They are my favorite bird as well. I have only SEEN one runner, even with the dog working back toward me. I have hunted longer without a dog than with, and the majority of my dogless flushes were within 25 or 30 feet or so. Scares the bejeebers outta me everytime!! I am lucky to have a very nice cover right next door. Saw my first woodcock this year about a week ago, right before the cold weather and snow blew back into connecticut, here. Hope the 2 that I saw had sense enough to head back south for a while. Its too early for them. 4fun
