Best season yet

[SDJIM]

THE BIRDS ARE DOWN!!!!!

That is a very true statement--but ya know what---this has been the best season yet for me--not that many roosters taken or even seen and on my own private--and very good habitat---ground.

It's been the HUNTERS and the DOGS that have made the difference--usually just me and one other and their dogs. Take 35 acres of CRP two guys and a dog and go HUNT--it's really taken me back to when I was younger and had no dog or private land to hunt--in those days we hunted and hard but always had a good time. Now we hunt hard but a little smarter I'd like to think and still have a good time. No rush to be in the field at starting hour or need to hunt till the sun sets.

This year I've watched several very young dogs come of age so to speak and that's been fun---have made new friends--what more can you ask for--Yes this down season has me feeling VERY BLESSED--what more can one ask for.:thumbsup:

JIM

 

[bknight]

Well said Jim. It has been one of my better seasons and I made some new friends too! I think I understand what you are saying , and though I had never been to S.D. before, and I knew I was going in an "off year" for my first time, I still enjoyed it immensely! It was definitely worth the trip for me!

 

[519vx]

Great post Jim. You "get it". And it is a great year when yes indeed you learn a few new things, and make a few new friends!

 

[kansasbrittany]

THE BIRDS ARE DOWN!!!!!

That is a very true statement--but ya know what---this has been the best season yet for me--not that many roosters taken or even seen and on my own private--and very good habitat---ground.

It's been the HUNTERS and the DOGS that have made the difference--usually just me and one other and their dogs. Take 35 acres of CRP two guys and a dog and go HUNT--it's really taken me back to when I was younger and had no dog or private land to hunt--in those days we hunted and hard but always had a good time. Now we hunt hard but a little smarter I'd like to think and still have a good time. No rush to be in the field at starting hour or need to hunt till the sun sets.

This year I've watched several very young dogs come of age so to speak and that's been fun---have made new friends--what more can you ask for--Yes this down season has me feeling VERY BLESSED--what more can one ask for.:thumbsup:

JIM

The day I hunted with you was a very enjoyable day (I just wish I'd had more sleep the night before).

This is a down year in KS too. Instead of walking into the field and watching 50-100 birds flush out the other side. In "good" years, you drive around the evening before the opener and you pick the field with the most birds you can find. This year, we picked a place where we saw A BIRD. Instead of ppl in the group talking about how long it would take to limit, my boy and I set a goal to get A BIRD the next day. We ended up with 3, so we exceeded our goal 3 fold and you know what? Those 3 birds were better than any limit I've shot in my past!

The next morning we had the same goal/plan; walk until we at least get a shot on A BIRD. About 30 minutes into the field one busts between my boys and the 11yo drops him. Goal achieved! Again, it was more rewarding than any limit days, albeit not quite as eventful, it was more fulfilling. Hunting is about fulfillment, no matter what your priorities are.

Keep at it Jim! Since you get to hunt behind so many dogs from so many different parts of the country, you should be able to create a helluva breed-comparison post/thread someday:cheers:

 

[hunter94]

while i never expect a Kansas limit, even in a good year, i hate to lower my expectations to one a day...but that seems to be where we are now..and i won't pretend it is just as fulfilling watching my dogs work their asses off for one bird...i don't expect or need 50 bird flushes..i go for the dog work, but when things are this down, it's tough to get excited.

 

[UGUIDE]

while i never expect a Kansas limit, even in a good year, i hate to lower my expectations to one a day...but that seems to be where we are now..and i won't pretend it is just as fulfilling watching my dogs work their asses off for one bird...i don't expect or need 50 bird flushes..i go for the dog work, but when things are this down, it's tough to get excited.

I think you are right. Seems to be a big difference between 1 bird per day and 2.

 

[hunter94]

I think you are right. Seems to be a big difference between 1 bird per day and 2.

it's all about bird contact and retrieving as well.....over 5-6 days, that's a big difference when you are hunting 2 or more dogs....just sayin

 

[kansasbrittany]

while i never expect a Kansas limit, even in a good year, i hate to lower my expectations to one a day...but that seems to be where we are now..and i won't pretend it is just as fulfilling watching my dogs work their asses off for one bird...i don't expect or need 50 bird flushes..i go for the dog work, but when things are this down, it's tough to get excited.

If we get 1 bird, we saw 10. Given that I'm starting 2 very young, goal-oriented kids into the sport (we set goals for everything we do in life, so when we go hunting I get "Dad, what's the goal for today?"). Sometimes the answer is simply, "To enjoy each other's company and talk about the things we don't always get to talk about."

That said, I agree that it's not preferable to lower my expectations to 1 bird/day. We also saw a covey of quail each day, which helps keeps things interesting for both man and dogs. On the opener the goal was 1 bird. When I got my 2nd bird my son said, "Dad, we smoked our goal!" If his expectations would've been to line the entire tailgate with birds, his take on whether it was a success or not wouldn't have been as positive.

I don't pretend anything hunter94; I truly mean it when I say that this past opener was the most fulfilling opener for me in a long time, maybe the most fulfilling ever. I'm incredibly excited about what the remainder of the season will hold for me and the boys.

 

[hunter94]

If we get 1 bird, we saw 10. Given that I'm starting 2 very young, goal-oriented kids into the sport (we set goals for everything we do in life, so when we go hunting I get "Dad, what's the goal for today?". Sometimes the answer is simply, "To enjoy each other's company and talk about the things we don't always get to talk about.")

That said, I agree that it's not preferable to lower my expectations to 1 bird/day. We also saw a covey of quail each day, which helps keeps things interesting for both man and dogs. On the opener the goal was 1 bird. When I got my 2nd bird my son said, "Dad, we smoked our goal!" If his expectations would've been to line the entire tailgate with birds, his take on whether it was a success or not wouldn't have been as positive.

I don't pretend anything hunter94; I truly mean it when I say that this past opener was the most fulfilling opener for me in a long time, maybe the most fulfilling ever. I'm incredibly excited about what the remainder of the season will hold for me and the boys.

I understand completely, especially with the kids.....have fun. :cheers:

 

[canthitathing]

You all are very correct, it's the hunting experience we are out there for. This year our group included my 12 yr old grandson and a friends 13 yr old grandson and we wanted the to experience wild birds, and they did. They are both excellent shots, they were both able to take one or two birds each day we hunted. It was great for me to see them so happy. I had the experience of watching my 2 yr old pointing lab come into his own, he came home looking like he went through a war, (got my ass royally chewed by the wife), but that was really worth it seeing the bird work this this young do did. I got to spend some quality time with my family and friends.:coolpics:

 

[Gatzby]

THE BIRDS ARE DOWN!!!!!

That is a very true statement--but ya know what---this has been the best season yet for me--not that many roosters taken or even seen and on my own private--and very good habitat---ground.

It's been the HUNTERS and the DOGS that have made the difference--usually just me and one other and their dogs. Take 35 acres of CRP two guys and a dog and go HUNT--it's really taken me back to when I was younger and had no dog or private land to hunt--in those days we hunted and hard but always had a good time. Now we hunt hard but a little smarter I'd like to think and still have a good time. No rush to be in the field at starting hour or need to hunt till the sun sets.

This year I've watched several very young dogs come of age so to speak and that's been fun---have made new friends--what more can you ask for--Yes this down season has me feeling VERY BLESSED--what more can one ask for.:thumbsup:

JIM

Great post
The pressure is also down. I have had a very succesfull season! I am going to have to buy a third tag!!!!!

 

[quail hound]

Sounds wonderful Jim!:cheers: