Pheasant hunting

[Gooch]

How many of you go pheasant hunting? I've never been, but have several friends that go quite a bit. I already know that I like to eat them, but I would like to go and shoot a few. The price at www.showmebirds.com (http://www.showmebirds.com/) seems very affordable and they are located just west of Joplin over in Kansas. I'm not going because they advertise on here. It just seems like it would be a very fun short trip to do something I've never done. I'll probably take my old side by side.

[Bodcau boy]

I have been invited on a quail hunt up in the panhandle of Oklahoma. I am not sure of the exact location as it don't matter much to me. The fellow said there were so many quail that we would not even fool with singles. That will be something new for me, but I am adaptable. :biggrin: The fellow who invited us said there are pheasant there. I hope to at least get a look at one as I have never seen, much less ate one. We are hoping to go up there in November.

[Gooch]

Good luck to you Bodcau Boy! Sounds like you'll be having a good time. I sure wish that we could get pheasants started here in Arkansas!:biggrin:

[varmit_master]

Hi i have been out to Russell Ks 6 times bird hunting. And i love it one thing i didnt like when we got into some quail they didnt want to take time out and hunt the singles. He said we are out here to hunt pheasants not quail. :smack: It was my father in law and there family memebers. They have a bunch of farm ground my father in law goes 2 times a yr out there. They are a bunch of ducks too pheasants every where. VM :thumb:

[bird dog]

Hope to someday?

One konck against Arkansas, NO pheasant.


Phesant Consentration.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/dro456/Phesants001.gif

[Gooch]

Thanks for posting that chart bird dog. I've heard all kind of reasons why pheasants will not mulitply in Arkansas. That is why I want to give this Show-Me Birds a shot. They are not that far away from where we live.

[varmit_master]

Hey pgooch I too wish we had them here i like hunting them and they are also good eatin too . There is a place i seen on the way to El Passo turn there at Rose Bud. And go that way and i seen the name of the place on a sign. Like you are wanting to hunt. VM :thumb:

[Gooch]

Thanks VM. I'll have to check this place out too. I would just like to hunt them once, just so that I can say that I have. It looks fun!:biggrin:

[bird dog]

Bird reports seem good for 05, even though I wont be part of the count. Would love to go to South Dakota and hunt.



2005 Pheasant Hunting Forecast
The Top Tier of Pheasant States
(In Alphabetical Order)
Overview: The 2005 pheasant season should prove to be a year to remember. Across nearly the entire pheasant range, pheasant numbers are up thanks to quality Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands, Pheasants Forever chapter habitat projects, a series of mild winters, and advantageous spring weather. In fact, South Dakota experts report their pheasant population to be at a 40-year high. For many states, 2003 was the high-water mark for pheasant populations in the post-Soil Bank era. Cold spring rains hurt nesting and brooding success last year and resulted in a drop for 2004. However, this year's forecast shows nearly every pheasant range state to be up and 2005 should challenge 2003 for total pheasant harvest numbers across the range. The following six states are considered to be the top tier of pheasant states based on annual average harvests of 400,000 or more birds a season.
NOTE: ALWAYS CONSULT STATE HUNTING REGULATIONS AND SEASON DATES BEFORE EVER TAKING TO THE FIELD

Iowa: There was a 30% drop in harvested birds to a total of 750,000 in 2004. Nevertheless, Iowa remains the second biggest pheasant state and this year should reinforce that position. This year's roadside survey showed a 19% increase from 2004. The central part of the state showed the largest gain from 2004 with a 45% jump, while the northeast and northcentral rebounded from 2004's drenching rains to show double digit increases. Surveys indicate the northwest to hold the highest overall bird densities. Season: Oct. 29 - Jan. 10

Kansas: Bird numbers were up last year with hunters harvesting 685,000 birds in 2004 compared to 646,000 in 2003. That trend should continue this year as April rains greened up the wheat to conceal nesting hens. Nesting success and chick survival should also have been high with the weather drying out in May and June. Expect the biggest improvements in western Kansas. Season: Nov. 12 - Jan. 31

