Next year

A

allaboutthedux

New member
Cancelled my trip to Kansas due to the poor forecast for this season. Looks like I'll be in a rice field in Arkansas killin dux this year but I hope to bring my Dad next season if things change. 2 questions for the Kansas residents? Is Cloud County traditionally a good pheasant and quail area? Secondly, what do you think the odds are of next season being improved and what does it take for a quick turnaround in numbers? Thanks for anyone's input.:)
 
Cloud County usually average to above average for upland bird hunting. Next year all depends on the weather. Find someone who can predict next year's weather. Next year Cloud County may be the best upland hunting in the state - or the worst.
 
Last edited:
In my opinion and I am by no means a biologist nor have I ever played one on TV or anywhere else, it all depends on the weather and mother nature.

One perfect nesting season will certainly help numbers it will by no means provide a comeback to a perfect season with bird numbers high. Higher than this year yes, but still not perfect. KS bird numbers are hurting right now. I know there are some that have been out and have done decent but those areas are few and far between. And those pockets with good bird hunting this year could provide excellent hunting next year with the right nesting conditions.

Overall I would think that it will take 2 good nesting seasons to make a good comeback in bird numbers statewide. Another year like this and the state will be in very bad shape for birds.

If I had to drive very far to hunt I wouldn't stop at Cloud county. Keep heading west and north.

Mother nature is the only one who knows what next spring will bring us. But, by the looks of things I wouldn't bet my bank on any rain anytime soon. Hope I am wrong.

I'll take that rice field in AR shooting mallards any day over even the best bird hunt! I wouldn't look for ducks to fair any better after this year either.
 
Thanks for the advice fellow duckman. I will keep an eye on the reports throughout the offseason. We have been smokin the ducks so far this season. The opener in Arkansas was hot with limits for all, mainly killin teal and spoonies with a few big ducks(mallard- pintail) I'm a hardcore waterfowler but was born into a bird hunting family where we raised Setters and Brittanies and hunted pheasants in Michigan's thumb. I miss those Oct 20th pheasant openers a ton!!! Good luck and be safe bud.
 
The only hope for pheasants to bounce back is late winter and early spring moisture and slow soaking rains. Moisture will green up the vegetation, green wheat, green grass/vegetation will produce more nesting cover for hens this spring, more insects for the chicks and more cover will provide shade and escape cover from predators.

The climate in the southern plains to some extent is controled by weather in the tropical western Pacific. The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) also called El Nino/La Nino-Southern Oscillation.

The two year La Nina caused the drought for the last two summers. Right now the ENSO signal is neutral but they are predicting a turn negative towards El Nino (more rain and moisture from the S. Pacific) late winter and spring 2013. Lets hope and pray that they are right.

The so-called Pineapple Express that is now causing good rains in north and central Califorinia is a very good sign. Maybe that moisture train will move eastward in time.
 
just got home

Bad is not the word to use - sad. We have been making 2 trips a year from Wisconsin. This year we were going to cancel due to all the posts but wanted to make the trip to see a farmer friend that is recovering from illness and pick up 1/2 steer. We thought we would make the best of it and take the scenic route and explore Kansas -hunt our way down. We started north by St. Josephs and down through Russell southwest to final destination and saw some hens and 2 cove of quail. Last year opening weekend the group that normally hunts before us got 250 first weekend - this year 12. That says it all. Between the weather conditions and early crop harvest just hope the pheasants did not suffer and hope they will bounce back. Personally I think Kansas DNR should close pheasant hunting next year for out of state hunters and reduce daily limit to let the pheasants have a chance to recover. HUnting is fun but is is more enjoyable to watch your dog work and see the pheasants fly.
 
closing the season won't help, there are always enough roosters to continue the cycle.....the birds need cover and the right kind of percipataion at key times during nesting and brooding season to ensure adequate or improved recruitment...it's all well documented.
 
yes but it would give the birds a chance to recover. It is not about the hunter getting their birds - hunting is about enjoying the hunt and appreciating nature. The birds will get hunted - first hand knowledge that resident hunters in Kansas go out in force the first few weekends. As a nonresident I would appreciate and pay the money to come back knowing I will at least "SEE" birds. The Wis. DNR did this same thing with the deer hunting. They kept releasing false information when everyone knew the numbers were not there. Many people don't hunt here anymore (both non and resident) because they were tiered of it. It is big money here and people up north are now hurting. We finally have someone running the DNR that might turn it around. One year of no nonresident hunting and reducing 3-2 as limit I would support and I am a nonresident.
 
Private land - the year before 300 first 2 weekends.
Won't see that again for a number of years.
They only got 12 the first weekend this year. A few less people but
only 12 says it all.
The other tell sign was no predators, no rabbits and very few hawks.

Happy hunting-and pray for mild winter, rain and cooler temps.
 
a lot of land - milo, grass they have a lot of land - and honey holes. They have a large number or CRP grass next to wheat and milo fields. Prime acres.
 
well do the math 2 days of hunting 300 birds that is 3 each person 50 guys hunting a lot of land. You are missing the entire reason I posted. It is not about how many - it is about the hunt. I hunt only with 1-2 other people and 2 dogs. We hunt from sun up to sun down and as long as the dogs have fun and we see birds that is all we want. Yes getting birds is nice for rewarding the dogs. People who only think about the kill are not hunters or weekend hunters. The entire reason for post was that it was sad about what has happen to the birds. Get over it.
 
I'm not sure why everyone is getting so bent out of shape, 130-140 birds for a group isn't uncommon. 250 is just twice as many guys.:thumbsup:

It is sad, we need a cool spring and a late wheat harvest and the birds will bounce back. Without the rain dry land farming won't.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top