First Oklahoma pheasant of the season.

[mlmich@pldi.net]

Hunted the Drummond Flats WMA Monday and today & walked 2+ hrs each day.
Monday: 3 Quail, saw zero Pheasants
Today: 1 Rooster and flushed one hen, no Quail.
Very few hunters considering opening day was Sunday Dec.1st. I have noticed that the grass in all the 5,000 acres has changed from heavier cover (during the past several years) to a lot less vegetation and the fewest pheasants that i have ever seen. (Have hunted this for nearly 16 years).
Although, I am encouraged that the -Bob White population seems to be on the rise.

 

[mlmich@pldi.net]

Second Oklahoma rooster of the season. Hunted 2 1/2 hrs w/GunnR my GSP. