Have been shooting woodcock in Devon for close to 20 years and this year had my annual week slightly earlier than normal.I thought with all the rumours of the decline of their numbers for various reasons , I have to say I probably saw more woodcock this year than I have seen in the previous 19 years shooting over the same ground . We host a day each year and try to keep account of the number of birds that are lifted on this day , we estimated that we saw 30+ birds for the day , where our average on previous years have been about 20 . They are a most precious bird and none of us that shoot would want to see this stunning bird endangered.
I shoot, but don't think these birds should be targeted in future. I have seen good numbers this winter, but the overall trend is downwards. Saying 'They are a most precious bird and none of us that shoot would want to see this stunning bird endangered' then holding an annual shoot for them is ludicrous.
Fellow gun agreeing with you. They are stunning not a pest , I see woodcock so infrequently walking my shoot. Lets just concentrate on woodies for now... They seem in total abundance.
I appreciate what is being said in the video, but I think we (all woodcock shooters) should refrain from shooting Woodcock if the GWCT advises us to do so. The storm clouds are undoubtedly gathering around our sport and we will depend on the hard science of the GWCT in the first line of defence. We should not, in my opinion, ignore the GWCT science when it doesn't suit no matter how you feel as our opponents will jump on this. Hopefully next season (18/19) will be better.
I honestly don’t see the point in shooting snipe there is hardly any meat and as for the woodcock you should leave them as there numbers are declining and you have no respect typical gun more bothered about the amount they shoot rather than the bird
Have been shooting woodcock in Devon for close to 20 years and this year had my annual week slightly earlier than normal.I thought with all the rumours of the decline of their numbers for various reasons , I have to say I probably saw more woodcock this year than I have seen in the previous 19 years shooting over the same ground . We host a day each year and try to keep account of the number of birds that are lifted on this day , we estimated that we saw 30+ birds for the day , where our average on previous years have been about 20 . They are a most precious bird and none of us that shoot would want to see this stunning bird endangered.
I shoot, but don't think these birds should be targeted in future. I have seen good numbers this winter, but the overall trend is downwards. Saying 'They are a most precious bird and none of us that shoot would want to see this stunning bird endangered' then holding an annual shoot for them is ludicrous.
Fellow gun agreeing with you. They are stunning not a pest , I see woodcock so infrequently walking my shoot. Lets just concentrate on woodies for now... They seem in total abundance.
I appreciate what is being said in the video, but I think we (all woodcock shooters) should refrain from shooting Woodcock if the GWCT advises us to do so. The storm clouds are undoubtedly gathering around our sport and we will depend on the hard science of the GWCT in the first line of defence. We should not, in my opinion, ignore the GWCT science when it doesn't suit no matter how you feel as our opponents will jump on this. Hopefully next season (18/19) will be better.
Nice to see a modest bag, of mixed game.
Looks like my sort of shoot, not huge numbers being shot, relaxed atmosphere 👍🏻
They are rare. They aren't a pest. They are hardly food. Why shoot these? To prove you can shoot? There are better ways for that.
Madness. I can't believe anyone would shoot a Golden Plover!
If they were good eating then they'd be farmed and sold in tesco
this is the beauty of hunting.. just awesome.
Dr raza.pakistan
Anyone know where I could buy Golden Plover wings? I use them for fly tying, very rare to get hold of them....
Sooner they are on the prohibitive list the better. Lets just take woodies for now....
😱
Barbaric
Little farty people
Hunters know how to hunt these birds...everyone else that only shoot them, they are idiots
I honestly don’t see the point in shooting snipe there is hardly any meat and as for the woodcock you should leave them as there numbers are declining and you have no respect typical gun more bothered about the amount they shoot rather than the bird
because you don't know what to do with snipes; doesn't mean they cannot be enjoyed at the table.
Disgusting