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I remember when we started hunting in central South Dakota back in 2003. Lots of birds! Then, from 2005 through 2012, they were so plentiful (wild ones, too!) that it was hard to believe--in the side ditches, on the hay bales, sitting on fence posts, being hit on the highway...We hunted ducks on...

Hunted ducks this weekend on a private (farmer's) setup; shots were from 10-30 yards. Used the A5 Sweet 16 with Boss ammo, #5's and a skeet choke. I shot 5, all dead right there. Recoil out of that light A5 seemed very manageable. My companions shot Benelli 12 gauge SBE II's and III's with Mod...

Sounds exactly right to me, Haymaker. I'd much rather work with a landowner than create an adversary.

Has anyone hunted the NW Iowa area, say from Storm Lake to Spencer and Okoboji? Just wondered how dry it is, harvest progress and any idea on bird numbers up that way?

Hockey, It's surprising to me how many birds can be found in the grass waterways, filter strips and ditch banks in east central Illinois. At least where we hunt, there is a scarcity of large, CRP-type cover because the soils are so good that they are perfectly suited to continuous, intensive row...

I remember we beat a thread to death last year on this same subject; everyone's situation in life is different so there are bound to be a myriad of responses. No wrong answers either--but all that said, I'm with hockeybob...there's only so much time and an out-of-stater like me could burn up...

At a gun show today, I spotted a 12 gauge DHE Parker Reproduction that was really clean; hardly used in fact. It had a single trigger with a pistol grip, with 26" barrels choked Q1 and Q2. It came with the case and case cover, snap caps etc. The wood was good with some figure and it was all...

My choice: IC/Mod; unless the birds are 40 yards plus, the full choke is too tight for close in birds--especially if you want to eat them. You can feel confident with IC/Mod, particularly if you have a cpmpetent canine companion. If you are required to shoot steel at roosters where you hunt...

I enjoy shooting autos, pumps and side by sides. My only side by side right now is a Merkel 1620--weighs about 6 lbs., IC/mod. coke and a dream to carry and swing. Also hunt with the new model A5 Sweet 16, weighs about 6 lbs. and provides a 3rd shot in the event I need it. I do have a 20 gauge...

It just makes logical sense then that the better care you take of these investments, the longer they'll be able to "earn their keep".

I just have one dog that can hunt--a 3 year old Lab with lots of energy. I've been working him early mornings/late evenings with this heat and I believe him to be as ready as a dog can be for the season. We'll be hunting in Illinois on private land the first 2 days of that season; then headed...

Well, you keep pursuing your studies, and I'll keep using lead wherever I possibly can. End of story.

If one wants to refer to personal experience to discuss the use of AFFORDABLE non toxic shotgun ammo, I m a fairly accomplished wingshooter, and I hunt with a better than average dog, yet I can say without doubt that many types of nontoxic shot that I have personally used, just did not get the...

Not all reservations are equal. The Rosebud, Pine Ridge, the Pima reservation near Saceton, AZ, the Crow res at Ft. Thompson and some others are not financially well off. When we hunted at Ft. Thompson in 2018 and 2019, our guide told us not to venture far from the hotel--said it was dangerous...

I have hunted Prairie Dogs on the Rosebud in South Dakota and on the Mandan-Arikara Reservation near New Town, ND. (Fort Berthold). At the time we hunted (mid-late 1990's) you did not need an Indian guide. I'm informed that now, one is required, and the fee has been increased several fold from...

I just wouldn't use the Winchester XPERTS on anything bigger than a dove if I wanted to kill it. I price Hevi-Bismuth yesterday at our local hardware: a cool $59/box of TEN. The TSS is in the same ballpark and this stuff won't be coming down any too soon.

My son and I have hunted the Indian Reservation in and around Sisseton since 2018 and have been well pleased with the number and variety of puddle ducks we shot there; even a few geese. Lots of lakes and potholes. We hunted in mid-late October; the weather could get real iffy past about...

Are you kidding? Of course the nontoxics are more expensive, at least where I shop for them! It also depends on exactly what non toxics you're referring to. If I wanted to just wound game birds, I could use the low-cost WalMart Super X's and Federals. The 12 gauge Winchester Blindside 3" 1/38...

Lead is still my first choice for shotshells where it's still legal. I remember the really pathetic first attempts at steel shot by the manufacturers and how it was singularly unsuited to dropping waterfowl dead. Through the years, yes, steel shot has improved but in my opinion it is still...

I heartily second the idea of using the boots first--no point in waiting till your dog is hurting. Also, definitely put them on a few times before the trip; they'll feel very awkward at first to the dog but they do get used to them. Once you remove them, be sure to clean out each boot...