The key feature to find on coastal properties is stands of switchcane, which is a reed that grows in the transition zone between pine uplands and bottomland swamps. You can successfully work switchcane for woodcock with or without a dog.

As you move away from the coast, any public property is good. Places like the sprawling Sumter National Forest is as good a spot as any. Here, you might still find some switchcane, but more likely, you will be searching the edge of beaver ponds and other similar wetland types.

No matter what type of habitat you are searching for woodcock, their telltale sign is splashes of white poop about the size of a quarter. Woodcock season generally runs during most of January and the bag limit is three birds.

"Snipe are a wonderful game bird that are overlooked," Dukes said. "They offer great wingshooting and they're abundant, once you know where to look.

"A good place to find snipe is along the margins of the state's major reservoirs. These lakes often get drawn down during the winter exposing mud flats in the process. Snipe are shorebirds who don't mind being in the open probing flats for something to eat."

Snipe are well camouflaged, and you will more than likely nearly step on them before they flush, uttering a snappy call during the rise.

"Another good spot to find snipe is flooded agricultural fields," Dukes said. "If we get a lot of rain during the winter, scout these fields. Flooded dove fields are an awesome spot to find snipe."

Because of the flat topography, wet dove fields on coastal WMAs are probably your best public lands bet.

Snipe season usually closes at the end of February. The daily bag limit is eight birds.

Rails get a look by some coastal hunters, but it is usually a small dedicated bunch. Salt marshes from Hilton Head to North Inlet have huntable clapper rail populations. What's needed is a shallow-draft boat and a flood tide. Anytime the scheduled tide is 6.6 feet or above for the upper coast or 8.6 feet or above for the lower coast, the water should be high enough to float for rails, also called marsh hens by some folks.

Crows are the last species that don't get much attention but are fun to hunt. The season runs from Nov. 1 to March 1 and there is no bag limit. Electronic calls are permissible on both public and private lands.

Set up along powerline rights-of-way, fields or wildlife openings and turn on the call. Crows will be descending on your location within minutes. After the action subsides, pack up and move a mile or so away and repeat the process. It is unlimited fun.

No matter which species of small game you're going after, be certain to consult the Rules and Regulations booklet and the Migratory Game Bird brochure before going afield