Fox Collectors

I’m sitting in a diner right now getting fueled up before a day of woodcock hunting.

Only guns in my truck are an LC Smith, a Parker repro and a CSMC RBL. I’m kind of wishing I’d brought a Sterly 20 but I know if I did another opportunity to use these guns would slip by. I’m going to give them a day in the field to justify not selling them off LOL!

I'll forgive you, Roger! After all, they are nice guns.
Jim

The woodcock opener in NJ was a great day!

Though I used my Parker Repro 20 my buddy kept it classy with a Sterlingworth 16.

Nice going, Roger!

I really committed heresy back on 2 November. For 73 years I've heeded my Father's advice on the two horrendous things in American shotgunnery to be avoided at all costs -- Winchester Model 24s and bottom dumper pump guns. But, a Remington Model 17 with a 28-inch solid rib barrel choked IMP. CYL. for $200 out the door at my local pawn shop could not be resisted.
Stopped at the Spokane Gun Club on my way home and shot a quick round of skeet with it, 23 x 25, missing a high 2 on the double and a low 7!!

Forensics -- The old Remington factory ledger shows this receiver was put in work in the January-February 1929 time frame. Gun must have been made just before the A "Standard" Grades got checkered wood. The barrel, which is serial numbered to the gun, carries a Remington repair code KG3, May 1938. Wonder where the original barrel is?

Love those M17's. Being a southpaw it was my go to for many years until I discovered M12's that the ejection port on the right side did'nt bother me. Nice one Dave especially with the solid rib and the bargain basement price.
Ouch on missing low 7!

Roger, it seems to me that you are one of the premier woodcock hunters in this group. You always post great pictures of the little birds and I thoroughly enjoy them. However, I did notice the absence of woodcock beer this time.

Beer you say?

We all had just a sip as we packed up the dogs and gear.

There you go... It just wouldn't be a ROMAC picture without Jimmy Woodcock.

That CBS(Canadian Breakfast Stout)is a bourbon barrelled Stout by Founders. It has about 11.5% Alcohol by volume.

Tasted kind of like Jagermeister, the bourbon flavor pushed through the Stout for sure!

Founders is brewed in Grand Rapids, but I've never had the CBS. Sounds a little "heavy" for me.

A 28" Imp Cyl solid rib barrel!! I would have to have it!!! Kevin

Roger, I have been out twice in MD but so far no luck. Last Tuesday I flushed then re-flushed a single; no shot the first flush but gave it a "Hail Mary" shot through super-thick brush on the second; never touched a feather. On Friday past, I hunted a different cover in MD across Delaware Bay not far at all from your NJ digs that has proven good for woodcock for over 45-50 years. Beautiful cover, beautifully managed by the State over time, but didn't see, hear, or flush a thing. They just aren't here yet. Hopefully the oncoming bad weather will push some of them over to us this week. Some pics of the better stuff attached - Its really tough without a dog! Kevin

Sporrns,

I feel your pain. I've had plenty of days with no activity, that's just the nature of migratory hunting.

I think the birds we saw were definitely new arrivals based upon where we were getting the flushes. Mostly super thick edge cover. We had fewer flushes than hoped, but it was clear that the birds are arriving. We probably had about 16 flushes over a 6 hour period in three different spots. I also think they were recent arrivals based upon how little chalk we saw in the thickets. I can remember days where chalk seemed to be everywhere.

This is the cover that was most productive, kind of like hunting a bamboo thicket. (I can't figure out why my pictures are turning sideways)

If you figure out the "sideways" thing, please let me know. Pictures from my camera always work correctly. Pictures from my cell seem to be a problem. I have sent them from my cell phone, to my laptop to make sure that they are correct. Then, I post them to the forum, from my laptop, and they come out sideways. Really strange.