Minnesota: The 2003 pheasant season was MN's best in over a decade with hunters harvesting over 500,000 roosters. Like Iowa, bird numbers dropped significantly in '04, but Minnesotans still managed to bag over 420,000 birds last year. This year, that harvest number should climb back over half a million with roadside counts showing a whopping 75% increase over last year. That dramatic increase is attributed to more habitat on the ground than any time in the last 15 years, four consecutive mild winters, and warm spring weather. The southwest and southcentral regions showed the best bird densities. Season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 1

Nebraska: The biggest gainer last year with hunters harvesting over 406,000 birds, up from 368,000 in 2003. A cold and wet early June hurt early nesting success, but improved weather after June 10th helped late nesters and re-nesters. Roadside counts show the state's western half making gains, while the eastern half's numbers declined or held steady. Overall, there was a 9% increase in birds determined by the August roadside survey. The southwest had the state's highest average counts. Season: Oct. 29 - Jan. 31

North Dakota: Cold May rains were likely rough on early nesters, but landowners are reporting good numbers throughout the state thanks to summer rains greening up brooding cover. Hunters should expect a modest increase from 2004 when 587,600 birds were harvested. The southeast had the best spring nesting weather and will be the best region of the state again this year. South of Interstate 94 across N.D. is considered to be the state's best range. Season: Oct. 8 - Jan. 8

South Dakota: S.D. Department of Game, Fish, and Parks reported that their annual brood survey was higher in 2005 than any time in the last 40 years. Almost every area of the state showed at least 10 year highs with a 21% increase from 2004. South Dakota's CRP, combined with mild winters and a favorable spring equals big pheasant numbers. Hunters may bag as many as 2 million S.D. roosters in 2005. There is no doubt that South Dakota will earn its title as the Pheasant Capital in 2005. Season: Oct. 16 - Jan. 2

[reflex1]

South Dakota definitely has some pheasants. I hunted there during the early/mid sixties and it was phenomenal then!

[varmit_master]

HI pgooch there was add in Sundy's paper. The yellow Rose Game Bird Ranch.
Hunt quail pheasant chukar's. The number was 501 882 2348 or 601 412 2291 Hope this Helps. VM

[Hagen]

You can't go wrong by going to Kansas. They have a program call WIHA (Walk-In Hunting Areas) with over 1 million acres enrolled. You can get a county map showing the areas. All you need to hunt is a resident or non-resident ($73.00) small game hunting license. We have had some great quail/pheasant hunts. I try to go twice a year and have been hunting there since 1998. Check out their web site at www.kdwp.com.

[Gooch]

Thanks for all the information. I just need to get off my rear and do it!:wink:

[2dogs]

pgooch
I have been to "Show Me Birds" before. I met Kim Shira at the big buck classic years ago. He offered a good deal then and still offers a good deal. I have been pheasant hunting for several years now. It is the closest thing to a wild hunt you can get. Kim and his employees go to great lengths to make your trip everything you want it to be. I took my father-in-law one Thanksgiving.

My friends and I started off in SW Kansas we migrated to N central, central, S central. If I had to pick one place that was better than any other in Kansas it would be areas surrounding Larned. I talked to the local conservation officers every year we went to narrow down the areas we hunted. As someone said earlier, they have plenty of Walk In Hunting Areas (WIHA) areas. Depending on the size of the group you plan to hunt with you need to map out your stratagies. We don't like to hunt with many people because of the safety factor. Typically it is just 3 or 4 of us plus dogs. If you dont have a good dog, I wish you luck. Too often you won't make the shot you think you did, the bird hits the ground running and I mean running. Without dogs several cripples can and will get lost. Most land owners are willing to let you hunt just for the asking. The standard rule we have learned is that if it isn't posted, close to a house, or have cattle on it most folks don't mind, however, we have always asked and have been told to come back anytime. We always made it point to write down names, phone numbers and addresses if we could figure them out to call on them the next year.

The last 5 or 6 years we have been going to a private land owner's property in South Dakota. Don't let anyone kid you, there is NO subsitute for pheasant hunting in South Dakota. Limit is 3 birds each. Last year on opening day 4 of us limited out in 27 minutes on opening day in a cat tail meadow. We've called the "money hole" for years. The other biggest benefit to hunting in SD is the hunting doesn't start until 12 noon the first week and 10 every morning after daylight savings time.

