Wood cock???

[huntingman]

I have heard very little about these birds, and saw that indiana has a hunting season for them, does anyone here hunt them??? i know nothing about them except that their migratory and small, any tips or suggestions for a first time woodcock hunter??

[Boilermaker]

I've run across a few while quail hunting and have had the luck to knock one down. Careful not shoot one out of season; luckily the quail and woodcock seasons overlap and you'll need all the migratory stamps and HIP number required here in Indiana. Look in wet areas of crop fields along fence rows or even in woods with a "swampy" atmosphere. They like the damp areas which are best for picking grubs/bugs i believe. Be quick on the trigger though, these birds are FAST! They'll be gone quicker than you think. It doesn't take a lot to knock one down; i'd say a 20 guage high-brass 7.5 shot would do the trick no problem. They are a neat looking bird with the long beaks and are all dark meat (typical migratory bird). If you have a bird dog be sure and bring it along but make sure he/she is a close hunter; woodcock are pretty timid and will fly as soon as something spooks them. You'll know a woodcock when he gets up because it'll make a whistling/chirping sound. Also, they travel in pairs during migration so always know when there's one you'll likely find another. Good luck and let me know if you have any success.

[hornharvester]

They are a migratory bird and start flying around the last of Sept to middle of Oct and that depends on where you live. They fly at night and go up right at dark. If you want to see if they are in an area be there right before dark and watch the sky. Ive found them here in Indiana in willows along water.

Ive killed a few hundred of them over the years in UP of Michigan. Season bag up there use to be 5 a day but they lowered it to 3 a day about 10 years ago.

The meat is dark and taste to me like dove.

They actually sit real tight most of the time and go up right under your feet. Ive seen them sit 2 foot off my Brits nose as she pointed them. They dart through trees with ease. Since they are a migratory bird make sure you got a plug in your gun. Good luck, h.h.

[featherduster]

You are referring to TIMBER DOODLES as I call them.
My experience with them is they like young forested areas (new growth)with moist soils, they can be spotted taking flight in the last seconds of daylight.
I do not hunt them but just about every year the wife and I will spot one taking off right at dark from our marsh.

[mitchb]

I love hunting them!! We had 6 flushes last year and I was lucky enough to get 2, one which is on the wall. Make sure you have a good dog because if you get one you will probably not find it if you don't have a dog.