Rails: Ebb and Flow, life on the tide

jode hillman

Well-known member
When the sweltering dog days of summer begin to wane, small secretive denizens of the marsh begin to arrive in Southern New Jersey. Rails, depending on species range from about the size of a Robin (Sora Rail) to slightly smaller than a Teal (King and Clappers) Rail hunting was the first real advent of hunting for leisure in the United States (as opposed to mass killing for market) and ushered in the age of the hunter/ conservationist. Artists like Thomas Eakins enjoyed rail shooting on the marshes of Delaware Bay, and this theme is the subject matter for several of his famous early works.


Being a lifelong outdoorsman and living in the Traditional “heart” of rail country it was quite ironic that I had never hunted for Sora’s in the age old way. (Poled thru the marsh in a handmade Railbird Skiff) I had shoot Clappers while duck hunting or for an early season adventure. But that pales in comparison the tradition, class and sheer excitement of hunting Sora Rail in the Rice marshes of Down Jersey.


For several years I had received invitations from two friends of mine to be their guest on a Rail shoot. Do to family or work commitments I was never able to oblige Rick and Frank. This year was different. With a nice high tides predicted, (one must hunt rails when the high tides makes poling across the rice flats possible) and a good crop of birds on the marsh I was able to finally say “Yes” to this adventure. On this trip I would also be bringing along a brand new hunter, my friend Adam (13) to experience his very first try at wing shooting.


The night prior to the hunt I checked my gun, cleaned it and realized all of my non-toxic shot was much to large (size 4 or larger) Sora’s are lightly built graceful creatures so small bore guns and light loads are key. A desperate call to the local mom and pop shop secured me two boxes of prized #7 steel shot. As I loaded the truck I let my mind wander to what the day would hold. The forecast was calling for rain, but even that couldn’t dampen my spirits.


High tide was predicted at 2:37 PM for our hunting location. Rick suggested we meet at 11:00 AM to give us time to get to the shooting grounds and allow an early start should the tide come up quicker than anticipated. Rick has been hunting and guiding for rails for over 30 years. He uses a handmade Fiberglass skiff he built especially for this purpose. Though he got out of the guiding business several years ago his knowledge of the River, cover, and tradition of Rail hunting is hard to beat. His father started him pushing clients at 15 and his wiry stature is deceiving as he can easily move a hulking gunner, boat and gear over thick vegetation and a mere skin of water. My pusher for the Day, Frank is cut of the same cloth, though he would be easily mistaken on the street for a linebacker or MMA fighter. Quiet with a quick smile, he handled his Sassafras framed, Cedar planked skiff with a skill that spoke of his many years on the water.

After a half hour tip down river we arrived at the first of the flats we were to hunt for the day. Prior reports revealed this spot had produced exceedingly well several days previous. As Frank and Rick muscled the boats through the still rising water, Lack of Flushing Rail and the finding of other guides lost bird Markers ( brightly colored buoys used to mark downed birds) soon began to indicate this meadow was probably shot out. Rick made the call we would head farther South yet. As we were pushing to the edge of the last rice Island to access our route south, a quick yet distinctive black flash caught my eye. I mentioned this to Frank who poled me to the spot. A quick flush, flutter, and BANG later, my first Sora lay softly on the Rice.

As we retrieved it, its dainty form, beautiful colors and Quirky smirk made me an instant fan! I can’t quite describe the feeling, but it was as if I discovered something I never knew I lost.

Our trip to the southern grounds proved to be a wise decision as our next push Flushed Multiple Sora’s of which I shot perfectly. Up until now Adam, who was a little apprehensive on zones of fire etc, had not shot his gun. Rick, who was the gracious host, was determined to change that. The next Sora, that was spotted running, was marked in a clump of Rice. Rick positioned the boat deftly, allowing Adam the best possible angle for a shot. As the rail jumped Adam drew a bead, swung and fired. A beautiful one shot kill. I had to opportunity to see it all from 30 yards away and it was as pretty a scene as Eakins could paint. From there we continued to criss-cross the fresh real estate, putting up Rails every so often. Sometimes they would run and evade us, other times flush wild and make it to the cover of the nearby Woods. All in all it was a wonderful way to live a day. The highlight for me (or low light) was when Frank spotted a larger Cinnamon colored Rail dart through a hole in the rice,” Virginia!” he exclaimed, referring to the somewhat rare and extremely beautiful relative of the Sora, not often seen or taken in these parts. My pulse began to quicken, my neck feel tight, I was amped and anxious to make the shot. The Virginia flushed a mere three feet from the boat and my first shot was rushed and much to quick, I watched as the shot wad opened up 20 feet after it passed the bird. I drew a fresh bead thereafter and swung on the now crossing Rail. The shot echoed of the tree line as I watched the Virginia glide safely to the cover of a cattail stand 40 yards away. Disappointed with my shooting I longed to chase it, but Rick, ever the purist, echoed the refrain, “We ain’t here to chase one bird, let him be!” And so it was. The bird beat me, some would call it Buck fever, or nerves, I call it hunting. Hunting a quarry so noble you let it live out of respect for it all. Respect for the bird, the environment, the tradition. Respect For the opportunity to do something so engaging with good friends, in a free country.

Ricks goal in the hunt was to pass along the tradition to the next generation. I think that was well accomplished. Adam and I added several more Sora’s to our bag. But that was not the true measure of the day. That came in abundance. An abundance of laughs, an abundance of stunning vistas and for Frank and Rick and abundance of Advil that night before bed!

As Rick once said “Rail Hunting is the best few hour hunt you can hope to have” and I for one could not agree more!


