I had an amazing woodcock year, starting in Michigan Sept 28th and ending in NY. My dog pointed in excess of 200 woodcock. She has pointed about 20 grouse and we moved a bunch more. The dog had over 50 birds killed over her between myself and several friends. I am hoping to get out tomorrow and see how the grouse have fared over the deer season.
I hunt a lot of the same areas as Mikes pal in Western NY, so he and I are in the same general areas. However, my season last year was pretty good too, as were the 2 before that as well. So my view is that woodcock numbers are on the rise. It could be that my dog is 6 and is in her prime. I also take about 12 vacation days for woodcock season and screw off from work most of the other days as well!
