Timber Doodling

Morning was gray and wet, but that's perfect for hunting woodcock. No trucks parked in our chosen spot so we had the area to ourselves.  Splashed our way off the road into the perfect habitat - 2"-4" saplings, blackberry tangles, grass and reeds, and most importantly, boggy sloppy ground.

We knew we were in to birds because of all of the sign -noodling marks in the mud and "splash" but decided not to include a photo of upland poop for once. 

Couple of old adages about hunting woodcock. .. if you're not moving trees and brush out of the way with your arms, wracking your gun barrel against a tree as you swing, or struggling to walk due to the mud, vines, and tangles, you're probably not hunting in the right spot.

Always hoping for the "magic bb" to actually reach the birds in thick stuff like this. 

 But the mojo was working and the birds were there.  Final tally was we moved 15, shot at 11, and bagged 3, a stellar day in any timberdoodler's career, much less on his first hunt ever. Guess Wade just picked the right wing man.

Please,  no photos.