SDJIM
New member
NO ESCAPE!!!
-- it appears you have not hunted WILD birds--they always have a way to escape and they find it. You wold indeed need an army to cut off all escape routes but SD limits hunting parties to 20. Just my 2 cents worth
Bird numbers down, but had best year yet!
- Thread starter southernroots
- Start date
NO ESCAPE!!!
-- it appears you have not hunted WILD birds--they always have a way to escape and they find it. You wold indeed need an army to cut off all escape routes but SD limits hunting parties to 20. Just my 2 cents worth
CowboyBirdDogs
New member
Actually I have hunted wild birds. Which is not what the huge groups are doing. That is called shooting. And for that, there are shooting preserves. he k just set the field on fire and wait until they all fly out, that way they don't have to march.
SDJIM
New member
So if you have 2 to 4 hunters and a couple of dogs and proceed to hunt a small--say 5 acre field that is ok but if you have 12 hunters and 8 dogs (our opening day group) and proceed to hunt a 35 acre field of 3 to 5 foot tall CRP then thats not a fair chase hunt its just shooting? I can assure you that plenty of the several hundred birds seen got away without a shot even fired at them.
If you want to hunt alone or with a small group that is just fine and I'm sure you do a good job at it. Just don't dish those that get large groups of family and friends together for a traditional pheasant hunt.
There are a set of rules posted by the state of SD in a small easy to carry booklet-- just follow those rules and it should be ok. I'm sorry that some of those rules offend you somehow but they are the rules.
The old burn the field coment is just way out of line--get real, heck it's Christmas--be nice.
You can have that last word as I shall not make any more comments on this subject--Merry Christmas and have a great new year.:cheers:
If you want to hunt alone or with a small group that is just fine and I'm sure you do a good job at it. Just don't dish those that get large groups of family and friends together for a traditional pheasant hunt.
There are a set of rules posted by the state of SD in a small easy to carry booklet-- just follow those rules and it should be ok. I'm sorry that some of those rules offend you somehow but they are the rules.
The old burn the field coment is just way out of line--get real, heck it's Christmas--be nice.
You can have that last word as I shall not make any more comments on this subject--Merry Christmas and have a great new year.:cheers:
CowboyBirdDogs
New member
Hey don't take the highroad before I can! Trust me I don't do a good job at hunting with just 2 people. But as a bird dog enthusiast, I just don't like to see the armies just marching through a field blasting everything that flies. It's frustrating when people shoot 140 birds in 3 days like that. 2 guys hunting with pointing breeds or small groups with flushers only get 6-12 in the bag at the same time. It basically boils down to do you like to watch the dogs, or just shoot. But I think if most marchers went to a tower shoot, they'd never go back to SD or KS. Merry Christmas! We can agree to disagree! :thumbsup:
UGUIDE
Active member
There is no right or wrong. I hunted small groups in Iowa for years and just had to adapt to large groups style hunting in SD. It is just a very good way to get it done. All things aside I actually prefer the 1 dog, 1 guy and 1 bird at a time experience.
However, both tactics require skilss in all areas of strategy, shooting and dog work. One is more team sport the other more individual. :cheers:
However, both tactics require skilss in all areas of strategy, shooting and dog work. One is more team sport the other more individual. :cheers:
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
I'm afraid this thread could be headed in the wrong direction so I want to stop that from happening. We all have different hunting styles and there is no right or wrong so long as it's being done legally. If you don't like large groups, that's fine. Just remember some people do. (Personally I do not!) But please don't condemn those with a different viewpoint.
I agree, big discussion of nothing of substance. I'm sure that bird that fell to the single hunter or small group dies a happy bird because a "big" group", whatever definition we have for that, didn't get him! Merry Christmas everybody. It's supposed to be fun.
SDJIM
New member
Counting my blessings
Your right oldandnew, It's supposed to be fun and it is-I enjoy doing the habatit work the most and really enjoy watching other people having a good time hunting.
I consider myself very blessed in that I got to meet several of the UPH members this year because of the habatit work I've done over the last six years and ya know what--all of those hunts were with one two or three hunters and a dog or two. Good people and good dogs chasing the wild ring neck-----what more can you ask.
Thank you----you made my hunting this year a true joy. :thumbsup:
JIM
Your right oldandnew, It's supposed to be fun and it is-I enjoy doing the habatit work the most and really enjoy watching other people having a good time hunting.
I consider myself very blessed in that I got to meet several of the UPH members this year because of the habatit work I've done over the last six years and ya know what--all of those hunts were with one two or three hunters and a dog or two. Good people and good dogs chasing the wild ring neck-----what more can you ask.
