Dust Bowl 2012, AKA 2012 Opener

M. R. Byrd

M. R. Byrd

Well-known member
The opening day of 2012 is like none other in my lifetime. In my travels I saw absolutely no hunters. I know of several restaurants that had 5 A.M. breakfasts with zero hunters there. Conditions were certainly very poor and by afternoon it was black out with blowing dirt. Then about 5 P.M. while at a wedding, the lightning flashed, the thunder rolled and the skies opened for a bit.

I doubt if many of the hardened hunters that braved this opener will have bag limits, but there will be a better opener. Plan on it.
 
yeah, this is so sad, for a lot of people, not just hunters. this is the 2nd year i have not hunted Kansas, due to the drought.....i would prefer to hunt here, rather than drive all the way to SD, but there is just no sense in it...i am sure the state will feel the loss of revenue, maybe next year......but it will take a huge turnaround in moisture.....hang in there everyone.
 
Maynard hang in there!!! We were expecting 1 inch of snow, got 4-6! Maybe this thing is going to turn around for everyone. I will be out before Jan to find me that elusive Chicken (PC) !!! Hope I do not miss!!:cheers:
 
Here is a picture my son took in South Central Kansas yesterday 11-10-12. A tough day to hunt here, but it was good to get out.
 
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I saw quite a few hunters out around the Hays area yesterday. A lot more then last year actually, but with the wind and heat I doubt if many birds were taken.
 
Another day that I saw absolutely zero hunters in the field. I did see a couple quail in the ditch and that was it. Coyote, deer and great horned owls a plenty though.
 
Crusaderhunter said:
Here is a picture my son took in South Central Kansas yesterday 11-10-12. A tough day to hunt here, but it was good to get out.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the haying and grazing of CRP land contributed to all that dust. Maybe our ancestors knew what they were doing when they created the CRP program in response to the dust bowl of the '30's!
 
Day 3 and no hunters and I heard no shots fired. Saw no birds. Only activity was bow hunters in their stands and bucks chasing doe.
 
That is true.;)

Now if I had wall to wall hunters and they all had to pee, I could get some moisture in the ground.
 
We are heading out to Ks. next week inspite of the doom and gloom. If we get into birds great! If not, I wasn't at work, I'm out of the house and I get to watch my dogs get it on.

Question: What do y'all think about hunting on WIHA's around reservoirs? Seem like there might be more birds around there with water and all. Any thoughts?
 
Best report I have heard so far is from the group I usually go with opening day around Russell, had prior obligations so I didn't make it. But out of 20 hunters they only harvested 8 birds Saturday and they didn't bother Sunday. Heard reports around Hill City and Stockton, from 2 different groups, each only saw 2 roosters all day Saturday. Still gonna try myself tho, a day in the field is better than a day at work.
 
kansashunting said:
Best report I have heard so far is from the group I usually go with opening day around Russell, had prior obligations so I didn't make it. But out of 20 hunters they only harvested 8 birds Saturday and they didn't bother Sunday. Heard reports around Hill City and Stockton, from 2 different groups, each only saw 2 roosters all day Saturday. Still gonna try myself tho, a day in the field is better than a day at work.
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i would suggest it is time to save what little is left......obviously. :eek:
 
Another day and saw no hunters.

I did have eight mourning dove show up at headquarters.

A few of these around, but no season for them here in SW Kansas.

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