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Hi all,
Let's see if we can have reports thread with meaningful participation this year.
Please post short description of your hunt - date, location, conditions, birds moved.
Good luck everyone!
I opened on the 25th not too far from Newmarket.
I was warm and very wet, lots of standing water.
Probably moved about 10 birds, shot at 3, saw another one fly and couldn't find the dogs on point even with a GPS, it was very thick and some technical challenges with the GPS.
Just resident singles so far north of Barrie.
Haven’t targeted them specifically, but put one up this morning a little north of London while walking into the duck blind. Over night temps dropping into single digits. Should start shaking things up.
moved one bird at the same spot today, then hunted a private spot for the first time, moved 6-7 birds in tiny honey hole.
Wet ground, sunny, hot.
The local population looks pretty good, I hunted a private spot today and moved at least 14 wc in 1.5 hours.
That's the best I've done in that spot in the early season.
It's hot and hot for the dogs and very green, but we'll take it.
Found one in the back yard today. Birds are on the move think this year maybe a shortened season.
Made it out a couple of times since the 25th. Good number of bird found both times. 2 days ago find 10 in 30 minutes just running the dogs close to my house.
Just a quick after work hunt today. Moved 3 bird got one.
The birds seems to be moving around.
One pointed bird jumped may be 2-3 m in from of the dog, I thought it was injured, but then it took off, flight bird I am guessing.
Although the weather is crazy warm, including up north, but I guess some are starting to migrate.
I moved 6-7 birds around Newmarket yesterday and the same number in the local park. It's hot for the dogs and for me.
This thread is funny this year, gets the views, but no contributions.
Oh well, today was another good, if hot day in the field. Moved 10 in just over one hour around Newmarket.
I have to say, looks like the local birds did well this year, because I think they're mostly local.
The best part is coming up, I am taking the last week of October off work :)
Yup sure is strange. Myself keeping to my own thread as not to sour other's reading.
Was looking forward to Lor's post as he's bringing up a young one.
Hope they are getting out and share some stories latter on.
Some of us like don't do it so we like reading about what or how you do it :)Quote:
Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz;1175442[B
Glad you are having success. Keep the posts coming. :thumbup:
Hey guys, sorry been so busy with work and family just haven’t been posting much. I’ve been out 4 times so far this year for woodcock since the opener, and have been putting up a few birds here and there , average 3-4 birds per outing , with the exception a couple days after the opener where I put up 6 birds or so, but due to the heat, the outings have been fairly short. All local birds no doubt, (hunting just north of Barrie), as I don’t think they are moving yet with this heat. The pup is doing well, and learning with my older GSP. Definitely a good idea to plan for the last week of October, as that is usually, 9/10 times when the biggest flights push through … or , given the warm weather this year, we could possibly have a huge push first week of November , like back in 2017 … where it was woodcock mayhem for the first few days of November. Looks like the somewhat cooler weather will start by the end of this week , so I would have expect some birds to move in come next week .
Lorenzo
I would post pics of the pup , but honestly this thing drives me nuts … I can’t copy and paste and when I try to upload it keeps saying “image upload failed” . Will keep at it and hopefully post some pics soon.
Moved 3 wc and a grouse today.
It starts!!! Until today, we've only seen local birds north of Barrie. Today, despite the heat, despite an old, deaf dog, we had 6 flushes. It was too warm to even think about working the cover and being that the dog is deaf I can't chance plowing through the tall stuff in case she loses me. As long as she can see me, we can make the ecollar work but if she hits the trail and can't see me...she can't hear me, she sometimes gets confused and heads the wrong way on the trail....sometimes all the way back to the car a hours hike away!
I wish it was cooler. I wish the old pup wasn't deaf. Today would have been a day!!! As it was, I went 1 for 2 so I didn't get the look of shame when she checked the game back when we got home!
Yesterday, Saturday
Newmarket area
Very wet from night's rain
Moved 12 birds, had to cover more ground for them, than usual
I expected them to be under cedars, but no
some were repeats for sure
Moved 6. Ingersol area. Near thames river. Hoping to finally get out hunting this week. Good luck everyone and thanks for starting this thread.
Went 4-6 yesterday morning North of London. Looks like the migration is underway.
