Jack Pines are unique because they can grow in dry and sandy soil. The only problem is that they are a lanky pine and are easily knocked over by wind or ice storms. This particular tract of land had a lot dead trees and dead trees raise concern for forest fires.
Another unique thing about Jack Pines is that the cones containing the seeds are sealed with a resin. The resin must be melted, either by the heat of fire or the summer sun, so the seeds can be released and the trees can regenerate. Obviously a forest fire is not desirable, so instead large trees are thinned so the summer sun can heat the cones and melt the resin.
This area looks bare now, but trust me that in a few short years this section will be full of young trees which will be great habitat for wildlife.
Unfortunately, hubby and the brown dawgs are concerned with hunting this season. Usually the dogs have been able to flush a grouse or two in this area. Storm and Freighter looked and looked and sniffed and sniffed. Nothing.
They did not flush one grouse. In fact I think the only birds we saw that day were Blue Jays. We did not see any grouse tracks either. We are not really surprised due to the change in habitat. This season they will have to hunt a different spot.
We did come across this.
Maybe this area will be a good spot for deer hunting, although there were not a ton of deer tracks either.
we could sing it with Joan Baez… where have all that grouses gone?… not even your fabulous noses could find one? do you think they come back next year, or will they wait till the forest is back to be a better hiding place?
Well I’m sure they were all disappointed, but hopefully this area will be back teeming with wildlife within a couple of years. In the meantime, I hope your Hubs finds a cool spot for hunting.
Hopefully your hubby with find a good spot.
I guess I can see why the birds would want to move on when the forest is looking a little bare. Not too many spots to hide! You can really tell how sandy the soil is in that deer track photo! Hope they had a fun outing even if they didn’t find anything!
I guess the forest is ever changing, and you may have to find a different spot for a while.
Oh, that’s too bad about losing that hunting spot for now. But it sounds like it’s necessary, that is very interesting about the Jack pines!
Awe that’s too bad!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Hi Y’all!
Oh we’ve had very few deer tracks too. We heard coyotes on one of our walks and spied lots of bear sign. Hope y’all don’t have to go too far to find proper forest to hunt.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
It seems like upland game birds are not creatures of habit as much as others, and do mini-migrations from one area to another. There are several areas where a few years ago I ran into a lot of birds, but like your grouse, haven’t seen a sign of birds recently.
Interesting about the jack pines, hope they find some grouse during hunting season.