Larry,
Good news, if you are an Uper. When I bought my home, circa 1988 or so, the road had yet to be paved (or, the city water run out to it, and a few other modern things, but that was then and this is now) and I would wait for the first hard rain of September to see perhaps several thousand woodcock feasting on worms on the side of the road in front of my home-you couldn't hunt them, but, it did my heart good to see them. I haven't seen a woodcock, save a few that persist in nesting in the slews around the perimeter of Jane's field (the Anoka airport) in my neighborhood, for most of a decade.
I had a secret spot on the Red Lake WMA where, just behind a hill, I would post with my Gordon in the hour before sunset, and lots would fly over the hill to get to the edge of a damp slew right up to twilight. At the time, I could hunt the Red Lake and not see anybody for most of a week, it is pretty far out into nowhere. When I say lots, I mean thousands. I didn't feel too guilty about taking five out of the mass, but, the last time I tried it (1999 or 2000, I don't remember) zip, nada, zilch. I have shot perhaps three since then, that the new dog has handled well. She usually doesn't. But, it is irrelevant if I don't find them these days, anyway.
My self imposed limit is imposed by more than me, in this case.
Best,
Ted
