Recent content by spc524

Shooting a shotgun in the field is about foot position and gun mount. Both of which can be practiced in the off season. Shooting a shotgun rule number one is keep your eye on the bird. Watch enough bird hunting videos on you tube, especially the shotcam slow motion shots, and you will see the...

Opening week public land VS first of November. No question in my book, early November mid week. Better temps for the dogs, less competition for public land hunting places and the crop harvest will be finishing up.

I shoot 1000's of shells a year at targets of varying distances. I would suggest discussing pattern densities specific distances instead of chokes. Chokes vary and patterns vary with load & shot size combination. An IC could throw a 50% pattern with one shell and a 25% pattern with another. One...

What do you west river hunters do about snakes in the early season (for your dogs and yourself)? Vaccine? Avoidance Training? Avoid certain areas? Only hunt after it cools down? Snake chaps/boots? I want to hunt the National grass land early season but I am pretty sure if there is a snake...

I shoot clays a couple times a week during the spring and summer. Some practice, some leagues and some sporting clays tournaments. It started out as a way to become a better live bird shooter but has turned into something else. It has helped with the live bird shooting for sure but it is not...

Practice your gun mount at home, in the mirror with your hunting jacket or vest on. Unloaded gun of course. Mount the gun to your cheek., not your shoulder. If the gun fits properly, your shoulder should just be there. Try it very slowly 20 - 30 times a session. taking a step with your lead foot...

To prevent cripples, you could practice your shooting, only take reasonable killing shots, if you have to use non-toxic, use something other than steel and train your dog to hunt dead. As far as dogs go, you better end up with a breed live with the other 350 days a year, you aren't hunting...

Does anyone know the status of these propose changes? None of them made the handbook.

I use Rockford Road Animal Hospital for most of my Vet stuff, used to be owned by a hunter. Then use U of M for emergencies on off hours or weekends.

Cattail hunters - what are you finding for ice conditions in the cattails? Are hip boots required or has it been cold enough that the ice is supporting hunters? The cold temps coming with help but has it been cold enough to freeze them up completely yet? Just looking for some observations from...

Do pheasants shot (and tagged) on a shooting preserve count toward a daily or possesion limit? Most perserves that I have researched allow you to shoot more than 3 per day but you have to pay extra for them. If so, how can they let you shoot more than 3 in 1 day? If not, could a hunter that...

This past weekend while out hunting the underside of my dog's ears got some abrasion from running thru the weeds. I have seen this in the past but it typically shows up at the end of the year after hitting cattails several days in a row. Does any one have any tips how to help this heal and...

Is anybody seeing any ice fishermen yet on the lakes in NE SD? Also, any recent experience with ice in and around the edges of cattails? I know the saying no ice is safe but I hope to get out there in a week and plan to hunt the cattails. Just wondering what to expect. Thanks in advance.

What is the protocal for finding a gun left behind at a public hunting area? Have you seen or heard of this before? Just wondering how often this might actually happen.

Does anyone have an educated guess of the snow depth in the Worthington area? I was hoping to get the dogs out this weekend and want to get mental prepared for what we may find for snow depth and drifting. Thanks