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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Woodcock |
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Posted:
Thu Oct 13, 2022 9:45 am
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Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Posts: 369
Location: Vermont
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Lost several coverts last few years due to people moving in building on them etc. Couple guys that are deer hunters locked up a big one. But today since the golf course closed and rain predicted the cover next to it was fair game, had 5 points on woodcock never fired a shot. Three flew in the direction of the fairways. Even though there are no people there I don't shoot in that direction ever. Saw a grouse sneaking out from Cooper Tried to get him to come over but he locked up where the bird came from, grouse scent nope another woodcock. Anyway great morning out, flight birds should be coming in. Tough to get shots alone in the spruces and leaves still on. Off to my place in NY tomorrow for ducks on Saturday retirement is tiring. |
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Posted:
Thu Oct 13, 2022 10:05 am
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Joined: 24 Jun 2013
Posts: 2067
Location: canandaigua - western n.y. (formerly deerhunter)
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Been trying to get a bunch of time down to the cabin this yr . We generally have lots of Grouse drumming and now Woodcocks - coming into the pond . NADA !! I have lots of deer , mainly there's a Pear tree right next the pond and it had tons this yr . Only fruit tree around that had anything . I can sit in my stand , probably 50yds from the pond and no birds yet . They usually fly in right at dusk - so far nothing right up till dark . |
_________________ Molly sez AArrrooooooah ! |
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Posted:
Thu Oct 13, 2022 10:42 am
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Joined: 07 Mar 2010
Posts: 483
Location: South Eastern PA
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Flight birds should start to trickle in down here in SE PA soon too.
I also get a non-res license for NJ and hit the Cape May to Salem NJ area. Cape May is an historic hot spot for the Woodcook Migration and it still can produce epic days.
The photo below was from an outing last year. We all used 16-gauge Fox SXS's.
I can't wait to hit the migration this year!
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Posted:
Thu Oct 13, 2022 12:43 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Gentlemen,
Oct 15th is opening day here in Pa for both Grouse & Woodcock, hope to have one of each that day in my freezer or for dinner that night. Soggy Socks the edges of the closed down Golf courses have always been great locations for Woodcock, it's the only decent thing about Golf courses, IMO they are a big waste of what was once great Grouse cover, especially here in our mountains.
all the best,
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
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_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Thu Oct 13, 2022 4:37 pm
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Joined: 10 Jan 2018
Posts: 23
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Been getting into good numbers here in Western Mass.... just hard to hit them with all the green still on the trees.
It's supposed to rain pretty good tonight so I'm hoping some leaves will drop. |
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Posted:
Fri Oct 14, 2022 2:53 am
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Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Posts: 369
Location: Vermont
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Big rain and wind here too hope a lot of leaves came down. Wont know for a bit I can see some branches on the back lawn in the porch light. Good luck heading to NY for the duck opener tomorrow. |
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Posted:
Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:09 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Gentlemen,
Was out again late this afternoon, the Woodcock flight has not reached northern Pa as of today. Our Gordon pup pointed 2 Grouse again today, birds were mighty spooky and we could not get closer than 40 yards away on the big tram road before they busted. Saw only one Woodcock, and it busted out of the thick habitat before I got into gun range. Was a fairly windy day here today, and all the birds were ultra spooky.
all the best,
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 8:14 am
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 444
Location: WI
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Woodcock flights are still moving through the eastern UP, mostly gone already in the western UP. There's around 8" of snow on the ground on my land right now. |
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Posted:
Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:50 pm
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Joined: 17 Oct 2019
Posts: 456
Location: New Jersey
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I just got back from 10 days in VT. The woodies started piling in the last day. Best day was 16 grouse and 10 woodcock. Beautiful country, mostly beautiful weather. |
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Posted:
Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:06 pm
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Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Posts: 369
Location: Vermont
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Good to hear! Went to my favorite cover yesterday and moved 1 woodcock and 1 grouse. Last week of October first week of November typically best now days. |
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Posted:
Mon Nov 07, 2022 11:13 am
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Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Posts: 369
Location: Vermont
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They just hit southern Vermont in numbers last week and a half , I flushed 5 or 6 yesterday checking my trail cams. Today was the last day of woodcock season dog did well, missed one shot three . He pointed a couple more, he also pointed dead on one that was still alive which he usually doesn't do. Heading north Thursday to hunt grouse for a day, Im sure dog will have plenty of practise on woodcock there too. |
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Posted:
Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:21 pm
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 444
Location: WI
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Woodcock are already gone in the UP, I heard they have moved south of the middle of the mitten now too, but can't say first hand. Wrong side of the lake for me... |
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Posted:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 9:40 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Gentlemen,
With this warm weather that has blow in this week, I doubt the flight will move further south in the next week or so. Where these woodcock are sitting right now they may very well remain for a while. Not good for us Pa Grouse and Woodcock hunters, we could miss the Woodcock flight again this year, as far as hunting season goes.
Real crazy weather for sure, we can only hope for colder weather to drive the Woodcock farther south than VT, ME. & upstate NY.
all the best,
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 5:36 am
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Joined: 24 Jun 2013
Posts: 2067
Location: canandaigua - western n.y. (formerly deerhunter)
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Still has been only 1 Woodcock in our camp in So NY Dave - nada ! |
_________________ Molly sez AArrrooooooah ! |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 9:13 am
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Joined: 27 Nov 2020
Posts: 84
Location: mtns of central PA
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I've only moved 2 woodcock in PA this season. Other people seem to be finding them, but the cupboard is looking pretty bare around here... I worked great cover for a couple hours yesterday and just moved one bird. |
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