I haven't posted in a long while. My wife informed me that Jeff G had posted a couple of photos of us and I should check out the thread. I'm the more distinguished looking of the two. Jeff is the better shot. In another 15 yrs. he'll be distinguished looking too -- and maybe still be a good shot. Brian, I know you are a Fox fancier. The gun I'm holding in the bottom photo along with the woodcock is a .16 ga. Fox Sterlingworth that I re-stocked myself. It's a nice gun.
It's heartening to learn that others have had a good year with woodcock. The numbers in Otsego and Delaware county covers where I do most of my hunting had few of the little birds this year. There has been an alarming fall-off in numbers from the last several years. At least this doesn't seem to be a general trend. Grouse numbers in my covers have been extraordinary. Six to seven birds an hour were commonplace, and while it is never certain some aren't re-flushes, most of these were fresh birds. I would like to post a photo of this year's hunt with Jeff and close friend, Bill C., both of whom brought down three grouse (Mt. Birds) apiece, which I regard as a signal achievement. Each bird is a genuine trophy. To bring home three is special. I may be able to forward the photo to Jeff and have him do it. I shot only blanks, but then I was shooting a .28 ga. I'm thinking of moving up to the big bores like Jeff was using. Like some aborigines, I remain firmly convinced it's the loud BANG that brings them down.
Best wishes for a safe return home, Brian.
Will
