Wilson snipe

[Popcorn]

Anyone seeing greater numbers? I am seeing 2 to 3 x's as many as normal. Fluke or a good thing?

 

[Biggun4214]

Northern migration?

 

[Mattt]

Normal thing in our area. Usually have a bunch. Has your habitat changes any time better suit them?

 

[TboneD]

That's great if they're flourishing!

I have such fond memories snipe hunting in the marsh behind our house growing up on the MS gulf coast. Not much to eat on em but if you like dove you'll love a snipe. Legend is that back in the day someone in a restaurant got shot over not preparing em right.

 

[RoyalPrudent]

One of the most sporting birds flying. I've seen some, but never too many.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

a lot more snipe than woodcock, unfortunately...

 

[MickThompson]

I've got to make a point of chasing snipe next season. Woodcock numbers were pretty good for me down here this past season too.

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

We used to hunt 'em when I was a kid. I always got left holdin' the bag.

 

[Popcorn]

I've got to make a point of chasing snipe next season. Woodcock numbers were pretty good for me down here this past season too.

That's good news! I only ever saw 1 woodcock in the Cookeville area and hunted it for years. That one was north of town in Jackson county, near the boils WMA 25 years ago or so

 

[Wooden Arrow]

That's good news! I only ever saw 1 woodcock in the Cookeville area and hunted it for years. That one was north of town in Jackson county, near the boils WMA 25 years ago or so

used to bump nesting woodcock on Catoosa now and then while turkey hunting. mama would give us the old "broken wing" distraction trick.

 

[GUNNERX2]

Use to hunt woodcock hard back in the late 70s. I had a pretty good bird dog and he was death on them, didn't want to retrieve them but he would point dead. TWRA was trying to figure out how many people were hunting them and required a free permit. I had #7. Thanksgiving weekend was when they started showing up in southern middle TN. I had a half dozen spots that I could count on limiting out (5) along with a fair number of quail.

 

[tellico4x4]

Use to get a few incidentals while bird hunting. My setter would point them and go to where they fell and stand there. Guess they tasted bad . She was great retrieving quail and even doves, but not woodcock.

 

[Lt.Dan]

Never seen a Snipe or a Woodcock. But I have shot a few Grouse up north. Tastiest bird I've ever eaten.

 

[TheLBLman]

Use to get a few incidentals while bird hunting. My setter would point them and go to where they fell and stand there. Guess they tasted bad . She was great retrieving quail and even doves, but not woodcock.

Same here.
Apparently, woodcock have a bitter smell or taste beyond that of a dove.
I never had a dog that would retrieve them, yet some would pick up a dove.

As an aside, not all the woodcock are migratory. I've had them successfully nest in TN, seen them do their "dance", momma woodcock leading the babies. First time I saw that, I didn't even realize it was birds, just didn't know what in the heck was making all those movements.

 

[themanpcl]

Anyone seeing greater numbers? I am seeing 2 to 3 x's as many as normal. Fluke or a good thing?

I'm still looking for the snipes they sent me to the woods to find on our boy scout camporee's...lol

 

[Wade195]

I'm still looking for the snipes they sent me to the woods to find on our boy scout camporee's...lol

Mine was similar.

I got put out in the woods after dark with a paper bag. I was told to open it up, hold it to the ground while flipping the bag. When the snipe ran in I was to close it.

It took me about an hour alone in our woods with no flashlight before I headed started back. I met my mom on the way back. She had come looking for me.

My dad and neighbors were in the garage waiting. I was told momma Wade gave them all a good what for.

 

[Popcorn]

We did that to a cousin many years ago on a dark rainy night, he panicked and ran screaming off toward a distant older couples house who were terrified that some one was being killed and called the sheriff's office. We found him and got him home. My aunt cut a switch and wore it out on 3 of us.
That kid still ain't right

 

[MickThompson]

Same here.
Apparently, woodcock have a bitter smell or taste beyond that of a dove.
I never had a dog that would retrieve them, yet some would pick up a dove.

As an aside, not all the woodcock are migratory. I've had them successfully nest in TN, seen them do their "dance", momma woodcock leading the babies. First time I saw that, I didn't even realize it was birds, just didn't know what in the heck was making all those movements.

I flushed one a few weeks ago in White County.

My dogs have never complained about fetching one up, but I have hunted with others that were content for my dogs to do the fetching for them too. They may be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Same here.
Apparently, woodcock have a bitter smell or taste beyond that of a dove.
I never had a dog that would retrieve them, yet some would pick up a dove.

As an aside, not all the woodcock are migratory. I've had them successfully nest in TN, seen them do their "dance", momma woodcock leading the babies. First time I saw that, I didn't even realize it was birds, just didn't know what in the heck was making all those movements.

I flushed a few this spring while turkey hunting.

To me, it seems that their numbers are growing, in middle TN. But, I've only lived here 5 years and may only be exploring areas they've always been.

 

[TheLBLman]

View attachment 230495

I flushed a few this spring while turkey hunting.

I believe they are starting to nest more in TN, rather than be totally migratory.
Can't say that I'm seeing many more, but am seeing them periodically.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

I flushed a few this spring while turkey hunting.

i've flushed hens off of their nests in Alabama before while turkey hunting...