Woodcock Surprise

[RUSS0079]

Got out this afternoon, to run a brace of dogs and take my daughter for a walk. I hit a brushy/marsh in Chester County. Parked and walked down to a bottom and with in 3 mins, Briar my GSP, went on point in a cherry choked marsh edge. A second later a fat Woodcock went up. A nice open shot was presented, but opting for my A.H Fox this after noon produced a miss. :huh:The chokes are too tight. Didn't matter my daughter thought it was cool that she saw a woodcock and her pointer put it up. We walked some more marshy bottoms, but little legs tired quick. Either way, it was cool and I'll be visiting that spot more often. Plus there are a few pheasants and rabbits in that spot.
Russ:thup:

[RUSS0079]

Didn't have any hunting clients yesterday, so I went out late morning to see if the woodcock were still moving in. Had a beautiful morning before the storm rolled in. Casted Ticket and Briar out in to some likely looking woodcock cover in THE GAME LANDS. Hit the middle of a large weed field and Briar pointed and flushed 3 woodcock within 10 mins. No shots were presented. :huh:Ticket pointed the largest bunny I have ever seen. The rabbit must not have liked being pointed at, it took off like a shot. So fast that it ran into a tree. :fight:No shots were presented. It did give me a chance to check out some more of the covert though. I know where I'm going this week, when I drop the little one off at school next week:razz: Who wants to come? We could have gotten all the woodcock, if I had another gun with me. I'll give you a discount! The woodcock should stay around for another week or two.
Russ

[BarnesX.308]

Thanks for the report. The upland grouse are waiting. :D

I heard a good deal of shooting from the park last Saturday morning. They must have stocked pheasants. Actually, I know they did. We had one behind the cabin on Sunday. :D

[RUSS0079]

Went out this morning and was greeted by several trucks in my normal spot. Not a good start but the dogs were tearing up the truck to get out. Took a direct run for the farthest field. Hit a brushy draw with cherry trees. Briar got above a bird and flushed it wild. A fat wood cock. Missed with number 6's. I was looking for pheasants. The rest of the hunt was uneventful with birds. I hit all the cedar trees to see if there were anymore woodcock, but nothing.I was surprised to see a woodcock still in Chester County, but was happy non the less. I didn't hunt the first two brushy draws, as the other hunters were there and I didn't want to interupt their hunts. All had dogs.

[ub1243]

haven't seen any woodcock down my way yet.
but i did hear one small game shot tonight sitting in a tree.
maybe they are just getting down here.
i used to shoot a lot of those little guys around here.

[massbaster]

Swatara area...... flushed 3 and missed 1 this past sat.....also flushed 1 grouse and missed 2 roosters....

[ACEarcher]

I've only seen one woodcock so far. It was during a pheasant hunt. Ruger didn't even pick him up. We flushed the woodcock right after I shot at a cock bird. It flushed right at my feet. Scared me at first. LOL I tried taking 2 shots at him with high brass 6 shot LOL. No luck LOL