The caravan out




Ricks 'glass Skiff


Rick and Adam Heading to the shooting Grounds.



Frank coming over to pick me up from the tender


A boat under construction




Rick working Adam in position for a shot.



Me and the guy doing the work.



Our bag on the front of Franks Boat.



A Video of Adam shot. ( He's still working on the gun mount thing!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZT7FS_zhXs

Rick on a perfect setup. Love the forgiving smile at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS0fMGp9VS8
 
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Awesome stuff. One day I'll do it, I've always been curious and seems like a great way to get out before the ducks open up. Like you I've only ever shot clappers while duck hunting. I feel like my aqua pod could be used as a make shift poling boat but would be limited to being by my self
 
Will, Rick and Frank both hunt solo sometimes. A Wisconsin style gunning box makes this a lot easier. The toughest part will be getting the podcthru the real thick stuff. But early season or lots of birds that would probably be sufficient .
 
When one assigns "respect" for the History, the Traditions and to a bird not much larger than a big sparrow......when they actually "know" that Railbird Hunting was the beginning of Sport Hunting as we know it......when they practice it with the same style boats and effort that those original hunters and pushers did......and when they introduce people to it I think its safe to say that the future of the endeavor is safe.......


Great hunt and thanks for the write up.....one of my favorites of the year......




Steve
 
It sounds like the NJ marshes are hunted a lot harder than ours here in Maine. The idea of the areas I hunt being "shot out" is hard to imagine, as I've never seen anyone who was not part of my party hunting rails, and between my buddies and I we probably put in a total of less than 10 hunter days per season.

Still, if pressure were higher I worry that the 25 bird limit could be a problem.

I'd love to do this out of a boat made for it. We typically hunt rails from a poled MMB sculling boat. The modern, fiberglass, flat bottomed boats work better than traditional round bottomed boats like mine, which can be a real bear to pole through thick rice.
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I can't speak about how an Aquapod would be for this hunt, but I have poled rails solo in the MMB. It's not easy, but if the birds are thick, it can be done. It's a lot more fun with a partner, though!

Even with #7 steel shot, you want to be careful about close shots on rails. A solid hit on a close bird can pretty much strip the breast off the bird. Anyone know a source for #8 steel?
 
jeff Mauricetown new jersey was considered the rail bird capitol of the world back in the day . we still have a few who carry on the tradition , but our problem is we are limited to the few areas low enough to hunt on an average tide . When we do get an above average tide those who still do it prefer to hunt the easy spots and get a longer hunt , rather then hit the areas that dont get hunted on an average tide .
 
Jode thank you for posting and taking part in what is considered a dying art . Not as long as im alive will it die . I love introducing the sport to those who i think would appriciate what it is . Anyone interested in learning more about it or doing it , im always willing to keep it alive . Its been such a big part of my life and i have been fortunite enough to have a father to introduce me to the past . From taking clients to building skiffs , i am a lucky man and feel blessed to do and learn what i have .
 
Very cool stuff.
I've been tempted to stomp around for clappers down here. We have loads of them and nobody hunts them. But it would be all walking, in Juncus marsh, which is known for poking holes in your skin and eyes...
 
Rick, thank you for the continued invites and your Patience with a young hunter. One of the highlights of my year.

Carl, I've stomped for clappers too , I enjoyed this a lot more


Jeff there are some out of the way spots that produce birds, but we have 7 million people here, not many secrets! Still only a few that put in the effort for a small but wonderful prize . I read somewhere this estuary harvests about 1500 Sora a season and has remained steady for the past decade or so.
 
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If you get the urge for a late season duck hunt & clapper stomp, come on down.
Rail season runs through January 18th!
 
Thanks so much for the post. On my bucket list. Just returned from South Jersey to pick up a BBSB with a friend. Having left Long Island 30 years ago, seeing even the limited vistas of the salt marsh on the GSP-where tradition,rail hunting and black duck gunning prevail to this day, is so invigorating.
Thanks again.
 
Good morning, Jode~

What a wonderful tale - WONDERFULLY told! Really fine writing.

I have always longed to hunt these birds in the traditional way. Maybe it's because Thomas Eakins is one of my artistic heroes - and maybe it's because of those sweet vessels.

Congratulations on a memorable day afield - and thank you for sharing the memories so ably.

....now I need to find some Sassafras.....

All the best,

SJS

 
Thanks James. We are fortunate to have a good amount of undeveloped meadow here. Something I don't think I could live without.
 
Thanks Steve. Many small lumber yards deal in Sassafras as it is the closest replacement for Chestnut in old architectural applications. It smells wonderful to work with.
 
Thanks for sharing Jode. Love hunting the railbirds, I need a new boat. Guess I settled on my project for next year.
 
Great story, now you,ve got me wondering if my 15' ghenooe classic will make a railbird skiff!Were being blessed with a lot of high water lately from N.E. winds and we,ve got rails.
 
Great write up Jode. Thanks for the insight to a forgotten world. The FWS estimates that 26,800 rails were harvested last year in the US. The Atlantic flyway harvested 24,500 of those. The Mississippi and Central Flyway hunters harvested 1,300 and 1,000 birds respectively. New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia are typically the high harvest states but South Carolina, Georgia and Florida hunters report killing rails in lesser but reasonable numbers.
 
I was lucky enough to get a follow up invite today with a group of solo Pushers. A little bit different approach. Still very fun and enjoyable.

I took some more detailed shots of the boats used. These were traditionally built by the Independence Seaport in Philadelphia.










Before the hunt



Setting the line


after the hunt



Time with friends, the birds are a bonus.



Just to show ya cant get them all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdpyQ8qkWLI
 
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