When I was younger, a limit meant something to me. Now that I'm a bit older (45) it seems I have forgotten exactly what was important to me about that heavy game bag. These days, I usually prefer to watch the dog work. Since I do the great majority of the cooking at my house, none of the birds go to waste. My wife is from South America, and could probably be a vegatarian if it weren't for my beef vegatable barley soup, or the smoker and the grilles on the deck. So the bird cooking is mostly for me, and I tend to use the birds fresh, not frozen.
I haven't shot a woodcock in several years. There is something afoot with the little guys, as I see few where I used to see hundreds. Further, my English setter is a bumbling idiot with them for some reason, and seldom handles one with finesse.
I don't believe I have ever mentioned my little self imposed limit to anybody in the woods, and don't call into question what their practices are on same. Truthfully, I do my best to avoid other folks when hunting, so as to allow each of us to enjoy the solitude of the woods. Wednesday is my typical hunting day in the fall.
I can't use more than a couple birds, pheasants or grouse, a week. As I look back over the years, I can also conclude that it doesn't hurt me to just enjoy the flush a time or two on a trip. Not every encounter with a gamebird needs to end with a gunshot for me to call it a successful trip. Not too righteous, I hope. Just the way I enjoy my sport.
Best,
Ted