Was out on Thursday and just found one bird north of Barrie, but with this cooler weather and some decent winds the last couple days, I’m sure they are on the move. Hoping to get out tomorrow.
Lorenzo
I heard about wc showing up around North Bay, get ready guys! (and gals, I am yet to meet female wc hunter or is it huntress? ;) )
I would say it's been local birds up till maybe two days ago (18th) in the London area. Just now starting to see birds displaying migration behavior even then small numbers maybe 5 or so. Tough to get a good count with the pup. But I've been running experienced dogs as well pretty much every day and haven't seen any major increases in numbers. Attachment 42404
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3 woodcock and 2 grouse yesterday. Only hunted about 3 hour.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...bb4afd8e_b.jpgUntitled by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr
Friday. It was crazy in the local park (no shooting). Must have moved at lest 15 birds in 30 min.
Went for a hunt in the evening, not as good, but between 2 dogs moved around 10 birds.
I hunted them in shifts and it produced much better results, usually I hunt 2-3 together due to lack of time and cover.
I waited for sunset and saw 4 wc flying around.
October 22, north of Barrie, perfect conditions and temps, 4 hunters & 2 dogs, hunted all day: moved 6 WC and 5 grouse.
Saturday.
Around Newmarket, slim pickings, moved 4 wc
In GTA park - zero, they moved on.
Amarath. Moved at least 15 wc and 5 grouse. I got 3 wc missed an other 3 the rest not presented any shooting opportunity.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9efc2cf7_b.jpgUntitled by Jozsef Nyiri, on Flickr
Over 10 woodcock flushed this morning north of London.
Took dogs for a training run today, only found one wc.
Been out 4 or 5 times near Barrie, mostly local birds. It seems like number of local birds are very high this year. Went out again yesterday, some birds behaved like northern birds.
hunted sunday. Kincardine area. moved 23. I was able to shoot at 12. took home 4. Cover was thick and nasty. Definitely needed a wing man lol! I was soaked to the bone. But it was worth it!
Yes, I agree, SOnt local wc population was very strong this year, but they're gone from here now.
Hunted today (Monday) north of Newmarket. Moved 5 (3 were within 10 yards circle), 1 grouse (haven't seen a grouse there in a while, good thing I missed it :)
Went out again after work. Got soaked. 2 points, 1 bird. No northen birds yet.
Tuesday
North of Newmarket again
rain again
Moved 7, still waiting for real numbers, may be the wind brought them in, we'll see today
Wednesday, the same spot, but very nice weather
only 3 wc
after that I drove to "Barrie", NOTHING there. I guess we'll see in a few days what happens
I don't usually clean the birds right away, so I haven't performed a proper autopsy, but most seem quite skinny, no fat on them
Went out yesterday. Northen birds are here! Big numbers!
Good for you, where did you go? what numbers?Quote:
Originally Posted by brittany
Meanwhile I managed to shoot an innocent tree again
Attachment 42481
ROFLMBO
Around 89 and 400 area. Definitely here.
well, thanks.
I was out yesterday around Newmarket and for the first time this year we found no birds, well the dogs flushed a turkey and had a lot of fun chasing it, but that's not what we're after with #8 shot
Was out today in Flamborough. 10 birds in an hour and half. Fun to watch the dog. Found them in grassy openings inside cedar stands bordering hardwoods. Only got one. Very poor shooting. Attachment 42491
5 wc 1 grouse today, slim pickings
Hasn't been a great year for me with woodcock this season, just seems as though they bypassed the places where I usually find quite a few of them. Was hoping to get the pup on some big flights, but it didn't pan out. Will try and get out later this week and see what happens - will report back but I am pretty sure they are gone for the most part where I hunt.
Attachment 42514
Ya think this year was an odd season. Started seeing birds in the 407/keele area end of Aug. Tried too convince myself they were locals as don't see 'em again till the migration is in full swing. In hind sight I believe they were on the move early this year for some unknown reason and didn't stay long in any one place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lor79
FFF maybe a sign of a bad winter this year.
Something is definitely not normal this year. Early migration, forest fires in northern Ontario, dryer than normal in norther Ontario, no real killer frost yet and we are in November now......I can't put my finger on it.
