Clothesline dawg?

[beach004]

Two years ago I was in Easter, TX for opening day; that evening watching TV, I saw a technique new to me (but then, pheasant hunting itself is new to me). These folks had a 100 foot-long clothesline, stretched between two of them, hunting CRP land. The idea was to flush the birds between the two hunters, many of which otherwise just sit there and let you walk by.

Since we fly in from North Carolina, and can't bring a dog, I thought this worth a try, so I made one stab at it, with my daughter on the other end of the line, in Nebraska last year. The jury is out, for us; we didn't flush any birds, but then, we didn't see any in that field, regardless, so who knows? It works OK logistically if the cover is fairly uniform--obviously if there are trees over four feet or so, it's going to be a pain to do this for long.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in this odd approach; we are going to South Dakota in a month, and again, no dog, so I'm thinking of trying it again. Thanks for any insights,
Beach004

 

[jeffstally]

I am not sure, it might work. However, I think you would have WAY more fun if you had a dog. I think there are quite a few good boykin breeders down in your neck of the woods.

 

[FCSpringer]

I have heard of farmers way back that stretched log chains between tractors for deer and pheasants. But without a dog it can be tough to find a bird without a dog. Why not get yourself a dog? and really enjoy yourself.

 

[beach004]

Clothesline dawg expanded

As (I think) I explained in greater, boring length in my Introduction email, I am a reluctantly-retired quail hunter. For 50 years I owned never less than two setters, and hunted three states, from the first opening day till the end of February, every Saturday, every holiday, all of Thanksgiving, all of Xmas; it's a wonder my marriage survived! I've stood behind three dogs, all my own (a Brittany, a Gordon and an English), backing and pointing a covey; I've watched my beloved First Setter hold a covey of quail, on the banks of the Rapidan River in Virginia, for 45 minutes, while we waited for Dad to find us. I loved every minute of it, and will someday write a book.

But that's gone, in these parts; I have one pet setter, elderly and with hip dysplasia (that's the dog; I'm not much better myself); between us, my daughter (lives nearby) and I have six dogs, the result of some low-life abandoning a litter on a busy road near us. So another dog is not a good possibility!

But if it were, it still makes very little sense: At most, I might get to hunt pheasants four days a year. So I'd have to buy, keep, transport, etc. a dog, to point a bird which, in my limited experience, doesn't lend itself to being pointed--Bob White is a gentleman; he waits for you! So, I share your love of dogs, and how much they can add to a hunt; I wouldn't hunt quail again, even if I could, over someone else's dogs. But the ideal is the enemy of the good, and hunting pheasants has brought renewed joy to my hunting life, these past few years, even without man's best friend.
Regards,
Beach004