I was thinking of doing a North Central IA rooster hunt this weekend. What do you guys think? Think I should hold off, being that it is the 2nd Shotgun opener? Don’t want to get in anyones way! A pheasant isn’t worth getting my butt chewed that’s for sure.
With the warm weather were looking at for this Sat/Sunday I’m sure alot of the deer hunters will be doing pheasant type hunting.As in they will be working draws and waterways for their deer.
Also the upland count for NC Iowa was WAY down.
Ryan Hale
With the warm weather were looking at for this Sat/Sunday I’m sure alot of the deer hunters will be doing pheasant type hunting.As in they will be working draws and waterways for their deer.
Also the upland count for NC Iowa was WAY down.
Ryan Hale
Can’t always believe those published bird counts. If anything, at least in our area, I’ve seen more birds this year than I did the last three. Nick and I just topped 50 birds for the year last friday, just gotta find ’em.
Can’t always believe those published bird counts. If anything, at least in our area, I’ve seen more birds this year than I did the last three. Nick and I just topped 50 birds for the year last friday, just gotta find ’em.
Well weekend was too short as usuall, but did manage to get out and hunt some birds. My dad and I got over and hunted for about 2 1/2 hours on sunday (yep, in the 30+ mph wind). It was a little tough for the dog to work in the wind, but she managed to put us on 3 roosters. Ended up seeing about a dozen or so birds, and birds at every place that we hunted. From the very little that I did hunt I would have to say the bird numbers are similar to last year. I never was much for those road side counts though!
Well weekend was too short as usuall, but did manage to get out and hunt some birds. My dad and I got over and hunted for about 2 1/2 hours on sunday (yep, in the 30+ mph wind). It was a little tough for the dog to work in the wind, but she managed to put us on 3 roosters. Ended up seeing about a dozen or so birds, and birds at every place that we hunted. From the very little that I did hunt I would have to say the bird numbers are similar to last year. I never was much for those road side counts though!
Duckilr,
The roadside counts are just something to give you a figure. Hard to say if they are even remotely close, but from what I heard the birds were 40 some odd percent down from last year. I guess you think different, which is good news I would have to say. Heading to central IA this weekend to visit some relatives, so I hope I can get out. Let the fun begin. 
Duckilr,
The roadside counts are just something to give you a figure. Hard to say if they are even remotely close, but from what I heard the birds were 40 some odd percent down from last year. I guess you think different, which is good news I would have to say. Heading to central IA this weekend to visit some relatives, so I hope I can get out. Let the fun begin.
Did manage to find time to get out and do a couple walks on Sat. morning. Ended up being a great day to. No more then got in the 1st field and the pup kicked up her 1st bird (a hen). With the dog only being 8 months old and finally getting her first real test (besides training) of rooster hunting I thought it was going to be a long day. Little did she prove me wrong, but she actually showed me she means business when she hits the field. Kicked up 5 more birds in that field with 2 being roosters. I did manage to knock down 1, but they were a little jumpy and not sure why with the wind blowing 20+ mph and freezing COLD out. Hens held nice, but that is just par for the course.
Second field was a little big for a one man crew and his dog, but I was more just wanting to work the dog then really kill my birds. Didn’t take to long before the first lock happened though and out came a rooster. Nothing better then that. After years of hunting over labs, this makes life a little easier or atleast a little easier on a guys arms. Ended up walking out 1/2 of the field, but with the pup starting to slow up and my legs getting a little tired I decided to head back to the truck. Got about half way back and she kicked up another bird and it just happened to be a rooster. Again, not sure why these birds were so jumpy, but I did manage to knock it down.
All in all I it was a great day getting my limit and the dog working very, very well for the first real test. I guess bird wise, I was really not impressed to much. We didn’t cover to much ground, but only seeing 8 total birds I wasn’t impressed by the numbers at all.
Good luck to everyone this season.
Did manage to find time to get out and do a couple walks on Sat. morning. Ended up being a great day to. No more then got in the 1st field and the pup kicked up her 1st bird (a hen). With the dog only being 8 months old and finally getting her first real test (besides training) of rooster hunting I thought it was going to be a long day. Little did she prove me wrong, but she actually showed me she means business when she hits the field. Kicked up 5 more birds in that field with 2 being roosters. I did manage to knock down 1, but they were a little jumpy and not sure why with the wind blowing 20+ mph and freezing COLD out. Hens held nice, but that is just par for the course.
Second field was a little big for a one man crew and his dog, but I was more just wanting to work the dog then really kill my birds. Didn’t take to long before the first lock happened though and out came a rooster. Nothing better then that. After years of hunting over labs, this makes life a little easier or atleast a little easier on a guys arms. Ended up walking out 1/2 of the field, but with the pup starting to slow up and my legs getting a little tired I decided to head back to the truck. Got about half way back and she kicked up another bird and it just happened to be a rooster. Again, not sure why these birds were so jumpy, but I did manage to knock it down.
All in all I it was a great day getting my limit and the dog working very, very well for the first real test. I guess bird wise, I was really not impressed to much. We didn’t cover to much ground, but only seeing 8 total birds I wasn’t impressed by the numbers at all.
Good luck to everyone this season.
lock
lock
Anyone getting out these next few days to kill any roosters? Wish I could, but with x-mas it is leaving little to no time for hunting. Hoping to get out Friday A.M. for a little shoot, but we will have to see what mama has planned. Talking highs in the teens as well, which doesn’t let a guy get out for to long.
Good luck to all that make it out and have a safe and happy holiday..
Anyone getting out these next few days to kill any roosters? Wish I could, but with x-mas it is leaving little to no time for hunting. Hoping to get out Friday A.M. for a little shoot, but we will have to see what mama has planned. Talking highs in the teens as well, which doesn’t let a guy get out for to long.
Good luck to all that make it out and have a safe and happy holiday..
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