#349 | Southern Bird Hunting: Woodcock, Rails, and the Traditions That Shape It with Patrick Hunter

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Leisure, Science, Sports, Nature, Hobbies, Wilderness

4.8 • 971 Ratings

🗓️ 27 March 2026

⏱️ 73 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Patrick Hunter for a laid-back and insightful conversation about upland bird hunting in the Southeast. They dig into everything from family hunting traditions and first shotguns to the pursuit of elusive woodcock and what makes southern hunting so different. Patrick Hunter is an avid upland hunter and outdoorsman based in coastal South Carolina. With a background rooted in family hunting traditions, Patrick pursues a wide range of game including woodcock, quail, ducks, and wild turkeys. By day, he works as an engineer, but he has developed a growing passion for outdoor writing, contributing to publications like the Ruffed Grouse Society and Project Upland while advocating for conservation and awareness of southern bird hunting opportunities. Expect to Learn: What makes bird hunting in the Southeast uniquely challenging and rewarding How woodcock hunting can transform both hunters and their dogs The cultural traditions behind southern hunts like dove shoots and duck hunting Insights into lesser-known species like rails (marsh hens) and their hunting styles Why spring turkey hunting is one of the most addictive and meaningful pursuits Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction and Early Hunting Background [00:07:00] - First Shotguns, Bird Dogs, and Hunting Traditions [00:13:15] - Raising Kids Around Hunting and the Outdoors [00:19:26] - Duck Hunting in the Southeast and Unique Setups [00:27:08] - Seaweed, Conservation, and Writing About Bird Hunting [00:34:26] - Discovering Woodcock Hunting in the South [00:39:34] - Dove Hunting Culture and Rail (Marsh Hen) Hunting Explained [00:48:12] - Turkey Hunting Stories, Traditions, and Close Calls [00:55:54] - Public Land Hunting, Mentorship, and Sharing the Outdoors [01:11:38] - Where to Find Patrick and Closing Thoughts Follow The Guest, Patrick Hunter: Patrick Hunter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpatrickhunter/ Website: https://www.highway22outdoors.com/ Highway 22 Outdoor Shop: https://www.highway22outdoors.com/shop Youtube (Company): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp64d9-168IfGomYk14T_GA Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/hwy22outdoors/ Follow the Host, Nick: Instagram: @birdshot.podcast Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshot Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/

Transcript

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0:00.0	We had planned to talk about a little bit about wild bird hunting in the southeast.
0:03.8	It's tough here in the southeast to find birds. That's a unicorn finding cubbies of wild birds around here.
0:09.7	Hunting for woodcock feels less like an invitation and more like trespassing. I've had daters swim through my decoys and eat ducks.
0:18.1	In my deco, I pulled my decoy back and when I did, a copperhead came out from behind the decoy. I think our bag limits for quail are just ridiculous. I wish it wasn't. Yeah, they're like 12 or 14. From the mountains to the coast to be covered in snow. I don't know that it's ever happened in my lifetime, which is unheard of to have snow twice in the whole state of South Carolina. Big fan of the podcast. It's an honor to sweetie. That's a big bird.
1:09.0	That's a big bird. That's a big bird.
1:14.2	Wow.
1:17.2	Hey, everyone. Nick Larson here, host of the Birdshot podcast, the show that brings you conversations, stories, and traditions from all across the uplands.
1:25.2	The Birdshot podcast is presented by OnX Hunt and supported by folks just like you via
1:30.2	our Patreon community.
1:31.8	If you want to stay up to date and not miss any of our upcoming episodes, be sure to
1:35.1	subscribe and follow the show in your podcast player or on YouTube wherever you're listening
1:39.0	or watching today.
1:40.0	Tap that button for me.
1:41.1	Thank you for doing so.
1:42.3	And with that said, let's get into today's conversation on Verge shot podcast. Thank you for joining us.
2:15.8	I'm just going to say this right off the bat. Patrick, my setters are just finishing up their dinner, so apologies in advance if you hear any kibble crunching, but hopefully they'll be done soon. That's great. Welcome to the show, buddy. Yeah, absolutely. That's a welcoming sound for sure. You got a bird dog pacing around at your feet there or anything? I do not. I have a toddler in the room next door. Excellent. How old is the little one? Yeah, she's two. Okay. And then a bird dog probably asleep on his dog bed. Today I'm excited to be joined by Patrick Hunter. Nice last name, buddy. Was that sort of like foreshadowing your life ahead or is it just fortunate coincidence i mean everybody
2:52.3	in my family as far back as i can go was hunters so i think the shoe fits let's start there
2:58.4	and give you a little bit of background tell everybody where you're at and then give us a little bit of
3:04.0	your background and sort of hunting and bird dogs and kind of how you found your way into this thing we call pastime.
3:10.3	Yeah, so I live in South Carolina on the coast just outside of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
3:17.1	I grew up just north of like the Charlotte area.
3:21.0	So spent my childhood in North Carolina in the foothills, did a lot of things
	...

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