A quick update, while waiting for the kids to wake

A LOOSE ONE.

My dad and I got out yesterday afternoon for a few hours again after helping the brother in law retrieve his cattle semi. Our plan was to simply road hunt as the snow was gettin deep and I was the only person with any drive to shoot another pheasant. This reminded me of my younger days with the old guy. We spent many hours bouncing around SD hunting this wiley birds.

Yesterday the conditions were not very nice, 20mph winds, 0 degrees. We spotted 100’s of birds, often times just to close to a farmer’s yard or cattle. It’s just fun seeing the large bunches of birds this time of year.

We did get lucky enough to run into 4 different bunches that offered up shot opportunities. However, my shooting skills are not what they once were. Oh well, I had fun. I was able to make two great side to side swinging shots only two miss two flying straight away layups.

Had a first yesterday, see the pic of the younger of the two ring necks. He has white spurs. Never seen anything like it in my 28 years of chasing these beautiful creatures.

Merry Christmas all!!

Merry Christams Kooty !!! White spurs ???

Thanks for the update Kooty

Merry Christmas

White spurs are strange

Have a safe drive home

Nice looking birds, looks like fun

How much snow is out there Koots?

Nice!

If you didn’t miss once in awhile it would get boring

How’s it looking for next weekend

Chappy, I’m west of Aberdeen about 70 miles. We don’t have a lot of snow, probably 5-6 inches of new since we arrived. However, the wind is out of control, like a normal SD day. We have 33 mph sustained right now. Making even leaving the house a challenge. I think it’s still snowing?? Suppose to get another 12 inches ove the next 36 hours.

Steve,
I’ve got board approval for all day Friday fishing. Just a bit nervous if I’ll be able to get around on Mille Lacs with the wheeler given the amount of snow you guys are getting. Let’s play it by ear. No matter what, I’m in for some fishing either way. May have to finally break down and get chains.

I’m trying to line up at least one sled maybe two if I’m lucky, I’ll ket you know

I know someone with a sled….

Friday, 1 week from today. I’ll be in touch. We plan to drive up early and hit the mud. The more the merrier.

Any rooster during the late season is a good one!

Congrats Kooty!

Kooty Im heading out for new years and was wondering if you could give me a snow total so far? I know it could snow more but the weather guesser says it doesn’t look like it will. rumor has it that the Dakotas only got 6 to 8 inches but its been the wind making things tough. let me know
thanks,
Waller

Just got back from SD, You’ll “see” 100’s of birds. The sloughs and shelter belts are full of snow, very tough walking. There very spooky. Like Kooty said, very windy from weds to sat. I didnt hunt, I was the designated driver

Corey,

I’d say somewhere in the 6-10″ of snow. However, the high winds made for some massive drifts. We left on Saturday at noon. Our trip home consisted of pretty good highways throughout all of North central SD. From Milbank east to Benson was a nightmare, glassy ice, 30mph tops. From Benson to Cold Spring was snow packed, but able to drive the speed limit. From Cold Spring to Monticello, good roads.

I saw over a 1000 birds Saturday afternoon on my trip home. In western Mn, the birds were out feeding thick. I’m sure all 100 birds in this state were standing by the highway.

Give me a call if you want me to check with anyone locally for up to date info.

Thanks bud

Nicely done Koots!