American Woodcock Population Status, 2007

Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the numbers of displaying American woodcock (Scolopax minor) in the Eastern Region in 2007 declined 11.6% from 2006; however, the Central Region was unchanged. There was no significant trend in woodcock heard in either the Eastern or Central Region during 1997-07. This represents the fourth consecutive year that the 10-year trend estimate did not indicate a significant decline. There were long-term (1968-07) declines of 2.0% per year in the Eastern Region and 1.8% per year in the Central Region. The 2006 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 7% lower than the 2005 index, and 8% lower than the long-term regional average. The 2006 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 11% higher than the 2005 index, and 2% higher than the long-term regional average. The Harvest Information Program indicated that U.S. woodcock hunters in the Eastern Region spent 144,200 days afield and harvested 78,000 birds during the 2006-07 season. In the Central Region, U.S. hunters spent 344,300 days afield and harvested 232,600 woodcock