mnaj_springer
New member
I think the majority of it is down around here, but for some reason, the corn next to my favorite spots continues to stand. It's like the farmers conspire against me! Haha
2015-16 Hunting Reports & Pictures
- Thread starter Tbear
- Start date
I think the majority of it is down around here, but for some reason, the corn next to my favorite spots continues to stand. It's like the farmers conspire against me! Haha
Well it's been a really cool year for me so far. Not all limits, but memories none the less.
I knew my mutt would pick up ducks from last year, but poor hunting and the early freeze didn't give her many opportunities. She has been really good this year.
But that's duck hunting, and you lilly lickers don't care nuttin' about that
What has been really cool is seeing her turn into a pheasant dog. She would historically run around just kinda having fun, not really hunting. Her obedience is quite good so I could always keep her in range, but she was never very effective. That changed this year. She finally associated scent with birds. First it was a few hens and very hesitant flushes...associated with lots of praise.
Then when in ND she got her first rooster. I'm new to reading my own dog, but when she hit scent it was obvious. She turned into a dog on fire. That deep scenting I've heard real birddogs do, the frantic search with tail whipping. Then up Mr Rooster came, and I knocked him down. Can't tell you how happy I was. The retrieve was poor, but I FF'd her on the bird later in the evening and the next day she retrieved birds to hand.
She now has a handful of bird contacts and seems to really enjoy the field. Like many of you, I get a lot of satisfaction from watching dogs work, and watching my own dog work is best of all. She's just a mutt, but she makes me happy.
I knew my mutt would pick up ducks from last year, but poor hunting and the early freeze didn't give her many opportunities. She has been really good this year.
But that's duck hunting, and you lilly lickers don't care nuttin' about that
What has been really cool is seeing her turn into a pheasant dog. She would historically run around just kinda having fun, not really hunting. Her obedience is quite good so I could always keep her in range, but she was never very effective. That changed this year. She finally associated scent with birds. First it was a few hens and very hesitant flushes...associated with lots of praise.
Then when in ND she got her first rooster. I'm new to reading my own dog, but when she hit scent it was obvious. She turned into a dog on fire. That deep scenting I've heard real birddogs do, the frantic search with tail whipping. Then up Mr Rooster came, and I knocked him down. Can't tell you how happy I was. The retrieve was poor, but I FF'd her on the bird later in the evening and the next day she retrieved birds to hand.
She now has a handful of bird contacts and seems to really enjoy the field. Like many of you, I get a lot of satisfaction from watching dogs work, and watching my own dog work is best of all. She's just a mutt, but she makes me happy.
I made it out west of Cosmos on Saturday. We got up 2 roosters 1 of which I badly missed... And we had 2 geese fly close enough over us that we shot 1 of them as well. Pretty funny putting a big ol' canadian in the back of the vest! Where we were hunting I was surprised to see all the birds for the most part come out of thinner short cover, I would have thought with the rain and being wet to perhaps be in thicker stuff. What do you guys usually do for rain/post rain hunting?
Tbear
UPH Master
I think the birds are in the thinner stuff during the rain. They don't like to get wet and the thick grass holds a lot of water.
mnaj_springer
New member
My thinking is that after a long stretch of rain or snow, when it begins to clear up, is a nice time for loafing cover. If they have been hunkered down for a day they'll need to eat soon. But I could be wrong...
