WOODCOCK SHOOTING 
pounds in one season. The majority of these were caught in horsehair 
springes and by glade or ‘flight ’ nets, hoisted by pulleys to the trees along 
their flighting paths. The Exeter coach sometimes carried up 30 dozen 
per week; price at particular seasons as high as 16s. a couple ! ” 
Many of the southern lines of migration cross to Wales and Ireland via 
Devon and Cornwall — Lundy Island being frequently used as a resting 
place. On one occasion, in the early seventies of the last century, over 
forty were shot in one day on this small island by a sportsman who hap- 
pened to be there just at the time of migration. 
With regard to the actual shooting of woodcock, it is the usual practice 
in Ireland and those favoured localities in England and Scotland where 
they are known, or expected to be plentiful, to use No. 7 or 8 shot. It is 
a soft bird not heavily feathered, and this size of shot gives good results 
up to say forty -five to fifty yards, beyond which one ought not to shoot 
at them. The pattern is close, and the penetration quite sufficient for 
the purpose ; at anything over thirty yards a larger size shot is apt to 
give rather too open a pattern, and it is as well to remember that if 
only winged, a woodcock will run a considerable distance. 
Many retrievers dislike the scent, and so, if the bird is not killed, there 
is a good chance of its being lost. 
When beating for woodcock in the open, on the red bogs of Ireland or 
the heathery bottoms in Scotland, the guns can walk in line; should there 
be a wood on one flank it is a good plan for the gun on that side to keep 
well ahead of the line, as they are sometimes inclined to rise wild and 
make straight for the covert. 
When seeking them in coverts, especially if wide and straggling, and 
scantily provided with paths, as they very often are, five guns are, in my 
opinion, the model number. You can then have one forward on each side, 
a gun in the centre and one on each flank, these three being in line with 
the beaters. This enables every one to shoot towards the centre of the covert, 
whereas if there be a forward gun going up the middle ride, though that 
gun will probably get more shooting than any of the others, he will be 
either masking the fire of his friends, or running a considerable risk of 
being peppered. The forward guns will get the easiest shots if they know 
the game, as they will push well ahead, very likely disturbing ’cocks 
which may be lying on the edge of the covert as they move on, and when 
they have at length got to some open space, it is advisable to stand 
still, with the attention towards the beaters. When nearing the end of a 
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