Woodcock are shot as quarry species in the UK while also being a species of conservation concern. Welfare considerations apply to both wild and released populations.
Woodcock welfare spans breeding season disturbance, hunting mortality, and injured bird welfare. Birds shot but not retrieved may suffer from wounds before death. Ground nesting exposes eggs and chicks to predation and human disturbance. Conservation guidelines recommend avoiding shooting of migrant and resident woodcock until more is known about population status.