The King & Rooster have been woodcock hunting since the fall of 1996.  Due to the similarity in preferred habitat, almost all of the the K&R woodcock hunting occurs while also grouse hunting.  It was, in fact, during a grouse hunt that we first stumbled upon a mess of "timberdoodles" (an affection slang term for woodcock).  However, over time, we have learned the some of the subtle distinctions that make an area especially attractive to woodcock.  Generally, areas that offer a combination of thick tangle and moist, accessible soil will offer the best chance to flush a doodle.

In West Virginia, as in all areas, woodcock numbers have plummeted over the past few decades.  This is due to mainly two factors: a loss of habitat due to man's endless encroachment and the moratorium on all clear-cutting.  For this reason, finding some doodles is getting harder and harder every year.  What we try to do is identify the best possible woodcock spots during our hunts/recons around the state and then, prior to the first hard freeze after the season opening, hit the areas in the hope of finding some birds.  This method has produced 11 woodcock in our hunting history.

One woodcock, two, three, ten, twenty, all busting out of cover you can hardly walk through.   Each one popping up out of the underbrush as if blown out with compressed air, only to dart off quickly into a bunch of conifers.  The shots are ringing out, the dog is thrashing through the briars pointing out downed doodles.  When its over your heart is pounding and you just can't stop smiling.  It may not happen very often, but coming across a mess of woodcock might just be the most exciting hunting experience one can have.  And back at home, cooking slowly, and with some good brew, they are definitely one of the best tasting.  The woodcock is everything an upland bird hunter could want - beautiful, brazen, challenging, and a great eat.

In the early spring of 1998, the King got an English Setter and christened her Timber.  Bred as a bird dog, we spent the summer anticipating the endless points we would shoot over in the fall.  Perhaps putting too much pressure on her too fast and definitely expecting too much out of a growing puppy, we quickly came to find out that Timber's performance was to be a hunt-to-hunt patchwork of awe-inspiring points and frustrating horseplay.  But a maturing dog, maturing hunters, and a dedicated owner have allowed us over time to integrate Timber into a hunting style that now utilizes the strong points of this unique dog.  This has produced some of the most magnificent moments we have had afield.  The process of a point, shoot, and retrieve with a good dog is a truly noble experience. 

10.25.97

The King with a trifecta of woodcock taken in the early days.  It was our first real successful wing shooting experience.

10.25.97

The Rooster with a shot of the doodles.  The early gear choices - in this case the blue sweatshirt - always bring a laugh.  

2002

11.01.02

The Rooster with a woodcock taken in the area discovered in 2001.  The area is the perfect combination of thick tangle and moist, exposed ground.

11.09.02

The King with a portrait style shot of the woodcock and the weapons used to bring them down.  An view of the density of the brush can seen in the background.  

11.09.02

A close-up shot of a woodcock.  Note the long beak used to pick bugs and worms out of the moist soil.

5.07.04

Woodcock wrapped in bacon and hot peppers.  It is a creation of the King that makes a perfect appetizer for a meal of duck.