European woodcock may be rare in parts of their historic range, but in other places they migrate in populations sufficient to attract hunters.
Illegal Italian Woodcock Recipe. Most likely illegal not because of official position that it is not hygienic, but too many Italian chefs were killed immediately after telling customers what they just ate. :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcl-ZoFwJXY
Woodcock hunting in Scotland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bekS4BUCitk
France:
http://www.gourmetfly.com/Huntw.htm