2025 season reports

[gim]

I am fairly shocked that any kind of insect can survive in this bitter cold weather.

 

[MNMEAD]

Well another eye opener for me, the last bird I shot (the one with the flies) was still warm to the touch when we got home. Pretty crazy how well those feathers insulate such a small body. I assume the flies would have been gone like fleas on a rabbit if it had cooled down further.

 

[gim]

My old dog mustered enough energy for 2 spots today. Both with standing corn. Snow is about 13 inches deep but not as bad in the corn. I raised about 25 and 3 dumb ones got up within shotgun range. Stunning day out there too, about 20 degrees and sunny.

 

[nater]

My old dog mustered enough energy for 2 spots today. Both with standing corn. Snow is about 13 inches deep but not as bad in the corn. I raised about 25 and 3 dumb ones got up within shotgun range. Stunning day out there too, about 20 degrees and sunny.

Outstanding! Glad you were able to get out with your pup again. It was 34 where I was hunting. 4-5 inches of snow other than where it's drifted. Cattail ice still sucks.

 

[nater]

The snow/ice was melting all night down in the SW. Drip drip drip. Cattail fringe ice is still in terrible shape despite -20 or whatever Saturday night. I've seen lots of tracks in the grass on the last couple of hunts, but still primarily finding birds in the cattails. Be prepared to get your feet wet, and to work the cattails from the inside of the lake out. Pack cleats and be on the lookout for tile outlets, groundwater inflow at the base of hills, and other running water--saw completely open pockets in places yesterday. There's much better ice where there was open water with no snow in the middle of the sloughs, compared to the insulated/drifted in cattail ring. If you know of smaller wetlands that dried out by late fall, those might be good spots to focus on. Fields are opening up nicely and exposing waste grain again, so there might be some hope that we carry this mini population boom forward to next year in the southern third of the state. It's likely going to be a tough winter for the central MN birds.

Daytime highs above 30 for much of the holiday week ahead, and moderate winds (after today).

 

[Bob Peters]

Be prepared to get your feet wet, and to work the cattails from the inside of the lake out. Pack cleats

I bought some hip waders that showed up this week. I'm not saying I'm gonna wear em', but I'm gonna pack em. Always spooky walking ice you don't know how deep it is beneath. I'm gonna err on the side of caution.

In map study, it's pretty amazing how many of the sloughs have flowing ditches, tile lines, etc. flowing into or through them.

 

[gim]

I haven’t even bothered going in cattails this season. It’s too unsafe. Plus they are completely snowed in. I should take a photo of the cattails and post it. It’s unrecognizable with the snow on top.

 

[nater]

Drove further west yesterday and found some very solid cattail ice. Didn't break through a single time. It's out there!

 

[Headin west]

All cattails today did not break through.

 

[MNhunter4ever]

Finally get a chance to get out there today! Been so busy with kids activities, school, etc. Going to be in the low 40s today, and with all the melting, hopefully we can find some in the grass. Roads look really slick right now, so we’ll get out there when those conditions improve. Should be a beautiful day!

 

[gim]

Looks like another serious dump of snow coming tomorrow.

I might be done for this season. I can’t walk through that deep snow anymore. And neither can my dog.

All this snow ruined the hunting for most of Decemeber. I like hunting in a fresh snowfall, but this is ridiculous.

 

[nater]

Hunted a handful of Walk-In units last night. Light but consistent wind, almost no snow, birds held tight, 40 degrees. Had 3 nice points and came home with 3 roosters. The highlight was the final bird, which plopped down head up on the iced over (small) river. Younger dog chased that bird around for a while, sliding around like a hockey puck before pinning it against the opposite bank and bringing it back. Just missed grabbing a video with my phone.

It's a shame those conditions won't continue through next weekend, at least not for most of the MN pheasant range. Then again, I can't complain much about this season; it's been phenomenal, even without fully frozen sloughs at the end.

Hope everyone had or has a chance to get out over the holidays!

 

[gim]

Well the area I hunt "only" got about 4 more inches of snow so I might give it one more go before the season ends. I know there's birds still around.

I would probably regret not going given that this is very likely going to be my dog's final hunt, ever.

 

[MNhunter4ever]

Well the area I hunt "only" got about 4 more inches of snow so I might give it one more go before the season ends. I know there's birds still around.

I would probably regret not going given that this is very likely going to be my dog's final hunt, ever.

Thinking of you over these next few days, gim. Cherish all of those memories through the years with that loyal hunting companion of yours.

 

[Headin west]

Happy New Years only a few more days and then it’s time to dig out the ice fishing gear or go to South Dakota.

 

[gim]

Very likely my last hunt with this dog. She turns 14 in February. It was a memorable one. A friend and I hunted 2 spots and raised about 25 total; 20 at the first spot and 5 more at the second. We even got a double at the first spot too. Two spots are all we have energy for in such deep snow.