Hit the bush for a mixed bag!

The night was October the 20th. Mike and Steve and I left the base of Steady Point Huntin' in Berks County at about 8:30 PM. We had a sum what short trip up to Hittle's Half-A-Hill. We met my friend, Jesse, at Strievig's. The closed sign was not a welcome sight. Although Jesse's truck with a anxious English Setter in the bed, was sitting in front of the closed bar. I made a quiet entry into the bar and there seated at the bar, looking at an empty beer mug, was Jesse. We exchanged greetings and proceeded to Hittle's Half-A-Hill for a few cold frosty beverages and wait for AceArcher to arrive. Ace got there and we hit the rack for a early morning of grouse and woodcock hunting.

The morning arrived early. We had a hearty breakfast of venison sausage, scrapple and eggs. Our drive started up the mountain. We hit the CC Road and we were on for our 7 mile ride up the mountain. I ended the drive to the sweet spot with a word of caution to my hunters. I had killed a great number of birds on that hill. The push began and we were greeted with a flush from a American Woodcock. As I was not carrying a gun, I watched in wonder as the bird flew past me. Hoping, waiting for Mike to take his first woodcock. The shot was fired by Ace but the bird just landed unscathed.

Mike and Ace moved in for a re flush, aided by the Steady Point Pointers. The Timber doodle erupted and shots fired without a fallen bird. We checked the area for 5 minutes without the bird. We moved to the next covert without a point or flush. Since we were under a time constraint, we made our way down the CC Road for the next Covert. We arrived 30 minutes later and the dogs firsts hit ground scent from the road. About two minutes later a brace of birds erupted. One flew straight away and the second committed suicide in front of Mike. Mike made two quick shots with his Wingmaster and the bird fell, wounded. The bird must have been stunned and not fatally wounded, as the pups could not locate the bird.

We proceeded down the hill and the action began. First, Jesse called out that Steady Point's Ticket was running a large Cockbird. Myself and Steve witnessed this and the sight was awe inspiring. Briar was called back and she pinned the bird. The Pheasant erupted in front of us, but lucky for him, he was out of season. We watched the animal fly down the line of egar hunters. The tail on that cockbird was as long as my arm. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to watch a beautiful rooster fly away without a shot!

We pushed on after a ton of laughs as Ace got stuck on the other side of Lake John, without a way out. Soon after Ace made his journey back from across the lake, Dallas, Jesse's English Pointer, locked up on another brace of grouse. He was backed by Ticket and the flush happened with two birds going down with one shot. Unfortunately the second bird was not located, so we hope that he has recovered. Jesse gladly held his first PA ruff!

Next Dallas went on point again not far from there and Jesse was hot. He hit his second PA Woodcock. The push continued with a running bird in front of Ticket and Briar. The bird flushed at a power line edge, where Steve was walking. No shot was taken, as Steve couldn't ID the bird. Couldn't blame him, as a new hunter for hesitating.

As we discussed Steve's hesitation, Jesse and Dallas forced a wild flush from a hardy woodcock. I quickly ran down the trail for an open shot. I fired twice and saw a small change in the bird's flight path. After a small protest from Adam, Briar, Ticket, Steve and myself pursed the bird. It was located shortly by Briar, who pinned it in some swamp oak. The bird only had suffered two pellet wounds in its wing. He will be soon mounted for my trophy room. We ended the day with roosters cackling all around us as we cracked LAGERS in celebration of a fine day afield. Till next time, happy huntin'

Russ

Steady Point Upland Guide Service
Morgantown, PA

The moments that time stands still!

I think of many years ago, walking through my favorite covert in Sullivan County. A twisted mess of barberries and Georgia pines. My faithful German Shorthair, Ticket, slowly ploding through the muck of the moist, moss covered earth. Then in one swirling movement, he was on point at my feet.

An explosion of wings and wistling, soared past my nose, nearly knocking off my hat. Out of instinct I snapped up my E.R. Amiantino, over and under and fired. What had flushed and fallen will never be forgoten. My first American Woodcock.

There have been many since then, but that day will be etched in my mind, until the day the Lord calls me home. I'm writing this because, slowly the date of October 17 is coming. The first day for hunting the elusive American Woodcock.

I scouted one of "secret spots" on state land. I know it sounds odd, but this is a section of public land that sees little presure for woodcock, thus its perfect for me. It lays only 10 mins away from my home, here in Berks County. I recently did a training session with one of my female German Shorthairs there, in hopes that a resident woodcock was around or maybe a holdover pheasant. No Dice! But a good day of training to say the least. It took about 10 mins for Briar to shake the winter cobwebs from her little doggie brain, but after that she was a pleasure to work, when I could see her. See the milkweed, multifloral rose and scrub oak were very thick and made it very difficult to admire her work. I did enjoy seeing her addapt to the surroundings, as she bounded and looked for the next birdy looking hideaway. A few more weeks here in PA and we'll be out on the prowl looking for the American Woodcock and what ever tricks he has up his sleeves. I just hope the North Wind doesn't blow too hard, too fast. Until next time, Hunt safe and hunt hard.

Russ
Steady Point Upland Guide Service