The Season Ends With Wingshooting

Image Copyright Nancy Whitehead

Fall in the Miramichi River Valley is breath taking, and when the colors of the trees are fading, the brief wingshooting season is a great way to round out the amazing outdoor recreational opportunities available in the Maritimes.

The peak season of woodcock falls typically around Canadian Thanksgiving, which is the second week of October. After several frosts, the ground conditions for bird hunting in New Brunswick were ideal, and for the most part, our clients enjoyed a week full of excellent cool but sunny weather.

Our guide worked hard to put clients in the position to shoot numerous flushes of woodcock a day. The average flush for peak week rounded out to be about 45 flushes a day. We can not give the guide all the credit - the dogs worked well in the cool conditions, which makes time in the woods very enjoyable!

Watching a working dog is truly a magical experience. The communication between guide and canine is incredible, and observing this collaboration gives new meaning to “teamwork.” We have worked with an incredible photographer in the past, Nancy Whitehead, whose stunning images of working dogs have graced magazines and publications across the globe. Visit Nancy’s site for a photographic treat. If you like what you see, Nancy's book of sporting dog photography makes a really special gift.

We closed the fishing season out with light flurries of snow on the Miramichi River. The river temperature was in the 40’s and had dropped a good bit after the amount of rainfall the week prior, so our hopes were high as we waded the Miramichi on the last day of the season.

Thanks to all who visited us in New Brunswick this year? We hope to stay in touch and see you again next year. Although the seasons have wrapped up, we are already starting on 2010 plans.