During the winters of 1974-75 and 1975-76, the regional distribution patterns ofAmerican woodcock (Philohela minor) in North Carolina were determined from harvest and banding surveys. Woodcock were common transients in all regions ofNorth Carolina but were common winter residents only in the central and eastern regions. Immatures were more abundant among birds collected in coastal counties than in interior counties, and males were disproportionately common in western counties. Woodcock were numerous in the vicinity ofNew Holland, Hyde County, and 341 were banded in 17 night-lighting trips. It appears that woodcock abundance patterns vary from western counties to eastern counties and that a split season may be needed to equitably distribute hunting opportunity. Excellent opportunities for wintering ground banding exist in northeastern North Carolina.
