Unless it rains hot water in a hurry, woodcock arriving in central Maine will have to subsist on snow fleas. Because woodlands hereabouts were practically snowless a few weeks ago, it appeared the migrating “ground birds” would have easy pickings for a change. Naturally, wildlife biologists and sportsmen who favor pointing dogs and smoothbore guns were more than pleased, for they knew an early spring would greatly benefit the depleted woodcock population.

Last year, late-winter storms resulted in alarming losses of the birds during northern migrations. Accordingly, those that survived the unusually arduous journey were in poor shape when they arrived on nesting grounds. As if that were not enough, last spring’s nesting conditions – rain and cold weather prevailed – were disastrous. Consequently, woodcock production was dismally low. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that, in the 1996 annual hunter-harvest survey of woodcock, few of the wings submitted by participating hunters came from juvenile birds.

So, along comes March with its “whitewash” snows that form crusty seals by melting during the day and freezing at night. Worse yet, the snow insulates the ground and prevents frost from thawing – and woodcock from using their long bills to bore for worms, grubs and insects. Yet, the resourceful birds have managed to survive March’s weather tantrums ever since the Ice Age rearranged the Northern Hemisphere’s fauna and flora. But in spite of the woodcock’s tenacity, the species has declined precipitously during the last three decades. According to the USFWS, the eastern woodcock population declined 50 percent from 1968 to 1996. The population is now at its lowest level ever recorded. Central woodcock populations are following suit with a 36 percent decline since 1968.

It’s no secret that continuous loss of habitat is the factor most culpable for the decline of this country’s wildlife, including nongame species. Land use, however, cannot be controlled by wildlife agencies; but hunting mortality, an important factor in wildlife management, can be controlled.

Therefore, considering the aforementioned, expect a reduction in the length of the 1997 woodcock season. Word is the USFWS recommended a 30-day season beginning Oct. 10 in Maine. Why? Statistics show nearly 30 percent of the woodcock bagged by Maine hunters were shot in the first 10 days of the season that began Oct. 1. The Atlantic Flyway Council, however, has recommended a 30-day season beginning Oct. 6, which actually amounts to a four-day hunting restriction. Either way, the daily limit will remain at three birds. Go figure.

Last year, the USFW’s Migratory Bird Management Office recommended a 33 percent reduction in Maine’s woodcock season. Biologists argued, however, that there were no data indicating hunting was responsible for the decline in woodcock. Hence, a large-scale project regarding woodcock survival has been implemented by the U.S. Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division. To date, the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Michigan have either committed to or are considering participation in the project.

Because hunters bag more woodcock in Maine than in any other eastern state, it isn’t surprising that, in conjunction with the USGS project, a research proposal to study the effects of hunting on survival and habitat use of woodcock has taken wing in this neck of the woods.

Now, be advised that this proposal is not a “snap shot” attempt at gathering data. To the contrary, a partnership of agencies and organizations has been formed to draw a fine bead on the issue. Currently, the partnership includes: USFWS, Ruffed Grouse Society, and Champion International Corp. Depending on a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, the partnership will be expanded to include the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (University of Maine). Federal funds for the proposal are in place.

The proposal submits that three separate study areas are required to research the effects of hunting on woodcock survival in Maine. Beginning this year, USGS will coordinate survival studies on Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and land owned by Champion Corp. Frye Mountain Wildlife Management area, owned by the DIFW, is managed for upland game and is open to hunting, as is Champion land. Hunting is prohibited on the Moosehorn refuge; however, a control area not influenced by hunting is necessary to the survival studies.

The study agenda includes: capturing woodcock with mist nets and night-lighting techniques; attaching small radio transmitters to captured birds, allowing daily tracking and status determination; classification of habitats used; and examination of dead birds at hunting and nonhunting areas. Population assessments will include monitoring the number of singing male woodcock occupying study areas and using pointing dogs to locate broods in monitoring production and relative abundance of females. Time and personnel allowing, woodcock captured on summer roosting fields would be banded. During hunting season, bag checks will be conducted to determine the proportions of banded and radio-marked birds shot by hunters.

Granted, wildlife-management studies, projects, surveys, and programs tend to be complicated, confusing, and long-term. Obviously, the research proposal regarding the effects of hunting on woodcock survival is no exception. But you can believe that in these times of “progress” and “political correctness” the proposal is essential to managing populations of the sporty game birds and paramount to protecting the grand tradition of woodcock hunting.