Woodcock migration

[MC1952]

I’ve been hunting a high West Virginia valley the last 3 days. Just early morning hunts because the temps are higher than normal for this time of year. The flights are definitely not here yet. I’ve been able to take one or two birds each morning. I guess the bulk of the woodcock are still on their way down.

[Foxnut]

MC1952,
Our weather in MI has been unseasonably warm and dry through October. Here in W. MI it was 76 on Tuesday and same for NW OH. Birds haven’t needed to start the push South. We finally got a nice soaking rain over the last two days and this morning it’s down to 38 degrees with extended forecast looking much colder. They should start heading your way!!

[Sporrns]

They have not arrived in their usual haunts on MD or VA Eastern Shores, according to hunters reports heard yesterday and today at the Easton MD November gun show. The birds are apparently still ricked up over in New Jersey from a weird combination of weather factors off the mid-Atlantic coasts: warmer than normal fall temps and a combined succession of distant tropical disturbances offshore and intense nor'easters. No urgency to move and confusing/contrary winds aloft hampering their crossing Delaware Bay from Jersey to coastal and inland hotspots in MD and VA. I will be interested in ROMAC's detailed reports of his NJ hunts as he starts the season and looks for them. Kevin

[ROMAC]

Kevin, my early season is all messed up, what with the staph infection and arm operation. I am finally ready to get out there but my son is getting married this weekend. I’m going out the week after so I’ll be happy to give you all a report.

[ROMAC]

My guy on the ground in Jersey says things are slow all over.

Waiting for foul weather farther up the northeast coast towards Nova Scotia to blow.

This should get them moving.