A friend near Huntsville had male woodcock behind his place today. In a normal year they’d be south of there by now.
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A friend near Huntsville had male woodcock behind his place today. In a normal year they’d be south of there by now.
So to nice of day to be stuck at home. Normally don't think of going out during the control hunt but found a place that didn't allow deer hunting. So headed south west with dreams of hitting some woodcock staging before their flight over the Lake. Well not what I expected. Dogs found 1 cottontail, a rooster left over from the last release I guess, 2 does in their bed, and only 4 woodcock. None of which gave me a shot. Little surprised as expected to see more sign of woodcock. The few splash that I saw were old and nothing fresh. Really doesn't look like they have arrived much less pushed through.
Well I for one am a little happy they they haven't gone through yet as it means more opportunity to get out after them and get Indy more experience. It's always exciting when you run into some of the wildlife to. Hopefully its not a bad sign of the years to come though, just a one off weird yearQuote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
Don't get me wrong not complaining. Given the choice of a 1 and done season or a constant trickle for an extended time I'll take option 2. Its just when you think you got them figured out they'll throw you a curve.Quote:
Originally Posted by anglodrkns
I've been thrown those curves a lot in my past hunting career and that's why I love these little guys soooo much! Since mid October I've been thinking to myself that its going to be a trickle year and I don't think I'm wrong yet. Enjoy the extended season and wish them safe travels south through the gauntlet they have to pass to get to their wintering grounds.
Was out yesterday. Put up two birds, but based on the good amount of 2 day old chalk marks birds are starting to push through. This week will be crucial as snow is in the forecast for next week. Birds will be about two days ahead of that front.
Thanks for the heads up will be heading out tomorrow and that sounds encoragingQuote:
Originally Posted by Frank16
Sadly I might be too busy to get out this next week. Hopefully I can squeeze in another day before they pass.
I was pretty annoyed this weekend to see my go too spot entirely closed for logging. Absolutely no access. Couldn't they have waited another couple weeks
So with the control over headed out to see where we are at. Ran Nova through the better woodcock spots hoping to find some birds but unfortunately the cupboard was bare. Heading back to the jeep Nova went up into an open meadow hill top surrounded by evergreen shrubs pretty much the driest spot in the area. Went on point so had to follow him up. What seemed like five minutes of point and shrub stomping which had me thinking we were trailing a hare doesn't out pop a woodcock. At last it was the only one to be found. Figure a change of plan was in order so dropped Stella down and work primarily towards a grouse hot spot for me. As luck would have it she managed to point one that held long enough for me to close the deal.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...242975544b.jpg
So made a run to Hullet. Scoured the area and sad to say came up nada for woodcock. Looks like the birds have cleared out for another year. Sure there may be a few along the north shore of Erie but looks like I'm done. Time to switch gears looks like grouse and pheasant till the snow comes.