Spring means a lot of things here in Pennsylvania. Trout season and spring gobbler season are things that always come to mind. But for upland bird hunters like myself, there's an event that happens right about this time of year which offers a fine opportunity to get your dogs some excellent training. It's also a good excuse to get the both of you outdoors to shake off the lingering effects of cabin fever.
I'm talking, of course, of the spring migration of woodcock back to their summer homes in areas like the Gaspe area of Quebec. They usually pass through our area starting right about now. I've seen them start coming through as early as late February and have seen them continue to pass through this area as late as early May. If you own a young dog that you're trying to introduce to wild birds, this event represents a very special opportunity. Woodcock are very cooperative for a young pointing dog. In my opinion, they are perhaps the best wild bird out there for dog training purposes. One word of caution, though: once you flush a bird, don't follow up and try to re-flush the same bird. The little things are in the midst of a very long flight and shouldn't be overly pressured. If you hit the timing just right there will be plenty of birds around, so work your dog on a few then call it a day. Short training sessions are more productive than long one,s anyhow.
HELP AVAILABLE: With the coming of spring also comes the wildfire season here in Pennsylvania. If you belong to a volunteer fire company, you may be able to qualify for some financial help in your fight against these annual events.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced that more than $650,000 is available this year to help our rural communities better guard against the threat of fires in forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas.
These yearly grants are provided by the DCNR's Bureau of Forestry with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.
The Bureau will place priority on those grant applications seeking funds for the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing.
Grants may also be used for purchasing radios, installing dry hydrants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training firefighters or converting or maintaining federal access vehicles.
Grants are awarded on a cash-share basis and cannot exceed 50 percent of the current expenditures of local, public and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement.
The maximum grant to any fire company is $7,500 and any items purchased in this year's program must be purchased by the end of 2010.
Applications are only being accepted on-line and must be submitted by May 20. Interested fire companies can go the DCNR Web site, then click on "Apply for grants," then "Online grant applications," and DCNR volunteer fire assistance.
I know I'll hear from some of my hunting buddies about how a few fires in our Pennsylvania woodlands are probably a good thing, as the resulting regeneration creates some really great wildlife habitat. I'd agree that controlled burning has some merit, but uncontrolled wildfires are an entirely different thing.
n E-mail comments to jdsteese@yahoo.com.
Sports
Don Steese's Outdoor Perspectives column: Return of the woodcock
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