Thank you----you made my hunting this year a true joy. :thumbsup:
JIM
Tower hunting huh? I'm not sure that comment is even worth a reply... I'm lucky enough to hunt 20+ days a season here in South Dakota and let me tell you something... My best days in the field were with my "Army"... My "Army" consists of Grandfathers, Fathers, Sons, Uncles, Cousins and Friends... My "Army" doesn't care who shot what or how many... My "Army" would get together every year to walk a plowed field just to be together and spend time in Gods country.... My "Army" is lucky enough to have land that's been managed correctly and holds birds, and we're lucky enough that we get to shoot our limit more then not. My "Army" has been gathering opening weekend way before my time and with Gods graces hopefully my sons will carry on long after.
Don't get me wrong, me and my dogs love our alone time, but there's nothing in this world like spending quality time with friends and family, doing something we love together.
You my friend sound like a bitter man, I can tell you've never been part of a Family, opps I mean "Army", like ours. I post a lot of pictures on here, I hope it doesn't come off as bragging, because I'm not. I'm proud of my Family, and I'd post pictures even if there wasn't a dead bird in them.
I'm done now.....
Steve
only a pointer
Banned
how do you not find birds in south dak? yes the southern part i could see not having birds but i guarantee if i was hunting around pierre i could be done in 2 or 3 hours it dont get any easier! And this is on walk in
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
Read some of my other posts about hunting around Watertown. The birds are probably down 90%+ from a year ago. I've hunted many walk-in and public areas and never seen a bird, or maybe 1 hen in a day. This right now is probably the worst area of the state. However, today I had access to some private land south of Clark and did get me limit. Hurray!!
only a pointer
Banned
ok you meant just around watertown i thought you meant the state, but i have heard the whole state was down but for a first timer like me wow it seemed like tons of birds to me hard to beleive the limit is just 3 and in ks its 4 just dont undrstand that one? but we have discussed that on here before lol
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
Yes, my comments were in regards to the Watertown area. Overall the state was down, but there is still some excellent hunting in most areas.
Answer is simple ...CRP Gone, Birds Gone.
UGUIDE
Active member
I'd say that's a safe bet Safari, especially considers the AG trends.
However, I feel it is a three legged stool maybe four unless you lump CRP and AG Trends together.
The other 2 legs are "weather" and "Population cycles".
Case in point is that everyone is say last winter was worse than one before. I disagree. In winter of 2009 I didn't winter not one bird on my west farm and had decent numbers the next year.
Winter of 2010 showed less snow in the fields and I wintered all kinds of birds on both farms and had way fewer birds to show for it this year.
Habitat does not always do it for you but you can't soley rely on weahter and population cycles either.
Yes UGuide..you are one of the few still around when I was sounding the alarm bells back in 06', 07' and 08'. You remember some of my exchanges with Bennelli Banger on the old "Pheasant Country" website.
I am sorry to report that my dire predictions have come true:
1) SD Bird Numbers down by 75% since 2007.
2) Massive Habitat Loss starting in Eastern SD and working its way west.
Heck we don't even hear from Bennelli Banger anymore. His place is in Sandborn County if I recall. I am sure he is shocked by the magnitude of it all...I'll bet you bird numbers are off by 90% in Sandborn County since 07'.
Yes weather has something to do with it BUT the birds will not recover if there is no habitat when milder weather returns.
I am sorry to report that my dire predictions have come true:
1) SD Bird Numbers down by 75% since 2007.
2) Massive Habitat Loss starting in Eastern SD and working its way west.
Heck we don't even hear from Bennelli Banger anymore. His place is in Sandborn County if I recall. I am sure he is shocked by the magnitude of it all...I'll bet you bird numbers are off by 90% in Sandborn County since 07'.
Yes weather has something to do with it BUT the birds will not recover if there is no habitat when milder weather returns.
Uncle Buck
New member
Have not hunted with Benelli Banger this year, but he had as many if not more, late season last year on his quarter.
Are the birds down in the area? Yes, but he has the habitat to produce them and provide winter cover.
Are the birds down in the area? Yes, but he has the habitat to produce them and provide winter cover.
Yes..even back then I never said that Banger himself would be without birds.
What I did say, and I believe to be true, is that he would increasingly be an "oasis" surrounded by a biological desert for wildlife (pheasants).
UGUIDE
Active member
Well give us someting to fight for and with Safari. We all know where things are headed. What is the solution?
Good to have you back posting agina by the way.
Solution...Say a prayer, close your eyes, hold your breath AND take what comes.
Hey I will be at Pheasant Fest in KC by the way..I will be with the Missouri QF contingent as we will be hosting the event this year.