Destry and Kerryman, I occasionally shoot woodcock in a bit of a different way here in Jawja. In my area of the Coastal Plain there are hundreds of low, swampy areas, called Carolina Bays, which hold water in the center, have muddy and grassy areas around the periphery and many times second growth oak and gum just adjacent to that. They range in size from 2 or 3 acres up to the big ones, like two which are within a mile of my house that are 500 and 1000 acres respectively. When the woodcock move down in late winter they must find these bays much to their liking as I can just walk them up by walking the edges. Shooting is split-second and instinctive for the most part.
The most memorable day I recall concerning woodcock is a day we were hunting birds around the 500 acre bay, known as Oliver Pond, and the dog pointed in the oaks in a fairly open area. I could see the ground plainly ahead of the dog and all I could see was oak leaves. As I approached to the rear of the dog the leaves erupted with a whir of wings and THREE woodcock spiraled upwards. I was so bumfuzzled at the sight that I missed. But, lo and behold, they flew about thirty yards and came right back down in plain view. Next approach they weren't so lucky. A brace of mature, well-fed woodcock is a fine sight in the hand, is it not?
Last edited by Stan; 03/31/09 07:09 AM.
