Any Bird Hunters Out There?

[Justin Spencer]

Got back yesterday from my trip out west, 2 days driving 2 days hunting. We hunted hard walking miles and miles of CRP, milo stubble, wheat stubble, and waterways. Hunting was tough, seemed to be birds around but were concentrated on areas we weren't hunting. We killed 21 birds over the 2 days between 9 of us and like usual left several we should have killed. We walked by some birds in thick cover that would get up behind us, and some would flush wild, but for the most part I think the birds were sitting super tight. With mostly young dogs I think we walked over quite a few birds. My dog Finn did great finding at least 4 long cripples that we would have never found, including one that must have been winged by other hunters. Several of his flushes we thought were mice as the birds would hold tight as he was digging into clumps of grass (felt like preserve pheasants). It was fun to get together with old friends and walk a truely unique part of the country. Amazing how the grass and gullies hold tons of big deer (both whitetails and muleys) as well as tons of jackrabbits. While we got our share of birds we worked extremely hard to get them I'm sore and worn out from the long drive, glad to be back at the river. Hunted until dark both days and cleaned birds by headlight so I forgot to get any pictures.

[ness]

Old friends, beautiful country, tough walking, dogs working, missed shots, outwitted by birds, total fatigue, sore muscles, long drives -- that's pheasant hunting. Sounds like a great trip to me! I gotta get another trip scheduled.

[Justin Spencer]

Nothing beats that flush when you realize it is a rooster and go to blastin'

[ness]

Phil -- am I remembering correctly that you're from Pratt? I think I saw that somewhere. We hunted Pratt & Greensburg area over the weekend. Lotsa birds this year but really wet and muddy and hard to get around.

Bumping this because I bet Phil missed my question. That, or he's scared I'm stalking him or trying to crowd in on his hunting trip (I'm not)

I've been talking with some guys about heading back out in a couple weeks -- we'll probably do Greensburg area again. Lotsa birds according to the reports I'm seeing.

[brittsnbirds]

Been avoiding this topic until today and could not resist reading. You guys sure bring back memories.

I'm the proud owner of 3 Britts (brittsnbirds). My 2 Males just turned 14 and the little girl "Dixie" is the daughter of my stud, she turned 6. Last fall she had knee surgery then around Thanksgiving she came down with Pancreitis. I learned a big lesson, do not give your dogs any pork!! That one cost me BIG, just about lost her.

I use to hunt up in Iowa until that hunt dried up. Dixie was just coming on when things went south with the people up there. Broke the old dogs in on Roosters in the Russell Ks area. That too was a good hunt until the guy we hunted with moved.

Very nervous about putting Dixie back in the field with her $500.00 knee. Every once in a while she appears to hurt it. Checked it out with her vet, he says everything is tight.

Once the old dogs are gone I may get the Benelli out and tune Dixie up and try it again.

Keep up the post's. It feels good to read about your adventures!!

[Phil Lilley]

Sorry ness- I didn't check this thread.

I am from Parsons - close in spelling but not in location.

We are leaving for Greensburg a week from today and hunting through Monday. We stay in Greensburg and hunt north and south of Greensburg. My wife's parents grew up in Mullinville so they know a lot of people out there. We hunt mostly private ground but honestly the walk on ground is just as productive.

Good to hear there's birds out there. We're due for a decent year. We'll have a few dogs with us this year too- that will help on the cripples at least.

Spencer- where did you go last weekend? Sounds like you went N and W in Kansas if you saw mule deer. We see dozens of white tails around Mullinville.

[Phil Lilley]

http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/

Was checking the Ks site for something and watched the video on the home page- I love it!

[ness]

Phil -- there's a ton of good WIHA around Greensburg. I hunted that and some private land north of there. There's a good Mexican restaurant right next to the motel on the highway, BTW. Possibility we'll be out there next weekend too.

brittsnbirds -- tough break on your younger one. We've got a couple britts so I always notice your name and avatar. One is 10 and slowing down some. Got a pup a couple years ago so we'd have new blood coming in.

Here they are at the motel evening of opening day:

I try not to spoil them.

[Phil Lilley]

Same motel we stay in. The Mexican place was open last year... nice addition to the town's choices of eateries.

If you're out there, may be we can join up and cover some big pieces of ground. I think we have around 10-12 hunters going.

[ness]

OK -- I'll PM you if we end up going. It's about 50-50 right now.