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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208 |
I'll be near Manchester, UK for a couple weeks in November, to do a bit of work.
I'd REALLY like to have the opportunity to shoot some woodcock while I'm in UK. Maybe come in early or stay after my assignment is complete.
American woodcock are my favorite bird to hunt, but while it's relatively easy to find ways to shoot birds here, I'm strugglin' to find a way to do so anywhere in England, Wales, or Scotland.
There doesn't seem to be the same 'hunting guide' concept and all the shoots I can find require larger groups of guns.
Does anyone have any advice?
To make it even more of a challenge, I'd prefer to borrow/rent a gun - a hammergun, ideally, instead of attempt to bring my stuff across.
Thanks!
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,534 Likes: 169
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,534 Likes: 169 |
HOPEFULLY, someone on this site from the UK can come to your aid. But if not ..... I am home, have been to the range (30-06 & 6mm Rem), mowed the lawn, worked the crossword puzzle, and done some reloading, then lunch, and then helped a friend with a gun issue. Now resting, so I will scour the web. http://www.thegearach.co.uk/woodcock/index.htmhttp://www.woodcock-hunting.com/http://wings-hunting.com/p/woodcock.htmlMike
Last edited by skeettx; 10/15/12 03:55 PM.
USAF RET 1971-95 ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 778 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 778 Likes: 36 |
Hammerguy,
The American concept of hunting is perhaps best described by the term 'rough shooting' in the UK. This is not a derogatory term, it can be a very demanding form of shooting but is not generally available as a commercial form of shooting.
It is nearly always the preserve of a 'Gun' who has carefully nutured the permission to shoot a piece of privately owned land (there is no public land that one can shoot on in the UK). These are guarded with great care as the permission can be lost in a second and so only close and highly trusted friends are ever invited on to them.
Woodcock in the UK are a highly prized quarry and, I am informed, nothing as common as in the USA. Most of us are lucky to see one or two in a 5 month season and they are generally not hunted specifically, rather a rare and highly prized entry in the game register.
The exception is the far west of the country and Ireland which, weather permnitting, may have considerable 'falls' of migratory woodcock in the latter part of the season.
Angelsey in North Wales which has several specialised woodcock shoots.
However, I think these are invariably for teams of guns who have a mixed day of driven and walked up birds.
Best of luck but I think you will have a tough search.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208 |
HOPEFULLY, someone on this site from the UK can come to your aid.
But if not ..... I will scour the web. Thanks Mike. I found similar information and have reached out to Bob as well as the Pipers, but you are right, I'm hoping for a local to steer me in the proper direction.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208 |
I'd agree Toby, our US upland hunting probably does best equate to UK rough shooting. And I know several people who have had great fun participating in it around the UK. But, it does seem more of a fluke than a commercial enterprise. Appreciate your original advice of gunsonpegs. They do have some limited opportunity to join a team of guns, unfortunately there just aren't any dates that come close to mine. I realize this may be a fruitless search, but the timing and fluidity of my trip all but demands that I try. The opportunity to have even one pair of pin feathers to add to my collection is too much to resist. Hammerguy,
The American concept of hunting is perhaps best described by the term 'rough shooting' in the UK. This is not a derogatory term, it can be a very demanding form of shooting but is not generally available as a commercial form of shooting.
It is nearly always the preserve of a 'Gun' who has carefully nutured the permission to shoot a piece of privately owned land (there is no public land that one can shoot on in the UK). These are guarded with great care as the permission can be lost in a second and so only close and highly trusted friends are ever invited on to them.
Woodcock in the UK are a highly prized quarry and, I am informed, nothing as common as in the USA. Most of us are lucky to see one or two in a 5 month season and they are generally not hunted specifically, rather a rare and highly prized entry in the game register.
The exception is the far west of the country and Ireland which, weather permnitting, may have considerable 'falls' of migratory woodcock in the latter part of the season.
Angelsey in North Wales which has several specialised woodcock shoots.
However, I think these are invariably for teams of guns who have a mixed day of driven and walked up birds.
Best of luck but I think you will have a tough search.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,096 Likes: 338
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,096 Likes: 338 |
As I have come to understand, woodcock in G.B. are a totally different quarry than in the U.S., being a much larger version and almost totally hunted in twilight or moonlit evenings. No such thing as "walk-up" with dogs in a wooded covert in Limey land. I could be wrong, though.
JR
Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,232
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,232 |
I've shot driven woodcock in the UK and it wasn't expensive. This was with a small syndicate that had a block of land leased. They shot it once a week during the season. A visitor could shoot with them for a nominal fee.
It was a shoot one drive one type setup meaning you got to shoot every other drive and worked as a beater when you weren't shooting. We did, I believe, three drives in the morning and three in the afternoon then made stands for flighted birds right at sunset.
I managed two and missed another, I was pleased needless to say. I still have some contact with the shoot captain but don't know if they still have the club or not. Will check with him if I get a chance.
It was in Oakhampton, I have one of their club badges on my shooting hat. Don't know how far that is from Manchester.
Destry
P.S. You're exactly right John Roberts, the woodcock in the UK are about twice as large as ours.
Out there at the crossroads molding the devil's bullets. - Tom Waits
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,427 Likes: 315
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,427 Likes: 315 |
I assume you moved to the desert from somewhere with woodcock  Archibald Thorburn's "A Labor of Love"  More here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20286828
Last edited by Drew Hause; 10/15/12 05:52 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 208 |
I assume you moved to the desert from somewhere with woodcock Drew - we gotta get together! We need to shoot some quail in the desert. I've been shooting in Wisconsin, which, luckily, has been chock-a-block with migrating birds and more fun than should be allowed.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 329
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 329 |
Mildly off topic, you might try woodcock in Louisiana at the other end of their migration. Try "follow the flight."
Rob
NRA Benefactor Member
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