Quick preserve hunt

[ness]

1 hour ago, Gumboot said:

Good looking bird dogs, and nothing better than gettin out with your son.  Eckman does a good job.  As far as wild birds this year, I don't think you're missing a whole lot.  Walked just over 15 miles this weekend and moved two small covey.  Shot one bird so the dogs could get one in their mouth, but even felt guilty about that one.

Thanks. Curious where you went? I haven't heard much good about Kansas this year. 

 

 

[ness]

12 hours ago, Terrierman said:

I know the dogs enjoyed it the most of anyone there.  For that alone, well worth it. 

 

Yeah, this is in their genes, they love it, and it's always a big part of it. I've done some hunts without dogs and besides it being more of a crap shoot, it's just not as fun without the dog work.

Here's a crappy picture of the point Ruby did that was so nice. She was zig-zagging back and forth and then just froze. I stayed where I was because I wanted it to play out. Ruby's body facing to about 2:00, and her head cranked back toward the bird. She held it really well before the bird flushed. Came right at me, over my head and as it always seems to go with shots like that it took me two tries. 

Edit: that's hard to see even on my desktop! But, she's in there. 

[Mitch f]

20 hours ago, ness said:

Yeah, this is in their genes, they love it, and it's always a big part of it. I've done some hunts without dogs and besides it being more of a crap shoot, it's just not as fun without the dog work.

Here's a crappy picture of the point Ruby did that was so nice. She was zig-zagging back and forth and then just froze. I stayed where I was because I wanted it to play out. Ruby's body facing to about 2:00, and her head cranked back toward the bird. She held it really well before the bird flushed. Came right at me, over my head and as it always seems to go with shots like that it took me two tries. 

Edit: that's hard to see even on my desktop! But, she's in there. 

Dogs are so fun! Used to Field Trial labs back in the 90’s. 

[Gumboot]

I tend to hang out in north central KS and it’s equivalent in Nebraska. Things have really changed over last 25 years I’ve been here.  

[ness]

25 minutes ago, Gumboot said:

I tend to hang out in north central KS and it’s equivalent in Nebraska. Things have really changed over last 25 years I’ve been here.  

Haven’t hunted there much but did around Concordia and Beloit a few years back. Such great looking country that they ought to be there!

[Gumboot]

I hunted just west of Marysville today. Saw 3 separate bulldozer operations where they were “cleaning up” hedge rows and waterways. There’s no where for the birds to go. Limped the last part of the day. Same issue as you. 

[jdmidwest]

Jobsite yesterday was a little local hunting club and clay range.  My job took me back to the bird pens and the dog kennels.  Pheasants, chukkar, and quail.  I may buy a pheasant hen to cook, I have not had that since I was a kid.  We raised them on the farm as a kid and my uncles used to bring them back from South Dakota each year on hunts.  I will not mess any meat with shot.

Funny story from the caretaker, they rent dogs.  Booked a hunt, asked customer if they needed dogs.  "Nope, we have some".  Are they any good?  "No, but they can run around and scare birds up".

Paid for 25 Pheasant, killed 9.  Should have rented a dog.....

Upland birds were never my thing, I became a rifleman and a pistol guy.  Scatterguns were never my favorite.  And my attitude with dogs, they really have to work, or they don't get to hunt with me.  Kinda like people in my life.  Smart ones get the pass.  Dumb ones, well, its hard to find a use for them.

[ness]

49 minutes ago, Gumboot said:

I hunted just west of Marysville today. Saw 3 separate bulldozer operations where they were “cleaning up” hedge rows and waterways. There’s no where for the birds to go. Limped the last part of the day. Same issue as you. 

Geez. Hate to hear about all the habitat being destroyed. Nice you got out today-I was at a desk all day. Sorry to hear about the knee. 

[ness]

16 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

Upland birds were never my thing, I became a rifleman and a pistol guy.  Scatterguns were never my favorite.  And my attitude with dogs, they really have to work, or they don't get to hunt with me.  Kinda like people in my life.  Smart ones get the pass.  Dumb ones, well, its hard to find a use for them.

Too bad everybody’s got to pass the test with you. You’re missing some of the greatest joys in life. 

[DADAKOTA]

Real good spot in Central Missouri for a preserve type hunt is the String Creek Game Bird Farm - (573) 796-4282 in Centertown, MO.  Tom runs a top notch operation.