Gun Dog Forum

Had a good new friend take me out after Woodcock today southwest of Springfield, Missouri. Was only about an hour and a half drive from the house and he wanted to show me the cover so I could chase them around the house. He basically showed me why no one every finds any and we did pretty good. I was thinking I was going to hold him back because I'm limited and having to take it easy because I'm recovering from surgery. I told him, but he said it was no issue and I was totally surprised. We moved nice and slow and he even told me to slow down a few times. Was out for about two hours, covered a total of about 35 acres and we didn't exactly go birdless. Saw 13 (two were just flying through at dusk), killed two (him, not me), got a total of 17 flushes and enjoyed watching the dogs. His Springer was the real star. Cinna did her usual puppy bit and Moxy hunted some, but neither would have known a Woodcock if they'd smelt one so they more or less just got out for a good run this afternoon.

Just FYI, if you're in the eastern half of the US and trying to find more birds, move off the trails and go where the thorns are. You won't regret it!

Just FYI, if you're in the eastern half of the US and trying to find more birds, move off the trails and go where the thorns are. You won't regret it!

This can't be more true. Bagged a couple the other day in some narly thorn patches.

Sounds like it was good experience for you.

For sure, man. I can't get over how much good cover there is right across tje street from my housd and here I am planning trips all over the country to find these kinds of numbers. I bet I pass at least fiveWoodcock an hour when I am out after quail. And I don't inderstand why they are not more sought after by the folks whose hearts are broken from a decline in quail numbers. One thing, though, is that I an going to start taking my old Malinois to flush them out. No way could I get i.to some of that stuff.

We had a great walk but not uncommon in the Ozarks. I went back on Monday afternoon and finally found 4 birds. These birds move through and can be here one day and gone the next. Sometimes they might stay over for a few days. You never know until you go and put a dog in the thickets. It can be a two hour hike with a gun or it can be a two hour walk with a lot of dog/bird action. Always a new adventure.

I took my usual way home tonight and couldn't believe the great cover I was passing. One especially good looking section is in a river bottom with tall trees and more tangle than a Setter's coat in a briar patch! Gonna get a map and see who owns it.

Drop me a pm and we'll get together and go hunting if you want stone. I am going to try and get out some over the next couple days. Scott