Woodcock Migration

[DanH]

Anyone seeing Timberdoodles coming thru?

[tybo]

I'm not sure they'll start migrating yet. I think that's a little later in the year. I know it's been cold a few places already but I don;t think they'd start movingg yet but I may be wrong. I flushed some residents birds W of the Cities a few weeks ago. Some were way to small to have migrated already.

[CANOPY SAM]

Not exactly sure when they start, but it won't be too long. I'm anxious too, but it's still a little early. Think we have to get a few decent frosts up north first.

Saw a small birch tree turning yellow today!

[Matt Breuer]

The large push isn't for awhile yet, but the number of local birds in NW MN is staggering. I've been seeing 25+ every trip out of woods in the evenings up north. Around here in Bemidji, the numbers look solid as well.

[tybo]

Matt, I don't believe those numbers. I am gloing to need to get some GPS coordinates and verify those bird counts. It's a shame we have to wait a week after the grouse opener to pull the trigger on some doodles. I know its a federal regulated bird I just wish they could open at the same time. It was nice having them open on the same day. It sucks to get that first point of the year and have a WC lift off through the alders and have to watch it fly away. One week away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CANOPY SAM]

Do you guys hunt in all this heavy green? I generally wait until the leaves are coming down.

[tybo]

Yes I do!! Part of it is just the tradition of getting out on opener. It looks like the weather will be a little more tolerable this year. Last year it was WAY TOO Hot!! I have a new pup I want to run in the woods. May run him in some Woodcock covers to help him get him some experience. I really hope to find some young birds for the little guy.

[Matt Breuer]

Last year was brutally hot. We had to leave the dogs in the truck on several walks. It sucked. It was awesome having woodcock and grouse open on the same day though. We had woodcock limits and ruffies mixed in. Always a good day when you can kick lead like that.

I ALWAYS hunt hard around opener and through Sept. Many people wait for the foliage to drop, but the birds seem to hold far better with thick cover. I'd rather shoot 10 yards through the leaves at a bird I kicked than shoot 30 yards at a bob-and-weave bird that ran and jumped. If the season's open, I'm in the woods.