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

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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 

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I was a varmint hunter/shooter for a lot of years. The loss of a good rifle range really did me in. Not being able to conduct solid load development, etc. really impacted my desire and capabilities. I used to waterfowl hunt a lot, but after moving, the duck flyway is not the same and I got out of it. I have slowly eased back into waterfowl, but my expectations are very managed for each outing. For me, there is just nothing better than being in the fields with the dog chasing pheasants.
 
I dont bow hunt anymore for deer, and in the past couple years I have given up the 2nd weekend of gun season here in MN. I figure if I cant shoot a deer with a rifle in 3 days, it wasnt meant to be. I take that Friday off and hunt ringnecks those 3 days and have more excitement leading up to that than a 2nd week of deer camp could hope to provide.
 
I am turning 65 and had some minor shoulder issues and decided to quit bow hunting after 50 years. I sold all my equipment and haven’t missed it this year. I might once the rut starts. I am becoming just a bird hunter. Upland and waterfowl hunting can keep me plenty busy. I took my wife and pup antelope hunting this past weekend. What a bust as antelope were really non existent. I did have fun with some upland though, trying a new recipe tonight. To me it is all about having a tired content dog on the ride home. My wife carrying a couple of sharpies for me.
 

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Hunting birds is active hunting. Done my share of ambushing deer from a tree stand…bor ring. Granted when Harry Hatrack shows up the adrenaline starts a pumpin! Grew up fez and rabbit hunting and deer drives during gun week. Active hunting.
 
LC Smith said:
I was a varmint hunter/shooter for a lot of years. The loss of a good rifle range really did me in. Not being able to conduct solid load development, etc. really impacted my desire and capabilities. I used to waterfowl hunt a lot, but after moving, the duck flyway is not the same and I got out of it. I have slowly eased back into waterfowl, but my expectations are very managed for each outing. For me, there is just nothing better than being in the fields with the dog chasing pheasants.
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Didn’t buy a waterfowl stamp for 5 years. But bought one this year. I would like to ease back into it. Went and “scouted” a few lakes near me this afternoon. Beats sitting inside all day because of the rain. Might take the kayak out soon and see what’s up. Saw two roosters in the ditch off private and my blood got a pumping though.
 
Buy my duck stamp deer tags trapping fishing hunting license every year. When faced with the occasional non hunter, anti hunter I simply ask how much they given to conservation habitat etc. They always answer zero. I proudly say I’m in for $100 every year. I also inform anyone who’ll listen about Pittman Robert’s. Keep yer powder dry and run em to me.
 
I hunted deer, elk and antelope every year in either Wyoming or Colorado or a few times both and one time in Idaho for about 10 years. My hunts would be about one week or so long including travel time and then I had 9 days for deer in Nebraska. I archery hunted a little and muzzle loader a couple of times in Nebraska but I didn't get to spend much time in the field.
I was always in a hurry to get to where I was going and to get home for my job and I was exhausted!

Then my friend invited me to quail and pheasant and he had a dog. I really enjoyed it and loved to watch the dog work.
I didn't have to get up at zero dark thirty, my wife wasn't pissed at me for being gone and using most of my vacation for hunting, I could hunt every weekend from September 1 to the end of January and for the most part be home every night! I bought a dog and never seriously big game hunted again and that was over 40 years ago! I think I've had maybe two Nebraska deer licenses but that interfered with bird hunting!

I now have no desire to kill another deer even though I have a few friends that ask every year but I wouldn't mind killing a big elk. I'm pretty sure that won't happen because I can take several bird hunting trips for what that would cost!
 
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