Scouting Woodcock - No Joy

[tom tutwiler]

The fellow who killed 50 pretty much only hunts Woodcock and he hunted them in at least 4 states last year. He eats them all and never shoots a limit of 3. Probably hunted at least 30 days last year in those 4 states. None of those birds go to waste.

He only hunts public land and trust me, he earns them and both he and his dog have the war wounds to show for it. Folks this is a good fellow who puts a lot into the upland sport. He carries a sxs and takes folks who have no dog hunting with him to introduce them to the uplands and bird dogs. One of the least selfish folks I know of.

[Marty K.]

Hello Tom....
The fella you describe sounds like a very accomplished, good shooting, dog loving guy. I really do understand the love and desire to hunt them but 4 states or not I just wouldn’t feel right killing that many .....my desire would be satisfied with quite a few less...but that’s just me. I love to see them year round and I just don’t anymore and that is just to bad.
There used to be flocks of turkey in many fields within 100 miles of me but no more. I am sure its complicated as to why but at first it was one turkey a season then two, then two in two days. Now they are a rare sighting.
Our state has continued issuing multiple permits to deer hunters. Many guys shoot 4-6 deer. I know they love venison but now the sightings and the hunting isn’t what it used to be. That bothers me but I seem to be in the minority these days. Everyone seems to be out to get theirs.
My son and I used to love to go out trout fishing in our local streams and would always catch 4-6 12’’- 16” trout and release them. Do I like to eat fresh trout you bet I do. About 3 or 4 years ago I found out about 3 guys who would go and catch and kill their limit for days and put them in their freezer. They didn’t go to waste but now try to catch a trout in these beautiful streams.
There our guys in our area that duck hunt as I do and actually count and brag about how many they killed. One young guy was talking about 572 ducks he killed this year. I am sorry but I just don’t understand this. I would hope they will mature in time for there to be hunt able populations of anything. Please just my 2 cents. Believe me I have killed my share of game. Enjoy your time afield!