was able to get a few days off work to get out last Thursday and Friday in SW MN. Birds did seem to be in loathing areas on Thursday after windy cold hit on Wednesday. Heavy clouds but no rain, which I don't mind because I don't have to worry about shooting into the sun. Between my uncle and I we managed to get our 4 on Thursday. We ran into some tight holding birds working a grass edge. My 10 month old lab was able to get some nice exposure to "scenting" birds and actually managed to make a very nice flush and retrieve. This was the first bird for him and I solo (my uncle opted to take a nap in the truck on this WMA, but I wasn't letting that stop me) so it was a really cool moment for us. Ran into a power flush during golden hour on a WPA that evening which my uncle and I each dropped 1 to get us to 4. Allowed us to check out of the field and check into our motel early for some hot tub relaxing :thumbsup: by Friday we started seeing hunters who I assume also got an early start to their hunting weekend. We took another approach by hitting a few ditch lines that looked promising and ended up with 2 doing that most of the day. Amazes me when you drive by a ditch before walking it and don't see a thing but come to find it's filled with a dozen birds when you go to walk it. Boy are they sneaky! Here's the pic of Gus and that first bird I talked about above. Next trip scheduled 2nd weekend in November after deer opening weekend. Will be interested to see how many deer hunters will still be out 2nd weekend of deer.
) so it was a really cool moment for us. Ran into a power flush during golden hour on a WPA that evening which my uncle and I each dropped 1 to get us to 4. Allowed us to check out of the field and check into our motel early for some hot tub relaxing :thumbsup: by Friday we started seeing hunters who I assume also got an early start to their hunting weekend. We took another approach by hitting a few ditch lines that looked promising and ended up with 2 doing that most of the day. Amazes me when you drive by a ditch before walking it and don't see a thing but come to find it's filled with a dozen birds when you go to walk it. Boy are they sneaky! Here's the pic of Gus and that first bird I talked about above. Next trip scheduled 2nd weekend in November after deer opening weekend. Will be interested to see how many deer hunters will still be out 2nd weekend of deer.mnaj_springer
New member
Nice job TBird! Those firsts are always fun. First bird, first pheasant, first duck, etc, etc. And the best part is with each new dog, those same feelings of pride are just as strong.
jackrabbit
Active member
What are the rules for ditch hunting in MN? I am familiar with the rules for SD, are they the same in Minnesota? I could always look up the rule book.... but I guess I am taking the lazy way out today. Sorry!
mnaj_springer
New member
If I recall correctly, the answer varies greatly. Easements on different roads (state vs. county vs. township, etc.) are set up differently. I also think it'll vary from county to county and even township to township. I think it would be prudent to check with local authorities.
mnaj_springer
New member
Seve, depends on the field for me. There's a spot I KNOW doesn't have deer hunters, except a private stand on the north side, but I don't venture back there anyway. So if I pheasant hunt on the weekend during deer season, I go there. But during the week, there I feel safer. Plus, by 9 AM, most deer hunters have given up.
Also, my dogs wear blaze orange vests for both protection and visibility.
jackrabbit
Active member
I didn't think it was as simple as SD... I wish there was one universal rule! You either can or can't.
I just looked through the regs looking for info on hunting ditches and couldn't find a thing.
I just hunt public land and anything else posted or not posted I consider private and unhuntable, unless I'm able to by the grace of god it seems get permission from the owner to hunt it. I would love to know if I'm incorrect in that view though.
I just hunt public land and anything else posted or not posted I consider private and unhuntable, unless I'm able to by the grace of god it seems get permission from the owner to hunt it. I would love to know if I'm incorrect in that view though.
Tbear
UPH Master
Go Hunt! Like someone else said most guys are done at 9am and if not just go look for a different spot.
As far as ditches, you are correct it is very hard to understand and poorly regulated. From what I understand it legal in very marginal situations where the ditch is especially wide. The ditches we chose were just that, and ones that I've seen guys walking this year and years past (not that that means everything either). Is it my most preferred method of hunting, no but I can say, and also others that this was the way some grew up hunting. There are hands down better options. Might be worth the call to the local CO to get some clarification.
jackrabbit
Active member
Any recent reports? I have not been out in Minnesota for over a week. With the time change, I lost the ability to get out for quick 45-60 minute hunts at the end of the day on weekdays, and spent last weekend in SD. Public land wise, I saw the same amount of birds in South Central South Dakota as I've been seeing in Central and South Central Minnesota.