Anyone here actually hunt woodcocks?

[gawildlife]

Do they nest on the ground? I flushed one last spring at 3600’ on top of the mountain. It fluttered just a few feet off the ground for only 30’ or so. Guessing it was trying to lure me away from its nest which I never saw.

Mountain tops aren't their normal habitat. Creek bottoms is more their style but yes ground nester.
However, that flight pattern is they're normal escape pattern. Flush, fly low maybe head high, zip zag away and set down quickly.

 

[jbogg]

Mountain tops aren't their normal habitat. Creek bottoms is more their style but yes ground nester.
However, that flight pattern is they're normal escape pattern. Flush, fly low maybe head high, zip zag away and set down quickly.

That was it exactly. About head high, but very slow. Almost flew in a lazy half circle. Very different from flushing a quail.

 

[gawildlife]

Yup, slower than quail and almost never straight up and away like quail.

They tend to hold much tighter than quail almost needing to be stepped on to flush. Which makes for a good test of the old ticker if you're not expecting it.