Scouting for Woodcock - No Joy

[Sporrns]

Decided to take a walkabout this afternoon to one of my longtime favorite local Woodcock covers; not large but usually holds a bird or two this late in our (abnormally mild this year) season. No Timberdoodles but a number of brightly- colored and cheerful songbirds. No dog with me so could have walked over a few but based on past experiences unlikely. Weather is so mild I'm sure they are still here. Special ops in other covers due by week's end, so we'll see. Tiny areas in NOVA and MD will fool you. (I hope they fool me!). Beautiful day to be out in the woods! Kevin

[Jeff S]

Sounds like time well spent.

[vaturkey]

Yesterday was the final day of Woodcock season in Maryland. Took Sophie out for a bit over an hour at a local WMA and no birds found. Did hear a ton of shooting on the Potomac River, so I'm guessing some Goose hunters were slaying them. About 50 minutes into the hunt Sophie let out a yelp in the super thick stuff and came up limping in the hindquarter. Took an additional 20 minutes to make it back to the vehicle with a slight limp. No weight on the right rear allowed after we got home an hour later. Whatever it is stiffened up during the ride home. Metacam yesterday evening. Bit better this morning. Watching like a hawk begins. If she continues to favor it then off to the vet this week. She turned 8 about a week ago.

PS. Keep you fingers crossed for me. She has been a bit stiff at times after hunting 2 or 3 hours, but nothing like this.

[44whiskey]

hoping Sophie heals fully and soon,regards,Fred

[Jeff S]

Hope she’s okay

[ylwdog]

My Lab Maudie had the same symptoms early this season with stiffness in her right hind leg after the hunt. The following day she was pretty much back to normal. We hunted on Jan.10th and the same thing happened during our hunt so we pulled the plug on the hunt and took her to the vet.
She had surgery last Wednesday for a blown out ACL. She also will be 8 years old on Feb 12th.
Get your pup checked out … Good luck ! Jerry

[Jim Cloninger]

Tom, take Sophie to the vet right away. Don't fool around. What caused her to yip? Could she have been bitten by something? It's funny, my Black Lab Mazie will also be 8 in April.
Jim

[vaturkey]

Tom, take Sophie to the vet right away. Don't fool around. What caused her to yip? Could she have been bitten by something? It's funny, my Black Lab Mazie will also be 8 in April.
Jim

She was running in thorns at the time, Green briar is awful here. She was about 40 yards from me. No critters around to take a bite at her. Yep, xrays this week, although right now she isn't limping at all.

[44whiskey]

thanks for update,regards Fred

[MC1952]

We found a few woodcock today in norther Virginia.
Gunner enjoyed the morning.

[Jeff S]

Great point. I’ll bet it was a nice day in the woods. Weather looks nice.