Hunted 2.5hrs today north of Barrie and put up 5 woodcock and two grouse. The pup did great with three solid points on her own, very happy with her progress. Some patches of snow here and there, great day to be out. Still a few stragglers around , so get out there !
Lorenzo
I signed up to participate in this thread—I’ve gotten some use out of the updates here and I thought I’d share my own.
Hunting in 92B, yesterday, I put up the same resident birds I’ve seen all season. Nothing seems to have moved where I am.
Thanks for the updates, they’re super helpful.
Sometimes I wish they were colour coded. Wondering if the same resident birds you've seen all season are not ones that have replace the ones that moved on? Are you able to determine the ratio of males to female? The last hunt I was on most were males which some believe is an indication the bulk of the flight has passed through.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cratylus
I’m afraid I’m not good enough at sexing woodcock to tell you about what I’ve seen and I haven’t shot enough to give you a good indication anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
I think it would be unlikely, given the consistency of the location, number, and lack of hunting pressure that the birds I’ve been seeing are migratory. I’m also basing this on some info I’d heard this week from Michigan that their birds are staying put.
My theory has been that there have been a few a periods of activity tied with heavy frosts in Muskoka and north, but because this hasn’t been consistent, most birds are taking their time working south.
I think the picture has also been muddied by the strange/dry spring that seemed to have caused an unusual return and maybe some unusual movements after the fact?
You might be right that I’m just seeing a slow trickle passing through, but I think they’ll still be moving after Remembrance Day.
Best
Welcome and thanks for the report. I wish more people north of me would participate :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Cratylus
Went to one of my favorite spots today, that will hold 10-20 birds every time I go when they are migrating. Dog didn't out up a single bird....weird. In 93 near Sarnia.
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Back out in 92B, dog pointed two of the usual suspects and I bumped one.
Edit: can't figure out how to rotate the image.
Attachment 42587
Attachment 42588
I have been following this thread for years, I find these birds fascinating but never see them. This morning I was moving in to intercept a rabbit and flushed this beauty. I love fast snap shots on grouse and rabbits but this bird had me so excited. I felt like when I shot my first deer lol.
Put it on the kitchen scale for fun. I have nothing to compare to, seems like a good size bird tho.
I’m thinking a bird dog will be in my future as I have been loving grouse and waterfowl a lot lately.
Now back to living through others hunts and stories [emoji4]
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Good to see they may still be around hopefully back at Wednesday. Wondering general location?Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger02
Glad to hear people are still out chasing them! I took the deer week off (usually go to Pelee) and went to Quebec to a friends cottage. Now the areas we hunt are not typically woodcock cover but in the past we have put up birds. We put up zero woodcock. Luckily dogs had plenty of grouse to hunt. Hopefully there are still some woodcock around here. Going out later this week and will report back.
Took the dog out to Hullett, there was a fair bit of splash around, but otherwise no luck.
That's suprising. Would of figured a few still be there. Was a coin flip, almost made my way there today. Ended up north east of beaverton looking for grouse, found two woodcock still around.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cratylus
How was the pheasant hunt? Should of been a release today. If you wont too reply might want to start another thread as not to derail this one.
Looks like I hunted about 16 days and moved close to a 100 wc with 2-3 dogs on the ground (the old one stayed home half the time).
It was a good year in my books, but doesn't approach the one when we moved 250 wc with one dog, although about 50 of them were in one crazy, crazy day.
FFF, there's no risk of side tracking this thread, as we're done for the year :(
I'm not so sure hearing rumours there are some to be found north shore erie may have a look around tomorrow if the weather and guide cooperatesQuote:
Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz
I got a couple woodcock this week north of London. Looks like there’s still some around.
Honestly, my dog’s not great with pheasants so I don’t really bother. Chasing woodcock and Hullett’s lone grouse is good enough. Pheasants were likely released yesterday, I saw a pair along Conservation rd at Wildlife line.Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
This afternoon, 6 birds up along Erie north shore. With the high winds I hear, they might be overnighting.
Flushed a woodcock out of the snowy undercover while deer hunting in the controlled hunt between Dundas and Brantford.
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