pheasant game farms

I’m looking for a place to bring my young pup on her first pheasant hunt. I’m looking for a place that will release around 8-12 birds. I’ve taken to google but would like to hear from you guys. Some require memberships and some I don’t think exist on the interweb. Anywhere along 169 from the cities to Aitkin that you guys would recommend? I’d be willing to drive about 30 minutes off that route.

Thanks for the recommendations!
CC

I am not sure if this place allows non-members but I went there 9 years ago to do exactly what you are planning to: train a dog. Might be a little too far east for you.

http://www.wingsnorth.org/home.html

It was a long time ago that I was there, but Glendorado Shooting Preserve by Princeton was solid.

This is the place unless you are north of metro. Chukars are best for young dogs learning.

https://caribougunclub.com/

not sure where you’re located but Old Vermillion Trail up here in Duluth runs a good operation.

I don’t remember the name of it but there is one west of little falls just off hwy 27. They had chuckers there also last time I was there.

There is one also just north of Cold Spring, gold meadows. Not sure what there bird arrangement is however???

There is also one by granite falls, on hwy 23 again name escapes me.

Thanks all and good info on chukars.

Sand Pines west of St. Cloud is good, but that is farther from 169 than you’re looking.

glenn57 wrote:

I don’t remember the name of it but there is one west of little falls just off hwy 27. They had chuckers there also last time I was there.

Do you mean Rice Creek which is East of Little Falls North of 27?

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>glenn57 wrote:</div>
I don’t remember the name of it but there is one west of little falls just off hwy 27. They had chuckers there also last time I was there.

Do you mean Rice Creek which is East of Little Falls North of 27?

Yea I was driving the wrong direction !!🥴🥴

I’ve been to Sand Pines and they were pretty flexible as long as you go on a weeknight. They let us do 6 if I remember right but even that was too many probably. 8-12 is a lot especially if they put you in a smaller area. I’d call around and see who will let you scratch hunt, they have plenty of birds out in the fields already. I guess if it’s a flushing dog it doesn’t matter as much but tripping over birds everywhere they turn isn’t conducive to a pointer learning anything in my opinion.

Another option is you can probably buy some birds from Oakwood Game Farm and do something on your own a little more controlled. Pull some flight feathers, hold them by the feet and spin them around a few times, and they’ll stay about where you put them. Pheasants are mean as hell though and will kill each other if they are together so either get a couple extra or have some way to divide them in a box.

Reef W wrote:

Another option is you can probably buy some birds from Oakwood Game Farm and do something on your own a little more controlled. Pull some flight feathers, hold them by the feet and spin them around a few times, and they’ll stay about where you put them. Pheasants are mean as hell though and will kill each other if they are together so either get a couple extra or have some way to divide them in a box.

I thought about this earlier too in my previous post because it would be a lot cheaper than going to a game farm. But the issue is hauling a bunch of live birds around which is why I didn’t suggest it. Glad you did though Reef.

For training purposes all you really need to get started are birds. You dont have to shoot them. You can take your dog to WMA’s, ditches, anywhere there are birds and get them in the game. When I was young that was the ONLY way we trained. There were no fancy game farms for us. I never even heard of one until I was an adult. (I know, am I really an adult yet?) Your gas money to the nearest birds might be a lot cheaper option. When you boil it down, training and instinct aside, experience and number of bird encounters is what makes a bird dog.

suzuki wrote:

For training purposes all you really need to get started are birds. You dont have to shoot them. You can take your dog to WMA’s, ditches, anywhere there are birds and get them in the game. When I was young that was the ONLY way we trained. There were no fancy game farms for us. I never even heard of one until I was an adult. (I know, am I really an adult yet?) Your gas money to the nearest birds might be a lot cheaper option. When you boil it down, training and instinct aside, experience and number of bird encounters is what makes a bird dog.

Moneys no object as I’m a member of IDO

Good advice suzuki and I’ll definitely be doing that as well. I’m at that stage of training where I want her to learn what happens after I shot (insert joke), as I’m starting to put all the pieces together now. I think Rice creek and caribou gun club both work!

Thanks all.

I’m heading to Caibou next wed with my pup. I’ll have her out with the old dog Grouse hunting on Friday. Every little bit helps. My goldens adolescents is lasting a long time but showing clear signs of fading. She’ll be a different dog next year.