Evolution of pheasant hunting in SW Kansas

Sometimes we get a little too gloomy. We've got walk-in, public areas, hunting clubs and game preserves. Plenty of opportunities, especially if you've got some cash, right?

I think there are a couple things that factor into our current view of upland hunting. First, it was always better in 'the old days' because we tend to remember the successes and forget the failures. I can remember a lot of good birds, places, dogs, weather, etc. If I put my mind to it I can remember total busts, but why would I do that? My mind always drift back to the good hunts. Maybe I'm lucky that way.

Second, I wonder how much real 'hunting' goes on when I hear people griping about conditions. I know it's not easy to get out and hunt/scout around locations when you're 2, 3, 4+ hours away. It's not even easy to hunt/scout close to home with the short days, full work weeks and weekends packed with things to do. But the guys that are consistently successful are always the ones putting in the effort and hunting smart.

Some folks just gotta gripe. (Others gotta brag, but that's a different topic). I try to keep my nose down and figure out how to make it work. You know, HUNT!
 
ness said:
Sometimes we get a little too gloomy. We've got walk-in, public areas, hunting clubs and game preserves. Plenty of opportunities, especially if you've got some cash, right?

I think there are a couple things that factor into our current view of upland hunting. First, it was always better in 'the old days' because we tend to remember the successes and forget the failures. I can remember a lot of good birds, places, dogs, weather, etc. If I put my mind to it I can remember total busts, but why would I do that? My mind always drift back to the good hunts. Maybe I'm lucky that way.

Second, I wonder how much real 'hunting' goes on when I hear people griping about conditions. I know it's not easy to get out and hunt/scout around locations when you're 2, 3, 4+ hours away. It's not even easy to hunt/scout close to home with the short days, full work weeks and weekends packed with things to do. But the guys that are consistently successful are always the ones putting in the effort and hunting smart.

Some folks just gotta gripe. (Others gotta brag, but that's a different topic). I try to keep my nose down and figure out how to make it work. You know, HUNT!
Click to expand...

Another great post!
 
Guys I apologize if I came off pissy. I just have seen years when farming has relied on the marginal acres that were make better cover.
Most all replies were what I was thinking but unable to type. Troy said it best about the chemical company way of farming.
For the record this was the best to thread I have read on here.
 
There are certainly cycles.

There are the climate cycles that we have no control over. I have a practice of viewing my land after a big snow storm or blizzard to critique my habitat and think, if I were a critter living off the land could I survive. On the other hand, the past few years with this drought I had this helpless feeling as I viewed my land and knew that there was nothing I could do to help the critters. The land was hot, it was bone dry and the winds were like blast furnaces. Somehow in spite of all of this there were some survivors and, praise God, they are multiplying.

Now there are also economic cycles. These can get a little complex and can be driven by the market conditions, weather conditions around the world, supply and demand, and the farm program. One thing that comes to mind is government programs we have seen in the last hundred years. The Soil Bank was a program that benefited the upland game and more recently the CRP program.

Let me talk about the CRP program. Originally, to enroll land in the program a calculation was done to determine soil loss due to erosion. Upland soils were subject to water erosion and sandy soils to wind erosion. A cover crop was planted and used to protect the soil while a grass crop was interseeded and established. Upland bird populations exploded in the early years in the mix of cover crop, annual weeds and early grass development. As the grasses matured it was discovered that a pure grass stand is not the answer for upland birds and refinements and enhancements were made to include forbs and legumes in the grass stands.

We have all seen the decrease in CRP acres over the years as the CRP rates have decreased and the cash rents, land values and commodity prices have increased. One big benefit of the CRP program was a reduction of crop land acres and this increased the grain prices.

Now where are we today? Grain prices are going down and risk going lower. Several things could push grain lower including the recent sharp decline of petroleum prices. Will we see price supports come into play again? Likely. Will the farm program look at promoting an expanded CRP program? Maybe.

Here is my two cents. I think the CRP program can be a good vehicle to achieve some positive results, some such as:

1) Cleaner air
2) Cleaner water
3) A reduction of crop land acres that helps support a decent grain price and eliminates price supports.
4) A much improved world for the little critters that live in it every day and that is the thing that really excites those of us that frequent this forum.

I hope brighter days lie ahead for all of us that enjoy days in the field with dogs and friends.
 
Wow, thanks for summing it up! Hunting the phez since '70 heading back for the 4th trip to MT tomorrow. KS was unreal prior to the most recent bout of drought 2010? What a great place to hunt in January when it's still in the 40's/50's and the vast tracts of land. Can't wait to revisit your wonderful state. Cheers!
 
Maynard, great post and insight from a farmer/rancher that is interested in being a steward of the land and critters! I hope there are many more with your mindset and goals out there.
Wolf
 
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