As the old year changes into the new, many of us have our ‘must do’ list for the year ahead. Hunting woodcock is near the top of my list for this year and since the season ends this month, I have about four weeks to achieve my goal. Since I was a youngster, I’ve been tantalized by these wary little upland game birds.

Chances are pretty good that if you’re a native Texas that cut his teeth shooting quail, dove, ducks and geese, you’ve paid little attention to the elusive little woodcock. But, chances are also very good that you have had brief encounters with them! They are the little bird you almost stepped while walking to your deer stand in the pre dawn darkness; the same feathered apparition that you have flushed on countless occasions while walking along a muddy shoreline to your duck blind! They fly straight up in a corkscrew fashion and are one of the most challenging of upland birds to bag -- so I’m told! I’ve never shot one but that is about to change!  

Last year on a late season bow hunt, I walked within 15 feet of a woodcock male. He was setting on the ground in the edge of a little patch of woods adjacent a clearing. Quail are all but non-existent in most areas where I hunt. It was comforting to see this migrant upland bird occupying the same type cover where I used to hunt Mr. Bobwhite.  

It’s been tough getting my hunting buddies fired up on hunting woodcock, but I’m committed. I’ve done my homework and have some #8 shot and my little 20 gauge over/under at the ready! I’ve learned to locate their ‘splats’ of white droppings. I’ve located several areas with plenty of these ‘whitewashed’ areas on the ground; I’ve even flushed a couple of birds during my brief scouting forays. I’ll probably do my woodcock hunting solo this year but I hope to make some converts! 

Woodcock season runs through the end of this month. These little birds are fine eating and one of the most challenging of all upland birds to hunt.

Woodcock are classified as upland birds and bird dogs will point them but, like the dove, they are migratory. In the New England states, they have long been the favored upland bird, but, because Texas is about as far as they migrate, hunting them has never become popular here and… that’s a shame! 

At peak times during their migration, their numbers are high. If you look closely at the woodcock, it’s pretty easy to determine how he makes his living. His long bill is designed perfectly for probing in the soft earth for earthworms, which comprises the lion’s share of his diet. 

Mr. woodcock sits tight before flushing. I’ve almost stepped on them on several occasions but when they do break from cover, they do so with the intensity of a Roman candle! We’d better be prepared to mount our shotguns and swing fast when we attempt to down our first ‘timberdoodle’, a nickname that Northeasterners have given the woodcock.

From all that I’ve read, woodcock seek the shade and cover of heavy brush and thickets during mid day and venture forth to look for earthworms during early morning and late afternoon. I’m planning on wearing my high top Red Head boots and getting into the thick of things on my first  hunt. I’m also planning on doing a great deal of walking. The hunt won’t be easy without a pointer and setter with woodcock hunting savvy but the challenge will be worth the effort!

Woodcock are not ‘covey’ birds like quail. They are often found in singles or pairs, thus the necessity for  covering lots of ground when hunting them. The biggest challenge to ‘walking up’ woodcock without the benefit of a pointer is being constantly prepared for that fleeting opportunity when the bird flushes. A woodcock hunter has to be ‘wired and ready’ when he does encounter one of these little brown bombshells! Taking aim and figuring the proper lead on its erratic corkscrew flight pattern is the obviously one of the biggest challenges to upland bird hunting.

Biologists tell us that woodcock migrate just ahead of major winter storms; they cannot probe frozen earth in search of earthworms. They fly at treetop level during their migration, at 20-25 mph.  By early January, the eastern portion of the state usually has a healthy population.

Although biologists have long believed that woodcock court, nest and raise their broods almost exclusively in the north, there is evidence that some of the birds nest here in Texas. Courtship usually begins in January, and full clutches have been observed on the ground in February. It appears there has been a shift in breeding areas in recent decades.  Logging practices in eastern Texas has created ideal nesting and chick rearing areas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and TPWD ended February hunting because of the likelihood of local nesting.

It’s doubtful that the woodcock will every be as popular with Texas hunters as quail but, barring a dramatic comeback by Gentleman Bob, woodcock seem to possess everything necessary for an exciting upland shoot. They hold tight for birddogs, are challenging (if not next to impossible) to hit and tasty in the skillet when prepared properly. I’m pumped about hunting them this month and when I enjoy a successful hunt or two, promise to follow up with a first hand account of the action! 

Hopefully, a bit of my enthusiasm for this great little game bird might rub off and you’ll be planning your own hunt. I’ve chosen a recipe for preparing my harvest that sounds scrumptious. File this article and cooking method away and let’s compare notes after our woodcock hunt!

ROAST WOODCOCK

4 Woodcock
Salt; to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper; to taste
4 tablespoons Butter
4 pinches Dried marjoram or thyme; (generous pinches)
4 slices Bacon

Directions:
Sprinkle birds inside and out with salt and pepper. Put 1 tablespoon butter with 1 pinch of herb in each cavity. Wrap each breast with bacon and tie it on. Put on a rack in a roaster and roast at 400 degrees, basting frequently with melted butter, until tender. If they are plump birds, it should take 20 to 25 minutes.

This recipe yields 1 serving.

Listen to Outdoors with Luke Clayton on the radio at www.catfishradio.com. Email Luke with fishing and hunting news from your area at lukeclayton@prodigy.net