CowboyBirdDogs
New member
So I've been reading a lot of the threads on this forum and the general consensus is this season will be a tough one. It happens, its hunting, not shooting. Some areas will obviously be better than others. I have a friend that lives in Mitchell, who hunts NW of there for sharpies and chickens. His theory is that grouse numbers have been down in the months of Sept. and Oct. because the birds are staying in the crops more and more until they're cut.
We've come to SD every year since 2012. The year 2012 was supposed to be one of the worst on record, pheasant and grouse numbers were down 64%. With a lot of boot leather, hard work, and luck, we found a great number of birds. We come for grouse more so than pheasant, they're just a bonus bird to me.
So my question is, is this season predicted to be worse than the 2012 season or better? And do you think everyone will be seeing more birds once the crops come out? I hunt in the central part of the state by the way. All public land. 4 guys, 11 pointing dogs. We have no problem working for our birds. My buddy in SD thinks its just too early to tell what the real numbers will be. He's finding grouse now, not a lot, but he says that's not uncommon for Oct. He's seen very few pheasant but maybe they're still in the crops?
We are coming regardless of bird numbers, we always have good success to some degree. Last year we shot quite a few birds but dog work was tough, other years we don't shoot a ton of birds but get great dog work. I'm happier with more good dog work and less birds in the bag. After the SD trip we head home and its time for Texas bobwhites for 3 months, maybe a trip to New Mexico for blues, and a trip to Kansas.
We'll be there Nov 4th.
Just curious what yalls thoughts are.
We've come to SD every year since 2012. The year 2012 was supposed to be one of the worst on record, pheasant and grouse numbers were down 64%. With a lot of boot leather, hard work, and luck, we found a great number of birds. We come for grouse more so than pheasant, they're just a bonus bird to me.
So my question is, is this season predicted to be worse than the 2012 season or better? And do you think everyone will be seeing more birds once the crops come out? I hunt in the central part of the state by the way. All public land. 4 guys, 11 pointing dogs. We have no problem working for our birds. My buddy in SD thinks its just too early to tell what the real numbers will be. He's finding grouse now, not a lot, but he says that's not uncommon for Oct. He's seen very few pheasant but maybe they're still in the crops?
We are coming regardless of bird numbers, we always have good success to some degree. Last year we shot quite a few birds but dog work was tough, other years we don't shoot a ton of birds but get great dog work. I'm happier with more good dog work and less birds in the bag. After the SD trip we head home and its time for Texas bobwhites for 3 months, maybe a trip to New Mexico for blues, and a trip to Kansas.
We'll be there Nov 4th.
Just curious what yalls thoughts are.