|
12-11-2017, 07:23 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
Posts: 2,514
|
|
Sharp tail
Does anyone know why sharp tail season closes earlier than spruce and rough grouse?
Not that it matters... it’s the season. But just wondering. See some big ol birds but they are safe from me till next fall
__________________
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond.
|
12-11-2017, 07:28 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 2,960
|
|
Lower population numbers need to be protected.
Birds tend to group up and become pretty vulnerable in November
|
12-11-2017, 07:42 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
Posts: 2,514
|
|
YEah. Definitely see more flocks or coveys but if it’s that low shouldn’t it be closed ?
__________________
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond.
|
12-11-2017, 08:03 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,392
|
|
It is closed in every single zone around our parts. Have to travel quite a bit for a hunt. Luckily, I don’t like the taste
|
12-11-2017, 09:05 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,248
|
|
Sharps use to get hammered in Nov during the deer season as they group and sit in trees (easy limits with a .22). I would assume there is very limited targeted pressure in most areas in Oct so the harvest is sustainable then.
|
12-11-2017, 09:21 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 57
|
|
To my knowledge shedcrazy is right. Years ago someone figured out that few people actually had focused hunts for sharptails, but also that too many were shot by deer hunters as a secondary to deer hunting. Since they closed the sharptail season once deer season starts, the sharptail have rebounded incredibly. Even in a down year, the numbers are there for the sharpies to rebound.
|
12-12-2017, 08:04 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4,083
|
|
definitely see them flock up in November up to a hundred strong . Had a good shoot for them in Oct. this year .
|
12-12-2017, 08:11 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,586
|
|
The numbers are getting higher but no where what they were in the early 80s.
|
12-12-2017, 11:06 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 614
|
|
As mentioned above. Seems nov 1 they’re everywhere holding tight lol
|
12-13-2017, 07:14 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,336
|
|
On the other hand
You have to wonder why ruffs are open so long?
|
12-13-2017, 07:22 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,024
|
|
I would guess that habitat loss has limited the population for say the last 50 years, and therefore the shorter season to reduce the overall harvest.
|
12-13-2017, 08:57 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,667
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pioneer2
You have to wonder why ruffs are open so long?
|
I think hunting doesn't actually affect ruffle populations
|
12-13-2017, 09:35 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,914
|
|
If I recollect properly it was the Drumheller F&G club that sent in the resolution to have the season shut down at the start of Big Game season - their reasoning was that the populations suffered greatly from deer hunters using them as target practice. I think it was proposed 3 years in a row before it was passed at Annual Conference and then put to the Gov't as a recommendation from AFGA - and we have had it ever since.
|
12-13-2017, 09:37 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,914
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarychef
I think hunting doesn't actually affect ruffle populations
|
Back in the 80's and 90's when I was involved with the system, general consensus from the Fish and Wildlife is that hunter effort is self limiting in response to the normal population cycles of Ruffed Grouse and management intervention is not really required.
|
12-13-2017, 10:15 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: N. E. of High River
Posts: 4,985
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01
Does anyone know why sharp tail season closes earlier than spruce and rough grouse?
Not that it matters... it’s the season. But just wondering. See some big ol birds but they are safe from me till next fall
|
I think that sharp tails are in a very fragile situation because their habitat is shrinking. Where you find them their numbers are good but they are very sensitive to over hunting. I have read that if too many birds are removed from a flock or area the remaining birds that rely of numbers to survive the winter are at a disadvantage.
Where I hunt them the numbers are good and I could limit every time out but I usually only take 2 or 3 and I only do that a couple time during the season.
A couple of land owners that give me access, tell me that when a group of 4 hunters report that they all got their limit, those guys will never get permission again.
When I tell a landowner that we saw lots of birds and had a good time but only took two each, I get told "glad you had a good time and come back anytime."
I think that a month is time enough to hunt this great bird.
|
12-14-2017, 10:23 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,230
|
|
Interesting observation on Sharp Tails on trapline. Finding good numbers in cutblocks, seems their actually is one positive for one species of game after trees are gone, besides mice.
|
01-16-2018, 09:11 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lethbridge
Posts: 1,927
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01
YEah. Definitely see more flocks or coveys but if it’s that low shouldn’t it be closed ?
|
Growing up pheasant season was 4 weeks long as well. Now look at it.
|
01-23-2018, 01:34 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Grande Prairie
Posts: 274
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf
Interesting observation on Sharp Tails on trapline. Finding good numbers in cutblocks, seems their actually is one positive for one species of game after trees are gone, besides mice.
|
Agreed, we've spotted them in the cutblocks as well.
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:39 AM.
|