I’m planning on making cape may NJ a stop on a trip in late December in hopes of finding a few woodcock. Anybody on here have any experience hunting this area? Is there any weird Laws in NJ I should know about before hunting there? I’ve skimmed over the regs some and see no hunting on Sundays. 3 woodcock/day and 6 per season. Will there be any woodcock still there come the last week of the season?

Our population was sure down this year and when the Northern birds came through, they were here about 48 hours. We have had a very dry year so I am sure they had time getting their beak in ground that was like concrete. The little buzz bombs are sure fun to shoot at!

I only ever saw one in my life and it was pure accident. Actually checking beaver sets and saw this neat little fellow.

I’ve had a pretty good season with my new pointing pup so far! The wood (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) season being so short I thought I’d take the opportunity to extend it a little by chasing them south after Christmas. Cape may seems to be a pretty iconic place, I may be too late for the migration when I’d be able to go after Christmas but worth a shot! I have a blast pursuing them with a good dog!

I just got back from a week at camp in north-central PA. Some years we move thirty-plus woodcock. This year only a handful. They were either there and gone or they haven't come through yet due to extremely mild weather the past several weeks.

remember that " Timber-dootle " does not get the profanity filter screen

being a drought up here from July onward the worms were in dormancy
160user when was the wave there ?

During the "wave" I saw 6-8 in a 48 hour period probably around the 10th or so of October. Last fall I could flush 10 per evening without a dog.

I flushed a few the second and third week of January last year in Cape May County. ( while checking snares)
Check out NJ Wildlife Managemant areas and Belleplain State forest property.
As Cape May is a penninsula, from the Delaware Bay, East to Route 9 is my suggestion for your best options.
Quite a bit of public land in that area, alot is thick with Laurel.

Thankyou for the info huntraphish! I’ll look into those spots for sure! I’ve heard some of the cover in those parts is like it’s own jungle! I guess I’ll know first hand soon enough!