Anyone give up another form of hunting all together to just hunt birds instead?

[Labs]

Never. Variety is the spice of life. That being said, in SW ND there is essentially no waterfowl hunting. I used to live in NE ND where there was world class waterfowl hunting but the only pheasant hunting was birds released by local sportsmen's clubs on public land, after the youth season hunters had a go at them. If a guy got out there right after the after the kids and coyotes worked them over, there were usually enough roosters to make it interesting for a few days.

I thoroughly enjoy firearms big game hunting. I take vacation the back half of the Firearms Deer Season to hunt when the rut is in full swing.

I love archery in all it's forms. Bowhunting big game and bowfishing are a big part of my life. Not hunting, but I also shoot competitive archery and have won the Silver Senior Freestyle Class at the ND State Indoor 3D Championships 2 of the last four years.

 

[Kre]

I gave up trapping about 6-7 year ago when fur prices tanked. Still have all my gear and my mud boat.

I'm a few years from retirement and will likely trap problem beaver after that.

But, I love the bird hunting. My GSP is going to be 9 in a week and I have a deposit in on another pup.

 

[matto]

I've been through phases. When I had a lab I was into waterfowl, upland with bigger groups, and deer. Then as my lab aged and ultimately passed away I had younger kids at home and wasn't ready for a new dog. For that 5-7 year period I drifted towards big game hunting--my family had some good deer ground with decent waterfowl opportunities so there was no competing for spots, paying for access, etc. I even made a head fake towards elk hunting. I also started collecting points for a Kansas pronghorn tag for me and later starting collecting points for my sons.

When it was time for another hunting dog I bought my first Vizsla. That started a drift towards focusing on upland. My folks also sold our deer/waterfowl land and bought some stuff out west that's mostly upland.

Today my attitude is upland first, and I prefer groups of 2-3 people. My older son lives in KC and is unwilling to invest the drive time to hunt with me and also unwilling to invest the time to figure out hunting in that area. My younger loves waterfowl hunting, but he now lives in Greeley, CO. I will hunt deer or waterfowl with either of my sons if they want, but I'm not planning on doing either on my own. We have enough pronghorn points to guarantee a tag--if I could split mine up I almost have enough points for two tags. I just can't get either of them interested enough to commit.

But I'm not selling my rifles. Both of my big-game-capable rifles were gifts from my dad. There is special place in hell for people who sell gifted guns.

 

[revs2ninegrand]

Since I became a dad about 9yrs ago, and then adding a second daughter, it's become harder and harder to go on hunts that require me to be gone extended hours/seasons. That sort of started the push to more upland hunting vs bowhunting, waterfowl, etc., but now I actually enjoy taking my oldest daughter with me and she really enjoys tagging along on upland hunts and occasionally we'll get after some field Geese.