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With two glasses of inspiration fueling my fire and a good steak in my belly, I decided last night to go back to experience after encountering zero birds on public grounds yesterday. As a child, my father was always the first farmer to harvest his fields. Knowing me and my eagerness, I many...

Hello All, Sophie and I spent the day hunting public in and around the Gilbert area. Never saw a bird.:eek: Sophie did get birdy at the corner of one piece. The cover was awesome and very thick. Still amazed I did not have one point or flush today. Saw one nest with droppings all day. Did...

We will experience a very tough year this year--tougher than last!:( My son and I worked varying cover today-brome grass, crp, waterways, drainage ditches and yes--I even broke down and walked some standing corn.:) Here is your breakdown. It would be pleasant to state the birds are in the...

I have now witnessed two events in my life concerning pheasants. The absolute demise of pheasant habitat and pheasants in my beloved state of Iowa:( and a second count of brood numbers by SoDak DNR that actually produced fewer results. Surprised no one on here has posted this...

Well it is finally out: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/Arsrpt13.pdf Polishing the irons after a dismal read of the roadside count numbers. It was interesting to see the logic used that last years conditions may have affected the counts so that the birds really haven't increased at all...

Hello Everyone, As of yesterday, I have not seen any broods yet in my area. Still hear the crowing in early morning and prior to darkness. Saw a hen last night without a brood. Could use some good news!:)

Hello All, Anyone observed any chicks yet? I have not seen a single brood during field work. It has been very very wet here in central Iowa and the creeks were out of their banks last week. I realize not all chicks are hatched in the creeks and waterways but the ditches cannot be an optimal...

How has the fishing been at Oahe this year? Thinking of a trip and want a few updates. Thanks.

Just read this post on the local paper. http://globegazette.com/news/iowa/no-quick-fix-for-declining-iowa-pheasant-numbers-dnr-wildlife/article_890e227a-925a-11e2-a550-0019bb2963f4.html Is it any wonder why our bird numbers cease to improve? I cannot believe the idiots we have in...

Hello All, I am up to seven on coyotes since we experienced the blizzard. I encourage all of you to get out there and put the hurt on predators for the next month or so. Our pheasant pops. really do benefit from our assistance in eliminating these predators that harass them during snow cover...

On Thursday Sophie and I hit a shelterbelt (see photo) during the first of two days of 3+ inches of powdery snow and little wind. The pheasant gods were shining on us! Our hunt lasted 11 minutes on Thursday. Not the kind of hunt I now enjoy but fun none-the-less with roughly 70 birds flushed...

As I write this a severe winter storm with blizzard potential is upon Iowa. I just finished up 10 days--one was scouting-of incredibly tough deer hunting in NW Iowa. Saw nine deer total. Walked many miles of private and public ground. If this area is not at "deer management levels" then I...

I waited several days due to the high winds we have been experiencing to make my return to Bancroft. According to forecasts I was supposed to experience a 5 to 10 variable wind today. Upon arrival, what do I have-fairly strong winds in the 15 to 18 range. When in Rome. . . . . I hunt!:) It...

Hunted my pipeline sections west and northwest of Bancroft today. First two sections--1/4 milers were previous hits from years prior and had awesome cover. Absolutely dry as a bone! Not a drop of water in them even from drainage tile!:mad: Sophie and I managed to put up a hen. Saw a farmer...

Started my day today with a public and private land hunt around Pocahontas. The private land never happened. On the public land, Sophie's first point totaled nine roosters!:) I am sure this area has been hunted and was surprised by this many roosters in one flush. Two of them made quick...

My weather station reads 75.6 degrees as I write this at 11:07 a.m. The old ringneck gets a break today. I will be chasing birdies on the course rather than in the field!:) Please remember to keep an eye on your dogs today. They can get heat exhaustion very easy in this 80 degree weather!:(...

Headed up to a friend's private crp and sloughs in the Rock Valley area this weekend. My son came along for the trip--yes he is putting that college education to work and going with Dad where the birds are!:p We started today with no wind and crisp conditions. We were in the best switchgrass...

Having an entire day, a willing dog, and a hypothesis about our current drought weighing on my mind I decided to put it to the test today. We hunted two private tracts of land that I know contain no water. In fact, the closest creek to either is more than 3 miles away. The cover is very...

After a short drive this morning; and a beautiful morning it was, my son and I hunted four public land spots in Greene county. Before I get into that, a shout-out to Mary at the cafe in Ogden for some of the best blueberry pancakes I have ever had! Ia at heart, these legs were looking for some...

Wow! I have read three articles now stating how our Iowa bird numbers will be 40% higher this fall. I love hunting our pheasants in Iowa as much as anyone, but it seems to me this borders on malicious to propose these kinds of numbers to out-of-staters as to what they may expect this fall. I...