Woodcock observations

[Ed Norman]

This has been a good thread for me to read (especially not hunting for over 40 years) I hunted the first 4 weeks with no beeper at all. I had some good grouse points where the grouse held the first two weeks. The second two weeks, I noticed more grouse were running. The last week or so I have used the beeper again, I don't think my grouse are holding for the beeper, but its also several weeks into the season. Today, I used no beeper at all, and had several grouse points where they all ran. I am wondering if the first couple weeks with little hunting pressure, they are holding better, then as hunting pressure builds, that might cause more running? I barely get a shot as it is even with leaves down but those first two weeks, some grouse held well, but to many leaves for a shot. Today I shot 5 shells and got one woodcock, I think some flight birds have come to our area. I hunted where I don't usually see that many, and there were 5 right along a 2 track in thick poplar slashings.