Yes, you can hunt woodcock in New York during the designated woodcock hunting season. Woodcock are a popular game bird among hunters in New York.
When is woodcock season in NY?
The woodcock hunting season in New York typically runs from October 1 to November 14 each year. Here are the specific 2023 woodcock hunting season dates for New York:
- Northern Zone: October 1 – November 14
- Southern Zone: October 15 – November 28
The Northern Zone covers most of upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. The Southern Zone includes Long Island, New York City, and Westchester County.
What are the hunting regulations for woodcock in NY?
Here are some key regulations for hunting woodcock in New York:
- Daily limit: 3 woodcock per day
- Possession limit: 9 woodcock
- Shooting hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Legal weapons: Shotguns no larger than 10 gauge with no more than 3 shells in possession
- Non-toxic shot requirement: Yes, lead shot is prohibited
- Hunting license required: Yes, must have a valid small game hunting license
- HIP registration: Yes, you must register through the Harvest Information Program (HIP)
In addition to a hunting license, woodcock hunters must carry proof of HIP registration while afield. Consult the annual NY Hunting and Trapping Regulations guide for full details on woodcock regulations.
Where can you hunt woodcock in NY?
Prime woodcock habitat consists of young forests and brushy areas with plenty of cover. Some top public land areas for woodcock hunting in New York include:
- Willowemoc Wild Forest
- Independence River Wild Forest
- Pharsalia Woods WMA
- Tioga State Forest
- Hither Hills State Park
- Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
Look for lands managed for young forest initiatives that create woodcock habitat. Get maps from the DEC to scout out access points to these areas ahead of the season.
When are woodcock most active in NY?
Woodcock are crepuscular, meaning most active at dawn and dusk. The best hunting times are early morning and late afternoon leading up to sunset. Woodcock also shift their activity patterns with the weather. Here are some tips for timing your woodcock hunts:
- Hunt mornings on cold, frosty days when woodcock stay active later after sunup.
- Time afternoon hunts for warm days when woodcock start feeding earlier.
- Look for flight activity on windy days as woodcock seek sheltered cover.
- Aim for overcast, drizzly days that keep woodcock active throughout the day.
What is the best way to hunt woodcock in NY?
The ideal way to hunt woodcock is with a pointed sporting dog that can locate and flush birds in dense habitat. Here are some effective hunting strategies:
- Work covers systematically: Stay in contact with your dog and maintain focus – woodcock can flush wild.
- Follow your dog’s signals: Use their change of behavior to anticipate flushes.
- Practice snap shooting: Woodcock spring quickly so be ready to mount your gun and fire instinctively.
- Focus on dense covers: Target alder runs, young aspen stands, forest openings grown up in dogwood.
For hunters without a dog, still hunt promising covers slowly and thoroughly while watching for flushed birds. Hunting woodcock takes patience – keep moving to find pockets of activity.
What gauge shotgun is best for woodcock hunting in NY?
A lightweight 20 or 28 gauge shotgun is ideal for woodcock hunting. Here are some benefits of these smaller gauges:
- Quick handling: Easier to swing and mount in thick cover.
- Reduced recoil: Lower pounding for all-day carrying.
- Better balance: Makes snap shooting and follow up shots easier.
- Improved stamina: Less weight allows longer hikes through covers.
Use improved cylinder or modified choke tubes for a wider shot pattern at short flushing range. Focus on making clean kills with sufficient shot density instead of heavy payloads.
What shot size is best for woodcock in NY?
No. 6, 7, and 8 shot work well for taking woodcock at close range. Ideal shot sizes offer a balance of pattern density and penetration. Here are some pros for each size:
| Shot Size | Advantages |
| No. 6 | Denser patterns Good impact at longer range |
| No. 7 | Very dense patterns Excellent close-range performance |
| No. 8 | Dense patterns Reduced felt recoil |
No. 7 and 8 shot minimize meat damage while providing clean kills. Focus on proper shot placement as woodcock require pinpoint hits.
How do you aim for woodcock in NY?
Woodcock have small vital areas given their compact size. Here are some tips for effective shot placement:
- Aim at the head and upper chest as the woodcock rises.
- Swing through the bird and fire ahead to connect as it darts away.
- Avoid low hits by shooting high – better to miss over the back.
- Practice snap shooting and maintain follow through after firing.
Woodcock hunters need quick reactions and instincts to make clean kills. Having proper gun mount and shooting form is critical.
How do you find woodcock in NY?
The key to locating woodcock is identifying their preferred habitat. Here are some tips for finding woodcock hotspots:
- Focus on areas with dense, young forest growth.
- Target alder, aspen, and birch stands less than 10 years old.
- Look for overgrown clearcuts starting to thicken up.
- Check creek bottoms and flood plains with dogwood and alder cover.
- Walk forest roads and trails early and look for flight activity.
- Concentrate efforts in the early morning and evening prime times.
Use topographic maps to identify likely young forest areas. Have a game plan to efficiently cover a few of the best spots each time out.
How do you clean and cook woodcock?
Cleaning woodcock is quick work once you know the process. Follow these steps:
- Pluck the feathers from breast to tail leaving wings and head intact.
- Remove entrails by making an incision just below the breast.
- Cut off the head, wings, and feet at the joints.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
For cooking, woodcock have delicate, mildly gamey meat. Quick pan-searing or roasting works well. Stuffing with cream cheese and wrapping in bacon makes easy appetizers. Always cook woodcock to proper temperatures.
Conclusion
New York offers excellent woodcock hunting opportunities across much of the state. Focus efforts in young forest covers in the early morning and evening when woodcock are most active. Light 20 or 28 gauge shotguns and No. 6-8 shot match well with these close-flushing birds. With sharp shooting reflexes and some scouting to locate prime covers, New York hunters can experience great action pursuing woodcock each fall.
