beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Been & grouse & woodcock fan since the late 60's ... and I DO like to eat Woodcock ... especially BBQ'd ... hunted mostly southern Ontario and a little into Quebec, but would love to give southern NB and Maine a whirl, as well as the Louisiana wintering grounds. Iv'e used everything from .410 to 12, but find an open bored 20 or 28 to be to my liking, particularly because grouse
and woodcock are typically hunted here together - in the same habitat.
8's have always worked well for me, and have used 9's (standard Skeet loads) on occasion. Woodcock tend to hold very well for pointing dogs ... even more so than grouse. Some dogs will refuse to retrieve them ... although I've not owned one who didn't. ... not much of a "mouthful'" for a big setter... just a head & bill stickin' out to one side !!! "Local" birds around from the September 20th opening a little further up ... but leaf cover can be problematic. Migrants start ot show up typically around the 10-15th of October and often "peak" in the 3rd week. By Deer season (first full week in November - and usually a "hard frost" or two) they're "gone south" . Great little game birds.
and woodcock are typically hunted here together - in the same habitat.
8's have always worked well for me, and have used 9's (standard Skeet loads) on occasion. Woodcock tend to hold very well for pointing dogs ... even more so than grouse. Some dogs will refuse to retrieve them ... although I've not owned one who didn't. ... not much of a "mouthful'" for a big setter... just a head & bill stickin' out to one side !!! "Local" birds around from the September 20th opening a little further up ... but leaf cover can be problematic. Migrants start ot show up typically around the 10-15th of October and often "peak" in the 3rd week. By Deer season (first full week in November - and usually a "hard frost" or two) they're "gone south" . Great little game birds.
