Woodcock; what a wonderful bird!

[GrouseGuy]

Amazing how camouflaged they are!

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[finsfurfeathers]

Love playing where's Waldoe.

[Pointersrule]

Love playing where's Waldoe.

For your enjoyment FFF

The Find


The Prize as it just flushed (Springtime Doodling')

What the heck is he Pointing?

Look to the right of the Chalk/Scat

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

Are you guys snowed in?

Ah, what the hell, I'll play

The best way to cook wc is as described in Orvis cookbook (check other recipies too).
The key is to cook it barely warm (try it with duck if you haven't).
And try to pluck them. I pull most feather in the field. Cut wings, feet and heads at home and freeze them after 3-4 days of aging in the fridge (unless cooking right away). Defrost, pluck, sear in the open flame if you have small feathers, draw (unless you're going to cook whole) and cook.

http://www.orvis.co.uk/intro.aspx?subject=646

Roasting: Place in a preheated 450° oven for 12 to 14 minutes. Test with the Meat Thermicator. It should be from 130° to 150° internal temperature, de-pending on preference for doneness.

[ET1]

To each his own when cooking certain wild game.
My favorite way to enjoy Woodcock was to remove the wings and skin the birds.
Stuff their breasts with stovetop stuffing and apply garlic powder and pepper on the outside. Then wrap birds with lean smoked bacon and roast in the oven at 325F until tender. Served with scallop potatoes and buttered asparagus if available.

When done this way it made the effort of acquiring Woodcock worthwhile for me.


Ed

[coreybaker]

It was hunting those birds that I realized my dogs calling. Uplands... We got hooked on the thrill of woodcock hunting and cant wait for the season to be here again.

[GrouseGuy]

Photo from over 20 years ago. Typical woodcock habitat. Follow the line of sight along the gun barrel to the bird.



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[ninepointer]

In what seems like another lifetime, I used to play a bit with paints. When we moved this summer I found this watercolour from 30 years ago. I guess I had woodcock on the brain then too

[Cass]

Great painting ninepointer!

[Pointersrule]

Ahhh what this Bird does to us eh? Ok so now we are on the Artistic and Collectable part of the thread.....I must admit, I scour Antique shops, Garage sales etc etc to seek out anything Woodcock-Bird Dog/ Upland related.....when this LC Smith crossed my path.....the Hand Engraved Woodcock pretty much sealed the deal....its an 1898 Grade 3 with nice Dimascuss Barrels, gorgeous old growth Figured Walnut and its an Ejector Gun too....all for a little Bird....lets see some of your Collectables/ Artworrk etc....nice Painting Ninepointer!!