I wrapped-up a great season today with a hard fought limit. My hunting buddy was off again today, so another solo run. I started with a place, which this was the 3rd year running, that I hunt only on the last day of my season. Never limited there, but always get a bird or 2. I waited until just after 10:00 to go out this morning and someone had snuck in and hunted this already. I still hunted the thickest part and Gus found one lone rooster that we dropped dead in the bean stubble. Hit a another farm in that area, it is a thinner CRP, more prairie drop seed and Indian grass. Second time for this parcel this season, only flushing 7 hens there today. To a waterway in the back of a section, has a bunch of snake grass in parts of it that is super thick, usually a bunch of birds, but wild. Nothing today, no tracks, it was very odd. On to a waterway with filter strips by my brother's home, a few tracks but no birds. On to another waterway with decent filter strips, got one there on the south side that wasn't blown-in with snow. When I got to the end, I debated about walking back on the north side, as the snow was going to make it difficult. I did and let the dog get out ahead of me and sure enough, he gets another rooster up, but out of my range. My fault for letting the dog out as far as I did. So now I was just a mile from my honey hole, so off we go. Walked about 250 yards and got into a pile of them. I had been 2 for 2 on shooting and thought I might end the season with a 3 for 3, but that idea was dashed as I got into a big flush. I shot at one, missed, another gets up closer, so I now focus on this one and managed to miss twice! I shovel a few shells back in and in a few steps take a shot at yet another, I think this one is going down, but catches himself and keeps flying with both legs hanging down and managed to clear the crest of the hill, still flying. Hate when I see a leg hanging, as they are dead. Another one flushes in range and I drop him dead.
As I was walking back out to my truck, Gus was pointing birds along the way and I thought to myself that there are few experiences that create the excitement of walking up on your dog with a hard point, your finger on the safety, getting ready for that bird to explode from the cover! Man I love that, it never gets old!
A nice hunt to wrap up a season that was exceptional. I wish everyone could have a season like I just had! After cleaning my birds and placing 3 tailfeathers in the jar, I counted 63 for the season, best year ever! Now if we can get through this winter without a large population loss, we will have great numbers yet again for next season. Couple of months yet that could change everything.
