Texas Woodcock

[Scott Chapman]

Loaded up the dogs and headed 6 hours east into the Texas Piney Woods for a first ever attempt at finding the elusive Texas woodcock.

There are several National Forests and WMAs in East Texas that supposedly winter some migratory timberdoodles.

Here is a picture of our results. We put up 7 birds in about 4 hours of walking. Not a huge number of birds as we found all 7 of those birds concentrated in one strip of woods probably 20 acres in size. We walked a lot of other unproductive
thickets.

The boys handled the 16 gauge Trojans well and accounted for 3 birds.

All in all a successful maiden voyage.

[Daniel Carter]

Well done, and i thought i drove a long way for a bird. Love the look on the boy's faces. They are a passion with me, i never stop learning about them.The cover you found them in has some thing that differentiates it from the others. Finding out what that is is the key to knowing where to go and when you find it it will change!!

[Rich Anderson]

Congrats on a successful quest. I can't speak for habitat in Texas but here in Michigan I hunt Woodcock around soft soil with tag alders and preferably some form of water nearby such as a swamp or stream or aspen stands that have a soft soil. Worms are a primary food source and they have to be able to probe the ground for food. Find the food you'll find birds.

[Dean Romig]

In the words of several old-time woodcock shooters, “Woodcock are where you find ‘em.”

And I’ve found this to be true but my favorite woodcock covers are south facing semi-open areas with mixed brusy and grassy areas among wild apple trees and young pines upslope from seeps and creeks.
I’ve even found woodcock on northside slopes in the wetter areas that are basically sunlight-starved but have the cover they like.

The Texas “piney woods” sounds ideal!





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[Harold Lee Pickens]

Wow, Texas woodcock--who'd a thunk it! Do they grow 'em bigger down there?
Were you using dogs?Dogs will really improve your success rate.
Nice Trojans

[Dean Romig]

Absolutely right on dogs and woodcock. Without a dog you could be stepping within mere inches of a tight-sitting woodcock and you’ll never know it.





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[Scott Chapman]

Were you using dogs?Dogs will really improve your success rate.
Nice Trojans

A big running leggy 2.5 year old West Texas quail hunting GSP and a 3 year old fairly timid Brittany. The GSP found several birds but we couldn't get to him in all the tangles before the bird flew (On-point at 100 yards plus).

I had GPS collars on both the dogs and brand new blaze orange vests as muzzleloading deer season was still open on the public WMA.

I would like to make another trip but looks like I have a couple of quail invites to South Texas so my season is likely over for chasing woodcock.

There has been an excessive amount of rain in East Texas this winter and everything is super wet. We found the birds late morning in some thick stuff (youpon and green briars probably blackberry mixed there).

I'd love to spend a couple of days puttering around in the woods with the dogs and a shotgun. Maybe next season. The good news is that my brother only lives 90 minutes from the WMA and he is excited about finding more birds. I'll let him do the "leg-work"!:)

[Dean Romig]

I would probably use just the "timid Brittany" by himself. He'll find the woodcock but probably won't bump them like the GSP seems to do. Just my $.02 opinion.





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[Garry L Gordon]

Gosh, it's nice to read about a hunt where the weather was bearable and the sun could be seen. We've been "weathered out" of the end of our quail season, so I'm encouraged to read of your success.

I've always wanted to hunt woodcock in East Texas. I've had the chance to shoot them in Louisiana, and it was like going to another planet for someone from North Missouri. Back in the day we used to catch migrating woodcock on their way back north in Western Tennessee. I'm glad they've curtailed that late season, but it sure was nice to be able to hunt them in late February.

I hope you get back to those WMAs. My guess is that your dogs will adjust to the cover and the birds with enough contacts. Just remember to leave some birds for us to see doing their sky dance on their way back north.

Thanks for posting. I certainly enjoyed your photos.