I headed out on Monday morning west of New Ulm in hopes of some Roosters in the snow. A guy I work with has been interested in hunting and wanted to tag along. I figured another body keeping the birds from running around me and the dog would help. We hit one very large wma and found the birds holding very well in the snow. We pushed the thickets into the cattails and I got two nice shots on two nice close flushes, but no birds 
. I have been having trouble with my auto in the cold weather so I pulled out the pump and that may have been the reason for the poor shooting, at least that is what I think 
. We continued to push the cattails across the wma into an area where I knew had some heavy grass and the birds may stop running. The dog was flushing random hens left and right, with no roosters. As we reached the grass I could tell the dog was right on the tail of a bird. He reached the grass and stopped on a dime and dove head first into the grass. Out busts a rooster and after a one shot miss three hens bust and another rooster. I hit the rooster with the two shots I had left and had one bird down 
. As the dog returns the bird two more roosters and numerous hens flush nearly under my feet. Nothing like flushing birds and an empty gun 
.
We hunted two other smaller wma with at least a few more wasted shots 
. We ended on a larger wma with only one small area of cattails. We headed straight for the slough and as soon as we got to the edge the dog flushed two birds. Bang, one shot and I was done 
.
It was a lot of walking, flushing and for this guy a lot of pulling the trigger for only two birds. It was a blast the birds are still thick, but smart.
Today, I woke up to snow falling and the dog wanting to go out. I had to be to work at 2pm and thought I would take the dog out for some mid season training. I decided instead to hit a wma that is very close to my house. I have never hit it and figured with the snow it would give the dog another good workout. It is a small 50 acre area with mainly frozen swamp. We pushed it quick and found two roosters hanging in the trees on the far end of the swamp. Smacked them both and headed home to get ready for work. They were the only two birds I saw and both were roosters. Sure is nice to shoot a couple birds within 15 min of home 
I am having a blast and the dog is doing FANTASTIC 
. I make a lot of weekday trips alone and it sure would be nice to pair up with someone to help corner these smart birds. Anyone interested let me know
The first photo is me with the elmer fud hat and yesterdays birds. The 2nd is my 19 month old with todays surprise birds. Have Fun!
