- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Getting into woodcock hunting
Posted on 12/28/23 at 5:10 pm
Posted on 12/28/23 at 5:10 pm
I ran into some woodcock hunters yesterday while on some public and it really peaked my interest. It’s the only game that LA has to offer that I haven’t killed and have been wanting to for a while now but just never had the chance. I really enjoy upland hunting and from what I’ve learned so far, they are pretty challenging to hunt.
I know there are some guys here that go after them with dogs and I was going to see if anyone would let me tag along sometime soon to see what it’s about. Hell, I have a place that I’ve seen some in the past that I I’ve just never tried because I don’t know anybody with a good dog. Any advice or direction is appreciated.
I know there are some guys here that go after them with dogs and I was going to see if anyone would let me tag along sometime soon to see what it’s about. Hell, I have a place that I’ve seen some in the past that I I’ve just never tried because I don’t know anybody with a good dog. Any advice or direction is appreciated.
8
Posted on 12/28/23 at 8:35 pm to keyboard_warrior9
I’ve never hunted woodcock but I’ve always wanted to I’ll tag along 
I’ve heard of there being some in D’arbonne NWR near the northern part of the bayou.
I’ve heard of there being some in D’arbonne NWR near the northern part of the bayou. 
Posted on 12/28/23 at 8:56 pm to WM_Tiger
One of me best hunts in the modern era was there
Posted on 12/28/23 at 8:56 pm to keyboard_warrior9
I know absolutely nothing about woodcock hunting. Y’all use a 20 gauge?
Posted on 12/28/23 at 9:02 pm to keyboard_warrior9
My friend Dan took this w his iPhone a few weeks ago in Kistachi forest. Ran across the trail and stopped for a pic.
Those birds blend in well.
Posted on 12/28/23 at 9:14 pm to biglego
28, 20 16 or 12(on rare occasions)
Posted on 12/28/23 at 9:27 pm to SenseiBuddy
They look almost identical to a snipe but bigger. Those bastards are hard to find in a dirt field so I’d hate to know what finding a dead woodcock in a leafy forest is like
Posted on 12/29/23 at 1:09 am to keyboard_warrior9
I used to hunt them with an old man that had some pointers. That is huge fun. I still see them in North La. but usually they're gone about opening weekend.
Posted on 12/29/23 at 7:20 am to keyboard_warrior9
There seems to be a few of us on here. I recently got into it with in the last 5 years because I got a dog. Now I have 2 dogs and love to chase them.
What part of the state are you in?
What part of the state are you in?
Posted on 12/29/23 at 7:23 am to yodaddyroberto
BR, but I’m willing to go wherever. My place isn’t far from home though
Posted on 12/29/23 at 8:05 am to keyboard_warrior9
Feel free to shoot an email (@gmail.com).
If we can't set something up, I'm sure someone else here can get you on some!
Season runs from December 18 - January 31st. Unfortunately, it runs during deer season, so lots of private land owners don't like dogs running around.
Did the people you run into find any birds?
If we can't set something up, I'm sure someone else here can get you on some!
Season runs from December 18 - January 31st. Unfortunately, it runs during deer season, so lots of private land owners don't like dogs running around.
Did the people you run into find any birds?
Posted on 12/29/23 at 8:38 am to yodaddyroberto
quote:If they did they didn't admit it
Did the people you run into find any birds?
If your new to woodcock hunting, go scout an area at sunrise and sunset - sunrise you will see where they are coming from feeding at night to where they will spend the day and vice versa at sunset.
If you aint seeing them at those times area does not have woodcock.
From 1980s through 2010 sherburne and indian bayou were some of the best woodcock habitat in the south. But much of what was prime then is far too old now and there are significantly less birds there now.
by and large North La(above ellic) has far better habitat and many more woodock even late in the season. WHere you see them in a particular area may change slightly once they arrive but they really don't leave and go far unless outlier weather patterns happen(prolonged hard freezes, snow or VERY heavy sustained rain and prolonged drought - which is affecting them big time this year - few worms in many places).
Early in the morning they are harder for dogs to find - I rarely chase them before 830 am - once they start moving after their dawn flights. The best time I have found since I started chasing them is from 3:30 till sunset as they are usually in more open cover and closer to edges of wood lines. and shooting them after legal sunset is illegal just like ducks. Speaking of which I'm off to chase some now.
This post was edited on 12/29/23 at 8:50 am
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:04 am to choupiquesushi
I just ran into them at a trail head and didn’t want to be that guy who interrogates everyone as they get to their trucks. He did mention that this year has been really tough though. I was scouting for ducks and didn’t find a drop of water so I figured it had to be related to the drought as well
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:10 am to choupiquesushi
quote:
If they did they didn't admit it
Yea...everyone is so secretive. I got blasted for saying a general area a week ago (not on here). I get it, but part of hunting for me is also helping new hunters. I didn't get much help when I first started woodcock hunting. The ones that did point me in the right direction, I keep in touch with and give them reports.
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:14 am to keyboard_warrior9
You can just walk them up. Alot harder than with a dog, but you can do it. Use an improved cylinder.
Also, they fly out about 15 minutes after legal shooting time, to feed in the fields at night on worms. Visible if you can stand while looking west.
They really migrate when if freezes up north. They will move back north after the thaw on the next full moon.
The females are alot bigger than the males.
Also, they fly out about 15 minutes after legal shooting time, to feed in the fields at night on worms. Visible if you can stand while looking west.
They really migrate when if freezes up north. They will move back north after the thaw on the next full moon.
The females are alot bigger than the males.
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:33 am to yodaddyroberto
PM sent
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:35 am to keyboard_warrior9
I thought this thread was about something else
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:41 am to keyboard_warrior9
My uncle always kept dogs. We would hunt the Mississippi River levee. Dogs worked the woods and we would line up and follow.
We did really well for years, then it just stopped. Birds didn't come down anymore. I heard different things. We finally gave up when his ole dog died.
This was in the late eighties to mid nineties so things may be back to normal.
By far the most fun I have ever had hunting. Your moving, can talk , get to shoot, watch the dogs work. Great times.
We did really well for years, then it just stopped. Birds didn't come down anymore. I heard different things. We finally gave up when his ole dog died.
This was in the late eighties to mid nineties so things may be back to normal.
By far the most fun I have ever had hunting. Your moving, can talk , get to shoot, watch the dogs work. Great times.
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:45 am to yodaddyroberto
I can’t stand the overly secretive bullshite. Completely goes against everything hunting should be.
I will be back out at Ramsey this afternoon looking for them. Will likely hit the south side today.
I will be back out at Ramsey this afternoon looking for them. Will likely hit the south side today.
Posted on 12/29/23 at 9:52 am to lsupride87
quote:bullshite. Loose lips sink ships, and results in boo-coo e-biking, cross bowing/tree topping mouth breathers at your “spot”.
I can’t stand the overly secretive bullshite. Completely goes against everything hunting should be.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News