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Are hogs hurting woodcock

Posted on 8/20/23 at 5:16 pm
Posted by Sixafan
Member since Aug 2023
579 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 5:16 pm
Hogs love worms
Woodcock really like words and migrate to LA for them.
For the serious woodcock hunters how is the population and hunting these days and so hogs help or hurt?
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
45805 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 5:28 pm to
Bird numbers are down, I think this is more of a function of changes in timber practice in the breeding grounds more than anything.

In Louisiana, most woodcock never see a woodcock hunter. Lots of land was converted into WRP in the last 15 years and a majority of that land is prime woodcock property. I suspect a lot of birds are in this cover unmolested by bird dogs
Posted by Sixafan
Member since Aug 2023
579 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 5:32 pm to
So how does the conversion in to WRP help or hurt.
Posted by SlamNGo
Denham Springs
Member since Sep 2022
26 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:49 pm to
Been hunting them for years. Limit out more times than not. So many places, and rarely see other hunters.

Once you learn an area, it will produce year after year.

Gotta have a good dog though.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
45805 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 10:04 pm to
For a hunters perspective. It hurts because very few woodcock are being hunted on those properties. Access is very limited.
Posted by gerald65
Moss Bluff, LA
Member since Jul 2020
710 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 10:19 pm to
Been scared a few times walking out of the woods after an evening deer hunt. You get within a couple of feet before they take off flying.
Posted by AwgustaDawg
CSRA
Member since Jan 2023
7004 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 12:09 pm to
quote:

Bird numbers are down, I think this is more of a function of changes in timber practice in the breeding grounds more than anything.

In Louisiana, most woodcock never see a woodcock hunter. Lots of land was converted into WRP in the last 15 years and a majority of that land is prime woodcock property. I suspect a lot of birds are in this cover unmolested by bird dogs


I have not seen any numbers but in the case of woodcock I would bet you're right....no matter what the numbers are there is SOOOOOO much cover that is perfect for them in their range that is not hunted that there could be one left or 20 gazillion and other than a small number of hearty fellows who chase the things would ever know. They have always been in tough places to hunt and most people simply will not put forth the effort today...I know I don't see as many as I once did but I also avoid the types of places they hang out like the plague, especially when they'd be migrating in my area.
Posted by LARancher1991
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2015
560 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 3:01 pm to
Habitat is the main reason bird numbers are down. No more native grasslands, hardly anybody burns anymore, and new agricultural practices have really did a number on them. Yea hogs probably play a factor but I think habitat is the main issue.
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