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Care to cite the source of this conclusion, since it is completely opposite to the consensus view of wildlife science and the clear correlation between CRP acres and pheasant numbers/harvest?

Just a theory, but guessing something happened to slightly bend that edge inward (before being installed in gun). Maybe it was dropped before being installed. Shot impacted the raised edge and tore it out toward barrel end. Not sure if being excessively loose might allow shot to impact that...

I had seen that as well, but unsure exactly what it means for much of the pheasant range. Clearly the SE part of the state is in a drought, but does that mean other parts of the state (not in drought) will be hayed to compensate? This is the only data I found and it is not that clear. Not sure...

No problem. I just looked it up recently - was looking for a good place to run the dog. For the state lands it is allowed, though you need to get a permit.

That is correct, but WPAs are not DNR controlled - they are federal. No dog training allowed, period.

You might want to read up on the regs before walking your dog on a WPA pre-season...

Long-term average goes back to the 50's when birds were like locusts and they were killing 1M+ each season. There was also the more recent boom in the 2000s. The 20% over the 10-year average is more meaningful relative to the 'new normal' - takes out those prior 'boom' periods that inflated...

I thought last year was just fine so an increase is welcome. I do recognize it varies quite a bit over the state though.

I went from 1 to 2 dogs (labs) a few years ago and will say that I prefer just 1 dog. At that time I thought the old man was winding down so I got a backfill dog, but he ended up hunting hard through year 11. You just don't get that 1-on-1 connection when its 1-with-2 and as stated before - it...

I knew SE are has been in drought and it looks like Southern part in general is dry. The area I was referring to is still in the 'white' area (has been since spring) so the report I received of high moisture sounds accurate. After last year's drought it is welcome news, just hope crops get out...

What part of the state? SE? I was recently told that NW area (still East River) is moist and crops will be out late.

Where did you see the MN and IA roadside survey results for this year? I do not see those published anywhere yet.

I will second that. WIAs can be good but are too often just crops, pasture, or mowed grass.

There are certainly birds in Webster, or even East of there in Minnesota. But if you are looking for a population density that is more representative of the SD hype you need to head further West. Many (like me) drive through Webster on their way West. The James River Valley to the MO river is...

Glad I was not the only one wondering that. I even googled it and the only hit was to A5's Youtube video so it went full circle... I get the reference though. I have only run across one 'flare nare' on public ground in SD and it was last year. It had a numbered band on the leg as well and I got...

Great video. Could have used that 15 years ago!

I will second this choice. Lightweight, but still fits four 3" shells. Low recoil for its weight due to being gas operated. Not the cheapest option though.

Yes - you are spot on there regarding differences depending on where you are in the state. I broke my own rule there in generalizing SD when it does vary quite a bit across the pheasant range. Far East and even into MN did not see nearly the up and down swing that the Jim River valley to MO...

That sounds like a good setup - Everyone pushes birds off of public ground for a couple of weeks into your private and then let the turkey shoot commence... If you ever need a guy with couple of great bird dogs to help out with that you just let me know ;) We always go out 2nd week on public...

This is a good observation, but I think that stat does not tell the full story. I would like it if there were a more meaningful stat like birds per hour hunted. Purely anecdotal, but my experience in SD was 3-bird limits were the norm with a dog and OK shooting on public land pre-2012. And it...