Ontario woodcock reports 2014

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

Between Hunstville and North Bay
Oct 10 5 wc
Oct 11 0 wc
I have to conclude, they're slowly moving south...

[Cass]

Couple pics from today while taking a break:

[northernympher]

October 11, Elmira area. Good spot every year. Zero flushes.

[finsfurfeathers]

I sure hope, whoever, is utilizing the wonderful resource we have in Hullet, are also taking the time to support Hullet, by ,buying a ticket which keeps the pheasant program viable. No financial support, no pheasant release.
Just judging by what I have read here so far,that is a lot of people with no decent place to hunt.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for supporting Hullet however its getting a little much. Almost as bad as watching wild TV. Can we cool it with all the post for donations spam?
Now for the report for which this thread was meant for. Was out yesterday full of anticipation that my patience would be rewarded with a bunch of plump birds. Had the morning free before thanksgiving dinner had to be home by 3. So drove up to my property east of lake Simcoe. I glanced at my bush the conditions looked excellent. Leaf coverage has thinned yet the low cover was still up. As I entered the bush my heart quickly sank. Problem.....too dry. Last year a spot where I had to wet wade to my crotch to retrieve a fallen woodcock was slightly damp. Knew I was toast yet still looked in vain for the woodcock. Dog pointed 3 grouse however couldn't complete my obligation. Don't think the migration is in full swing yet as my spot even in dry areas will always hold some migrants. Sitting at the vehicle I remembered last year on some public land near by there where some beaver ponds in the making that was worth a look. Drove over walked down the heavily used ATV trail to the beaver ponds and found what I was looking for. The beavers had slowly flooded the forest forming small puddles of damp leaf litter surround by those red branch bushes under popular trees. At which point all hell broke out. The dog went on high alert watching her I didn't see the grouse take off from a tree above my head. Befuddled thinking of all places took to be another step and a second grouse took off from the neighbouring tree. Now I'm looking up and missed the dog going on point sure enough bumped a woodcock which lands just 20 yards further up go for the reflush at which it and another depart and of course neither is hit. Took a moment to settle down then went for the closet one. At which things finally came together. A classic point, flush, shot and pickup for one in the bag leaving enough time to get home for curfew.
So in short private hunt spot 3 hour hunt flushed 3 grouse, no woodcock
Public spot 20 minute hunt flushed 2 grouse 3 woodcock, 1 in the bag
My evaluation local birds in prime habitat migrants haven't started to showup.
Hoping the up coming forecast will rehydrated my bush just in time for the migration. Weather too nice though for any big push for the next week.

[Pigeoneater5000]

Saturday a.m. East of London. Zero flushes. Try again next wkn

[hollywood]

IMG-20141012-00250.jpg

Oct 12th Kawartha's - lab moved about 12 Woodcock in about 2 1/2 of hunting. Colours were great and the weather was perfect. These days don't last long. Gun is a 20 ga Ithaca SKS model 200E .... perfect bird gun.

[Redbull]

Niagara West, +9 deg C, 7:30am
Short 1hr hike in 2 small wood lots, moved 5 got one (small).
Great post everyone, keep them coming.

[welsh]

Today at Hullett again, same spots as before, put up six. Didn't hit a one....

Seems there are a few migrants trickling in.

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

Barrie
8-10 am
first hour - 0 (sorry, guys)
second hour - about 10 flushes (2-3 repeats for sure )

[littlebigman]

Northeast Muskoka yesterday. No migrant birds yet. 2 flushes, got 1.