First Woodcock Hunt

[Joe T]

It’s 5 am and I am up for my first official woodcock hunting day.  I had a restless nights sleep in anticipation of the day.  Maybe I shouldn’t have spent the evening reading Woodcock Shooting by Edmund Davis (1908) or studying their pictures so I know what one is when I finally get to see one!  Late October is supposed to be primary migration time, and I hope a bunch have landed last night at Otis Pike!  Before I head out I need to change the chokes in my 20 gauge Silver Pigeon to Skeet and IC.  Two years ago I never shot a shotgun, let alone owned one, and now I am playing around with chokes! Enzo is still in bed as I get dressed- he has no idea what the day brings. Boy, will he be excited when he realizes! More later from the field…

[Joe T]

[Mike103]

I always found them off Grumman Blvd near the water over there.

It’s been very dry. They will be nearer water.

[ATbuckhunter]

Best of luck! I was thinking about going out tomorrow, but the south wind will halt their migration. Looks like it will be a late migration this year

[mowin]

Good luck Joe.  I don't think I've ever shot one.  Used to see them along the swamp on the farm I hunt, but don't think I've seen one in 25 years, but I did hear some this spring. 

[Joe T]

Thanks for comments everyone- @Mike103 I hunted the three ponds by spot 1 across from Grumman - yes it was dry and we hunted the cover near the ponds and marsh but no sign.  Beautiful sunrise though!

[ATbuckhunter]

2 minutes ago, Joe T said:

Thanks for comments everyone- @Mike103 I hunted the three ponds by spot 1 across from Grumman - yes it was dry and we hunted the cover near the ponds and marsh but no sign.  Beautiful sunrise though!

Pheasant season opens on Friday. I was told to call this sunday for reservations to hunt Friday morning. If you want to hunt the afternoon, just show up when ever. I would expect the flight birds to show up in 2 weeks. The birds are more driven by the right wind than anything else. Except for this sunday and monday, the rest of the forecast isnt favorable for good migration until the 4th. After that the temps drop and the wind is coming out of the north. That'll be your week to target them!

[Joe T]

@ATbuckhunter I am goin back Wednesday and then am going to register for both pheasant and WC on 9th and 10th- depending on what pheasant spot I get in morning, I may need to switch to a pond area in pm

[ATbuckhunter]

1 hour ago, Joe T said:

@ATbuckhunter I am goin back Wednesday and then am going to register for both pheasant and WC on 9th and 10th- depending on what pheasant spot I get in morning, I may need to switch to a pond area in pm

Remember, you need to call 1 week in advance. Wednesday (assuming you mean 10/30) will be very tough for WC. High temps and dry air means tough scenting conditions for experienced dogs. Also not the safest conditions to be hunting a dog in. A young dog still figuring it out, will have a tough time on WC. If you can make it, try for the 1st. At least you'll run into pheasant at the very least. If you're talking about wednesday the 6th, then I'd say you're in for a good day

[Joe T]

Good advice 

[Breaking Point]

@Joe T 

Joe,

Walk around like you are tracking a deer and you will see birds. If you ever want to shoot a deer, act like you are bird hunting!

FYI-  If you ever decide to shoot Crows, they can tell what choke is in your gun.

[Joe T]

7 hours ago, Breaking Point said:

@Joe T 

Joe,

Walk around like you are tracking a deer and you will see birds. If you ever want to shoot a deer, act like you are bird hunting!

FYI-  If you ever decide to shoot Crows, they can tell what choke is in your gun.

Sounds like great advice, but I’ve never tracked the deer so I’m not sure how I would do it! Lol… Plus, I don’t want to eat crow!