November is one of my absolute favorite months for birds. The excitement of the holidays, the chilly autumnal nights and the vibrant leaf colors blend to create a symphony of sights and smells best enjoyed strolling through the great outdoors.
What to Chase and Where
Anything! Literally just about every single feathered species we are allowed to hunt can be hunted at some point in November (except Atlantic Brant). Whether you prefer the woods, waters or open fields and farmland, there is a bird out there for you to chase! This is another reason I love this month.
Timber doodles are definitely high on the priority list. Their season will open for us November 11-30. The reports from the UP and mid-western states aren’t the greatest. They had a very wet spring and that of course affected the broods and nesting rates. When I was in Minnesota in June, we had one day that received over 5” of rain! Unfortunately, this article is being penned days before I leave to hunt the mid-west, so I won’t be able to give you the inside scoop but friends that have already been out report the numbers are indeed lower than the previous year. Fingers crossed the Blue Kai pups and I find success in the woods of northern MN.
Grouse numbers are also down in the mid-west due to the wet spring and the Maine numbers are showing as “good” but still not setting any records. Last year in Maine was fairly dreadful for the king of game birds but the new norm seems to be bust or bounty in the cycle.
November has become a great month for waterfowl and after speaking with local outfitters, has become a more consistent month for clients to bag birds. For those of you lucky enough to draw a tundra swan tag, get your outfitter booked now! If you are fortunate enough to have a spot the swans come into, keep your eyes to the sky and be ready to hit the field as soon as they arrive. I have noticed them coming farther inland than before. Driving through Montpelier along 33 I almost ran off the road last year. A swan was mixed in with Canada geese flying low overhead and I couldn’t help but be a seriously distracted driver.
Do you love chasing fur as well as feathers? Rabbits and squirrels are a plenty in November! Both are all the more exciting when enjoyed over great dogs.
There are WMAs all over the state and hopefully, you had a chance to do a little scouting this past summer. Chickahominy and Cumberland seem to always hold woodcock although these peculiar little birds will up and move east with no warning. Monitor the local based hunting Facebook pages for updates but don’t assume anyone is going to give you a map to their honey hole.
Download a mapping app to stay within the boundaries whether you are on private or public land and to have a better idea of habitat that is more likely to hold birds. OnX is super popular but there is also Hunt Stand, which I honestly think is just as good as OnX. Other apps include Powderhook, GAIA GPS and Hunt Wise. Know before you go and be sure to have a med kit for your pup, plenty of water for you both and your favorite shotgun.
If you’re short on time or not as comfortable going at it alone on public land, there are some amazing outfitters available throughout the state and on the pages of this magazine.
There are some great resources inside the Facebook VA hunting groups. Don’t be bashful about reaching out and trying to connect with someone to go out with, especially if you’re the one bringing the dog power. No matter your quarry or location for this November, be sure to share the experience with a friend or family member and introduce them to our phenomenal sport! Good luck everyone.