In Kansas, we started and sunup and didn't finish until dark. We have always refused to use guide services, because we have enjoyed learning as we go. It took some research to get it right or I should say close to right. We are far from the knowledge base that locals have on the subject because we only go once a year, twice if we are lucky.

If you have any questions call me. I can share what little I know. Remember, I am in Morrilton with you.

[Gooch]

Will do!:biggrin:

[CDay]

Pheasant prefer a differnt soil type than we have here in Arkansas. Also they prefer open flat land don't take to forest to well. I have seen some in the boot hill of Missouri. I used to hunted them in Indiana some. Great eating I usually get about 4 to 6 every year from a guy that goes to South Dakota. He gives me pheasents and I give him deer jerky, so it works out pretty good.

[bird dog]

Found this painting today, while surfing. Have never hunted pheasant, but I really liked the setting here. Reminds me of "the old days" of small farm hunting, (beautiful fall days) before the days of purple paint came along and eveyone seemed more friendly.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/dro456/ShorthairPointerandPheasantArtwork.jpg

[varmit_master]

Hi is the dog a German Short Hair bird dog. It looks just like my couisn dog. I like to watch a bird dog work. VM :thumb:

[bird dog]

Yes

Both are German shorthairs (GSP's).

[Ike Brown]

I just moved from SD the amount of birds east river is beyond description.

The sight and cound of a rooster taking off gets the blood pumping.

You do need a dog, otherwise they will just run out ahead of you

[Ike Brown]

We hunted a ranch at the end of the season last year. Here is a pic.

http://hartoutdoors.com/birdhunting.html

[bird dog]

Is it dark like Duck-Dove or light like Quail?

[Hagen]

Bird Dog, pheasant meat is more like quail than duck or dove. I wouldn't say they are light like chicken. This weekends weather should be good for running the dog don't ya think?

[Ike Brown]

Most people only eat the breast. I take the rest of the bird after I take off the breast and make a corn chowder, it is great.

Alot of folks like to cook the breast up in cream. I usually cut them in strips, dip in corn meal and quick fry.

Chukar could be argued the best eating, all white meat.

Huns are pretty good too.

[varmit_master]

Hi Ike that is what we done with the breast and we would take the legs and make dumping. I TRIED one praire chicken it was my first and last. I wont hunt them when i go back out there.VM :thumb:

[CDay]

I got twelve of them in the freezer. Going to salt cure and slow smoke some of them next week. Also like to inject them with a butter creole and put them on the roastistor or breadem up and deep fry them. :thumb:

[Cache]

I've hunted the past two years at a pheasant farm near Damascus. We had about 8 people go on each trip and we had a blast. They set out about 50/50 roosters and hens and furnish a dog and guide.

For pen raised pheasant, it doesnt get any better. But, I'm also hoping to work out a trip to Kansas , Nebraska or SD one day.

Cache

[varmit_master]

Hi Cache if i could i would try out S.D. I think it is the best bird hunting state around. I have hunted KS and love it killed alot of birds over the yr. And we got into alot of qauil :eek: . I seen more qauil in one week in KS than i hole life in Arkansas. When we got into the qauil we kill them when they flew. But my uncle that live out in KS he said we didnt have time to hunt the singles. :smack: lol. Becasue we was pheasant hunting . I would have love to take the time and hunted the single's . And i fount one yr i took my over and under out there with me. Well i get my 2 shots and wanted to keep pulling the trigger . Becasue the qauil was still coming up. After that my auto loader went back with me. Had some GREAT hunts out there wish we had as many qauil as they do. VM :thumb:

[Cache]

VM,

I've heard from several people SD is the place to go. Just a matter of time and money for me, but I'll get there. :biggrin:

I love to hunt quail too, and there hasnt been any to speak of in Arkansas for years. The place where we Pheasant hunt have pen raised quail too, and we plan to do a Pheasant and a Quail hunt this year.

Cache

[varmit_master]

Hi the most place i hunt in Ks is my wife's family owned land. All the birds are wild. I have jumped some monster bucks out there bird hunting. I have also killed coyotes beded down in the tall grass . The wind would be blowing hard and i would get up in shotgun range of them and kill them. I think my father in law is going out there the first weekend of season. VM

[varmit_master]

Hi pgooch my father in law i think is going to head out for KS in a week or so. Wish i was going. lol VM:thumb: