I primarily hunt duck and deer in and around Bowie/Cass areas and have jumped a woodcock here and there over the years but now that I have a versatile dog (Drahthaar) I want to try hunting woodcock. I walked 3 miles yesterday and my pup pointed one bird; which I missed.

I'm not sure if have many woodcock in this area but if we do I don't even know where to look/expect to find birds or even what time of day to go etc.. so I was hoping someone on here could educate me a little bit. I'd really appreciate any tips or suggestions you can provide to get me pointed in the right direction.

And the world stood still. You came to the right place. Help is on the way.

PM sent

Smokey Bear will get you straight. Time of day doesn't matter, but they MAY be closer to edge habitat early morming or right before end of shooting light. If you can go out right at dusk and sit around the edges of thick cover and fields or clearings with nice, soft soil, you can hear them flying out of the cover and making their little "peent" calls. Then you'll know for sure where the birds are. Also look for their splash (chalky white poop stains with some black material in the center). It should be about the size of a half dollar or so. They void their bowels whenever they fly.

Thank you for the replies. I acknowledge that my post is not too far off from asking the duck hunters on which lake they are seeing ducks so I truly do appreciate the info!

I hunt the bottom lands of Cass and they tend to be in the thickest, brushiest areas with briars. The areas with moist soil that stay damp seemed to have the most birds. Also fire roads or timber roads in pine thickets are a good bet. This year has been dry so I have not seen as many. It also has been milder so not sure we have had a strong migration. All I know is when I have a successful hunt I am normally bleeding and arms and face are scratched and clothes are ripped up. I have never hunted them with a dog but by chance found a strong concentration a few years ago and go a couple of times a year to the same area.

Thank again for the tips! Since I was a kid jumping woodcock by accident as I trailed dad through the "deer woods" I've always wanted to get me one. I still remember the first time one flushed in a thicket - We were on the way to a deer stand on public lands and I about came out of my boots but dad didn't even flinch - he just said "woodcock" in a low and slightly frustrated tone. That was over 25 years ago.

Thanks to the tips you guys shared and a dogs nose I have finally bagged a woodcock! Echo pointed several other birds but I'm not yet quick enough on the flush to connect with these zippy birds, all in all this was one of the most rewarding shots on a game animal I've ever made.

Congrats! That photo is worthy of a frame.

That’s a great picture!

Congrats man!

Beautiful DD, and photo, stay after the woodcock they are a sporty little target. Forrest

wgonfan, who is your Drahthaar out of? I’m in Queen City. Woodcock are one of the big reasons I picked up a Drahthaar 6 years ago.

He is Eaton (Echo) VOM Fenco Out of the Flora vom Bornkroog X Grizzly v.d. feldblumenwiese litter . I have been really pleased with him and DDs in general. He had really good showings at the VJP and HZP despite me being a first time handler/trainer and some adverse conditions on test day.

Fenco is in Mt. Pleasant ; PM me if you'd like more info/details/opinions.

I’ve got one of his A-Litter pups actually! I ask because he looks like the female the Fenders kept from the A-Litter. Thought he may be one of her offspring.

I believe that is Andi... she is a looker for sure!