Woodcock

[40UP]

Took two consecutive woodcock on an identical flight line whilst waiting for pheasant on Tuesday in Cumbria. Unfortunately reloading in between using Supreme ZZ 7s. Long time before I forget it.

 

[Hawkeye]

Had a ringed bird a few week's ago, any more been shot?

found out it had been ringed in the Czech Republic

 

[wylye]

We have an agreement in our syndicate in that we never shoot them - and there are lots around. We raise our caps to them instead. Can't say that I mind much really. Long way from Russia.

 

[40UP]

Years since I'd shot one, we'd done the 50yd partridge and had one drive left for grouse on the moor when the mist swirled in. Deflowered several Grouse virgins.

 

[Salopian]

I think it would be a good thing to include in the pre-shoot briefing a question.

"Does anyone eat Woodcock?" If the answer is No, then why shoot such a beautiful bird?

I used to shoot lots of Woodcock, did many Rights & Lefts. Then suddenly disliked shooting them, then last season got into them again.

But I do have to say that once again I am not happy shooting them, I far prefer to marvel at their beauty and watch their jinking flight.

If you don't want to eat them or display them, leave them alone please.

 

[jake.keeling]

I agree with your sentiments Salopian. I am out this morning on a specialist Woodcock day and we usually see more than a few majestically flying on or nipping out the back of cover, any in the bag are a prize to cherish and yes I wouldn't dream of not eating them.

 

[MARK-POACHER]

out shooting today at ramsbury manor, only shoot twice a year here and all wild birds and some on loan !!!!!!!   lovely woodland and woodcock inevery drive, only shot two and i shot one off them on last drive.plenty off people wanting to take them for tea too,   

 

[sibaldib]

I was a walking gun on a few drives last Saturday.

On one, the beaters flushed two woodcock, which both came down the side of the wood towards me. I dropped my gun and just watched these two beautiful birds in flight, not 10 yards from me.

The cock pheasant that tried the same thing a minute later was not so lucky!

 

[Keyboard Warrior]

I took this photo of my spaniel and woodcock he retrieved on a shoot in north wales , ive seen many woodcock the last few days whilst rough shooting and flighting but i leave them to carry on with there secretive business.

Beautiful birds

 

[Fuzrat]

Not seen many around our neck of the woods, plenty of snipe by the river but I think I've only seen 2 on our shoot and 1 on Saturday in Hampshire. Maybe not cold enough and too wet for them???

I will take one if I've seen a few about, wonderful eating! we shot a brace boxing day 2011 and had them as our starter for new years dinner. Cant quite bring myself to leave the guts in, but fantastic pan roasted on some toasted ciabatta with a port and balsamic reduction

 

[ExSCA]

I saw a beautiful woodcock on Saturday - just as I was getting my gun out of its slip, this beauty whistled past my left ear.... lovely stuff.

 

[Clanchief]

I have more Woodcock on my ground than Pheasants, I just need more dogs and a couple of body's either side of the gorse as we walk it up.

 

[ExSCA]

Shall I book a minibus up?

 

[Jeremy Baker]

Shall I book a minibus up?

I'll drive

 

[Fuzrat]

I have a bus    :lol:

 

[ianmaney]

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round......................

 

[Fuzrat]

Dont you start! I get enough of that from the kids going to nursery  :lol:

 

[Maxum]

I'm in. Got 3 dogs as well )

 

[Salopian]

I'll get my kilt pressed.

 

[RobertBeard]

I'll brush up on my sign language