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

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Sports, Science, Wilderness, Nature, Leisure, Hobbies

4.8 • 969 Ratings

🗓️ 27 March 2026

⏱️ 77 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	One of my favorite things about hunting sharp-tailed grouse is hunting the topography. And one of the best ways I have found to do that more effectively and efficiently is with Onyx Hunt's 3D map view. The next time you're scouting from your living room, the roadside, or when you're in the field hunting it, fire up the Onyx Hunt app and turn on the 3D map view to get an up close and in detail look at the topography of any piece of property.
0:22.6	Whether it's a gentle, rolling piece of terrain or a truly elevated and mountainous landscape,
0:26.6	you can use the exaggeration slider to fine-tune your view and highlight the topographical features you're looking for.
0:33.6	From benches to bowls to draws and drainage, get a clear picture and develop a strategy for you and your bird dog
0:39.1	To work the terrain and hunt the topography with Onex Hunt.
0:42.5	Use the promo code BSP20 to save 20% on your next subscription.
0:47.3	Download the Hunt app today and know where you stand with OnX Hunt.
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1:22.8	mcreddles a new macdonald's breakfast so it's maple syrup infused it's's sweet, then it's savory, because the sausage, you know, and the cheese and the egg. Oh, it's got the golden archie stamped on it too. Make that make sense. It's hard to put into words, but... Until 11 a.m., subject to availability, fees apply to delivery orders while stocks last. We had planned to talk about a little bit about wild bird hunting in the southeast.
1:47.0	It's tough here in the southeast to find birds.
1:49.0	That's a unicorn finding coveys of wild birds around here.
1:53.0	Hunting for woodcock feels less like an invitation and more like trespassing.
	...

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