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01-16-2019, 11:04 AM | #3 | ||||||
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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.
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There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter...Earnest Hemingway |
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01-16-2019, 11:36 AM | #4 | ||||||
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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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"I'm a Setter man. Not because I think they're better than the other breeds, but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture." George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic. |
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The Following User Says Thank You to Dean Romig For Your Post: |
01-16-2019, 11:45 AM | #5 | ||||||
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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
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"How kind it is that most of us will never know when we have fired our last shot"--Nash Buckingham |
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01-16-2019, 12:01 PM | #6 | ||||||
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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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"I'm a Setter man. Not because I think they're better than the other breeds, but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture." George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic. |
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The Following User Says Thank You to Dean Romig For Your Post: |
01-16-2019, 12:16 PM | #7 | |||||||
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Quote:
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"! |
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01-16-2019, 12:41 PM | #8 | ||||||
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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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__________________
"I'm a Setter man. Not because I think they're better than the other breeds, but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture." George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic. |
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The Following User Says Thank You to Dean Romig For Your Post: |
01-16-2019, 07:25 PM | #9 | ||||||
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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.
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers ) "'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy) |
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