“And gunnin’ for pa’tridge… is the reason they have October every year.” – Corey Ford
Guided grouse and Woodcock Hunts in Central New York, Mohawk Valley, and southern Adirondacks
Whether you’re a brand new bird hunter who wants to explore New York, an older hunter looking to relive the glory days, or anything in between, there’s a place for you in our prized coverts.
We pursue Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock – both wild birds – on public land which adds a certain level of unpredictability to the hunt, though our flush rates consistently surpass the state-wide average. We welcome hunters to bring their own dogs if they would like to rotate them in throughout the day, otherwise, hunters will have the opportunity to hunt behind classic, foot-hunting English Setters. Due to the unpredictability of wild birds and to get the best bird hunting experience, we recommend booking full day hunts and even multiple days, if possible. We hunt over a vast swath of New York State from Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, to the southern Adirondacks and further north. We’ll assess your physical capability and experience to determine the best location and cover type for your trip. When booking, we’ll help you find centrally located lodging and provide recommendations for evening dining and libations.
On the day of the hunt, guests will rendezvous with us between 8 and 9 am. Morning hunts include opportunities to hunt several coverts before taking a break at lunch time. We go all out for field lunches – some grouse hunters prefer sitting on a log and sharing a sandwich or two with their dog, but we find that taking a break midday to enjoy a hot lunch is a preferable way to recharge the batteries, enjoy some banter, and reflect on the morning hunt (of course you should still share a few morsels with a hungry dog or two). Some lunchtime favorites include grilled ribeyes and asparagus, hot clam chowder, or grilled brats. Please let us know of any dietary preferences or restrictions.
After lunch, we’ll hunt the Golden Hour, when we usually experience the best grouse hunting, and we’ll continue until dusk. Grouse hunting can be a challenging endeavor, but we’re here for you – your preferences will determine the pace, length, and difficulty of the day.
**hunting gear can be provided if needed, including guns, ammunition, hunting vests and blaze orange. All you really need is a pair of sturdy boots, thick pants, and a good attitude. When booking, we’ll review a list of recommended gear and what to bring for an enjoyable trip**
**all hunters must possess a current New York State hunting license which can be purchased at many sporting goods stores or online. To hunt woodcock, you must apply for the Harvest Information Program (HIP). More information will be provided at time of booking**
Booking Dates
We try to book hunts during prime grouse and woodcock hunting times. Grouse season begins on September 20th in the Adirondacks and October 1st state-wide. Woodcock season begins on October 1st state-wide. Grouse and woodcock hunting improves as the woodcock migration progresses through October. Some outstanding grouse hunting occurs the first two weeks of November before deer season begins. Grouse season continues until the last day of February, and can provide some good opportunities when snow is minimal and coverts are accessible. Contact us to determine the ideal date for your hunt.
Guiding Rates
Full day hunts for up to two hunters: $600
Half day hunts (morning or afternoon) for up to two hunters: $425
**for everyone’s safety, we prefer groups of 2 hunters at maximum**
$100 deposit due at time of booking. Deposits are refundable up to two weeks before your trip. If cancelation must occur within two weeks due to an approved, reasonable condition your deposit will be applied to a hunt on an agreed upon future date. The remainder is due on the day of your hunt. Please note, there is a 3% fee applied to Venmo or PayPal transactions.
