Another orange-clad
hunter was just
emerging from his vehicle as I got to my parking spot. We exchanged
greetings as I let Gus, my big English setter out of the pick-up.
It was obvious the other hunter was after squirrels as he uncased
a .22 rifle and there was no dog in sight.
He began to walk across the road into an open woods. Turning
back he shook his head from side to side, rather sympathetically,
I thought, and his wry grin confirmed it.
I muttered something to Gus, like "to each his own,"
as we tackled the jungle on the other side of the road. Within
minutes, I was feeling sorry for the squirrel hunter.
All I could do was shoulder my Mossberg semi-auto 12-gauge, swing
it toward a small opening in the dense overhead foliage and hope
for the best. Darned if that local woodcock didn't make the mistake
of flying through that opening. Down it went in a shower of feathers
as somehow my snap shot of light 7 1/2's caught up with it.
Gus made his first retrieve of the new season. What a gorgeous
bird it was. Of course, they all are, but somehow that first
one of the year is very special. I let Gus have a real nose fun
and gently stroked the small cockbird before slipping it into
my game pouch. |
I knew the bird was there, of course. Gus'
bell had suddenly stopped only yards away. I could just make
out parts of him in the green understory as I moved his way.
He was definitely into a rock solid point as if the bird was
almost between his front feet. Yes, I was ready for the flush
when it came. That is, I was as ready as you can be under the
circumstances.
It was mid-September, the first day of Michigan's woodcock season.
The trees, lowland brush and ground vegetation did not seem to
realize fall was imminent. Hardly a hint of any color. Visibility
was poor at best. One doesn't have to be nuts to hunt woodcock
that way, but it helps. The other hunter's sympathy was understandable.
In most northern states, the woodcock opener is quite early.
It's the first real upland bird hunting option for most of us.
And who can  |
wait until the leaves start falling? Not
me for sure. My fishing gear has been stored for the season.
My dog has been worked at least enough to have some muscle tone.
It's time for any serious bird hunter, nuts or not, to get going.
Early season woodcock hunting has its special challenges because
of all the vegetation. Yet, it can be productive. Here are a
few hints on how to minimize the frustration and maximize the
productivity.
A well-disciplined, well-trained, close-working bird dog is essential.
How you acquire such a dog and/or train it to be such a helpful
companion is a separate subject which I will not address in this
article. But, be assured, early season woodcock hunting is total
futility without one. If you don't have a dog, you best become
good friends with someone who does. Otherwise, squirrel season
also opens about the same time.
I am extremely partial to pointing breeds. Your early season
shots will almost always be toughies. With a pointing dog you
can at least anticipate the flush and be more ready to shoot.
You have some chance to maneuver into position as long as the
bird holds. Overall, your odds increase dramatically when you
can anticipate a possible opportunity. A flushing dog is better
than none at all, but in my opinion, a pointer gets the |
