Hunting for woodcock in spring on traction

Among the numerous species of waders that inhabit our territories, a woodcock is a unique representative of forest game. Russian hunters are very familiar with this bird.

general information

She is a representative of a squad of waders, a family of rzhanok. Woodcock - a migratory bird. It nests almost throughout the forest belt, not meeting only in Kamchatka and Sakhalin. Mostly this bird hibernates outside our territory, although some part of the livestock still remains in the Caucasus, in the southern Crimea and in Central Asia.

Woodcock leads an exceptionally secretive life, hiding in the day in well protected by thick bushes, ferns or young trees. With the onset of dusk, this bird, animating, begins to move from place to place in search of food. Its main food is worms, various larvae, slugs and many insects, which it extracts from moist soil with its long beak, at the end equipped with sensitive nerve trunks.

Types of extraction

The hunt for a woodcock, whose photo is proof that it is a typical kulik, is considered one of the curious and fascinating pastimes. This nondescript bird with gray-brown plumage, dark stripes and long beak became the object of sporting production due to its large enough number and very interesting habits. In order to hunt for woodcock - in the spring or autumn - was successful, a person will need to show considerable ingenuity.

There are many types of shooting this bird. Each of them is interesting in its own way, but the most common is the hunting for woodcock on traction. In addition to this method, there are also shooting with the help of a dog, as well as with mank, in drops, on dirt, etc.

Seasons

Traditions of the production of this bird in different geographical latitudes are different. In Russia, the opening of the season is hunting for woodcock on draft in the spring. It is also held in the autumn season. Spring hunt for a woodcock lasts from fourteen to twenty-three days. An interesting fact: unlike our country, in France, for example, the shooting of a forest kulik is allowed from September to March.

Since the main periods of reproduction and feeding of chicks of woodcocks in different areas of the Russian vast territory are different, in the number of birds there is no shortage. This forest sandpiper is not of particular interest to poachers. It does not represent a special value in culinary circles, therefore, rather, it is interesting as an object for sports shooting. Apparently, therefore, there is no particular threat of some duration of its extraction. Hunting for a woodcock in autumn lasts up to two months, depending on the region.

Spring shooting

This hobby can be called gambling. It requires the shooter not only to have weapons and special uniforms, but also to shoot in certain conditions. The most popular is the woodcock hunting in the spring. It is, perhaps, the most accessible and fascinating option for the production of wild game.

The spring flight of this bird with the onset of warm weather can begin as early as February. With the advent of the first thawed patches - from the end of March until the middle of May - woodcocks arrive at the sites of their nesting grounds. They can fly either singly or in pairs, or in groups of six or more individuals. In search of convenient places for females, flying through forest clearings and clearings, as well as overgrown felling, they choose mostly semi-open areas.

An important factor on which hunting for a woodcock depends in the spring - its success is the weather, which affects the game behavior. The best are warm, but overcast or very wet evenings. At this time, the extraction flies low and slow. Therefore, it is at this time that hunting for a woodcock in the spring will be most effective.

At the same time, you need to know that in this season you can not shoot females in any way, so as not to ruin the brood. The males of this bird, completely not caring about their offspring, do not contribute to its preservation.

Thrust

This is the name of the massive years of forest sandpiper on evening and morning dawns. The most popular is hunting for traction. Woodcock in the spring in summer can be detected by the characteristic sounds released in the air. Thrust can be observed depending on the weather as in the evening, just after sunset, and in the morning, just before sunrise.

Evening mass years last about an hour or more, whereas the morning one is much shorter and already completely ends before the sunrise. Where there are many woodcocks, flocks can go one after another in this period almost without interruption. Then the thrust ceases. During the night time between evening and morning in the summer occasionally can stretch one or two kulicks, no more.

Equipment

Hunting for a woodcock in spring on traction is carried out using fraction number 7 or 8. Since this bird is not large, and it flies high enough, the basic requirements for weapons are the sharpness of the battle and the consistency. Of course, the arrow will require accuracy with the ability to determine the trajectory of game flying.

If the forest kulik flies slowly and in a straight line, then the trigger can be pressed, taking a sight at the tip of the beak. If the woodcocks fly far enough, you should not run after them, as they, after making a wide enough circle, will again bypass the hunter in an arc.

With limited lighting, additional difficulties may arise. Therefore, a person should possess not only good eyesight, but also an eye-sight. And most importantly - he will need patience and perseverance. Dogs use woodcocks for traction, some use it, but in this case their presence can not be called decisive.

Hunting for traction

In the evening it is necessary to come to the place of shooting in advance, not less than half an hour before sunset. Once on the spot, you need to look around, choose the most successful shot for the shot. When determining its location, the hunter should take into account at least three important circumstances: the most probable path of the woodcock span, as well as the convenience for roundabout fire, so as not to accidentally miss a ball without a bullet from any side, while safely hiding behind a bush or herringbone, To not give out the presence before the necessary time. The third characteristic, from which hunting for a woodcock in the spring will be effective, is the height of the surrounding trees.

It must be remembered that the forest kulik, as a rule, pulls at the very tops of trees, being lowered in those places where the forest is lower, and rising high above the high-altitude thicket. Therefore, for parking, it is best to choose a place in the middle of low vegetation, where young trees and shrubs predominate.

Features

Hunting for a woodcock in the spring on traction is more effective if using decoys. This is an old traditional trick of seasoned professionals. If the bird flew by, you can also throw up the cap or mitt. A woodcock with side vision notices movement, taking an object by a female or an opponent. Here the hunter will need an excellent response, since the forest snake can be very fast, and therefore it will be necessary to shoot at random.

In windy weather, traction is quite weak or birds fly faster or higher than under normal conditions. In this case, during the culling, you need to have sufficient anticipation, as during hunting for ducks and other fast game. In this case, the fly must be carried out before the flying woodcock. Under favorable weather, there is no need for this. It is enough to take a fly at the tip of the beak of the prey, accompany it in this way for a few seconds, and then shoot.

Not for nothing was the spring hunt for woodcock was considered elite in former times. Of course, the result is important, but even more important is the process itself, which consists of training, a long tracking down of the bird and enjoyment of waiting for the moment of the shot. This is not shooting the prey, it's a hunt for the very hunt.