Woodcock / Timberdoodle...Manitoba ...2012?

[Crappieguy]

Interested in how Manitoba hunters did woodcock hunting in 2012. Never saw any .. No idea how you hunt a bird like this that moves in and out like a ghost. Thoughts and / or experience would be welcome input.

 

[prevost12]

I was curious about this also. I've only seen one a couple of times and never with a gun in hand.

 

[badgreenbird]

Can't help with Manitoba... but when I lived in New Brunswick and didn't have a dog, it was possible to bumble around in the alders or poplars and occasionally flush a few. But I got most woodcock by going out to old gravel pits just before dusk, and waiting. It helps if the surrounding cover includes alder or aspen/poplar, but it isn't required. I know, it sounds like snipe hunting with a sack & flashlight, but I swear it works! I didn't believe it at first, but over the years I got quite a pile of woodcock this way. The advantage of being in the old pits is that you can hear them coming (wings make a distinctive whistle) and see them in the open. Woodcock actually fly pretty slowly. I remember missing one with both barrels, then reloading and getting it on the 3rd shot!

Otherwise, go with someone who has a good dog. Again, alder or aspen cover is best.

 

[Crappieguy]

I've got a good ruffie and sharptail pointer ....just don[t know where or when to go looking for them. Will try the gravel pits. Thx

 

[souwest_ghillie]

You'll find woodcock in alder swales or young stands of poplar(no more than 6 or 8 ft high usually). Alder swales is usually great hunting for resident birds as the ground is usually moist in these areas and the birds will be able to find/prod for earthworms in the soft ground hence should hold a number of birds. The stands of poplar more during later in the season for migrating birds as it's easier for them to settle into in low light. If you're seeing them flying over a gravel pit they had to lift from an area close by like I described where they are feeding and resting......that's where you and your dog should be. In the fall, migrating woodcock travel at night......they settle into cover at dawn then lite at dusk to continue they're journey south.

 

[Longwalker]

I actually saw a woodcock last September in Saskatchewan. It was about 50 Km from the MB border, a very unusual sighting. I was hunting grouse at the time with my buddy who is a biologist. He informed me that they were having a season in Manitoba for the first time, makes me curious to give them a try. My Pudelpointer was mildly interested in it, but didn't really know what it was of course.