KBell
New member
Sophie and I packed our gear and headed out on a cold evening for Bancroft area. We hit public and private today and saw birds on both.
Public-we did not encounter another hunter this morning. I felt the birds would hold tight due to colder conditions--wrong. Birds were already active at sunrise. Only rooster I shot was a wild flush to my right. Sophie and I saw five hens and four roosters in the public. Two were older birds. One taken was this years middle season hatch.
Private-We started in around 1 p.m. Jumped a decent buck just yards from the truck. We had a draw with running water and decent cover. First point came just after we jumped the bedded buck. I released Sophie--nada. I recalled her and reset. Sure enough point at same spot. Release and nothing. I decide to walk in. Stomping around produces a hen squab flush. After four or so yards Sophie is on her. I hurried in and saved her from the bite. Examining her now and she is very young. Crying wildly I her another bird call not ten yards ahead. Sophie is put back to task and I let the hen go behind us. Moving towards the call yields a strong point on Sophie's part. Release and two young roosters flush. Our day ended with a visit to the farmhouse and the sharing of a bird. When I came in from cleaning it I was greeted with a warm cup of coffee. God it was great!
Owner's wife was telling me how some younger birds were at the feeders all this week picking up seed. My thoughts went back to that little hen.
I did something I have not done in quite a while. I cleaned those two remaining birds in the hotel room. As I write--sneezing feathers--I spent as much time cleaning the room as I did those two birds! It was just too cold with that windchill. Nate I heard Iowa won today so Illinois still blows and Nebraska sucks!
Working the Crown now and watching the end of Penn State game.
Ken
Public-we did not encounter another hunter this morning. I felt the birds would hold tight due to colder conditions--wrong. Birds were already active at sunrise. Only rooster I shot was a wild flush to my right. Sophie and I saw five hens and four roosters in the public. Two were older birds. One taken was this years middle season hatch.
Private-We started in around 1 p.m. Jumped a decent buck just yards from the truck. We had a draw with running water and decent cover. First point came just after we jumped the bedded buck. I released Sophie--nada. I recalled her and reset. Sure enough point at same spot. Release and nothing. I decide to walk in. Stomping around produces a hen squab flush. After four or so yards Sophie is on her. I hurried in and saved her from the bite. Examining her now and she is very young. Crying wildly I her another bird call not ten yards ahead. Sophie is put back to task and I let the hen go behind us. Moving towards the call yields a strong point on Sophie's part. Release and two young roosters flush. Our day ended with a visit to the farmhouse and the sharing of a bird. When I came in from cleaning it I was greeted with a warm cup of coffee. God it was great!
Owner's wife was telling me how some younger birds were at the feeders all this week picking up seed. My thoughts went back to that little hen.I did something I have not done in quite a while. I cleaned those two remaining birds in the hotel room. As I write--sneezing feathers--I spent as much time cleaning the room as I did those two birds!
It was just too cold with that windchill. Nate I heard Iowa won today so Illinois still blows and Nebraska sucks!Working the Crown now and watching the end of Penn State game.
Ken
Last edited:
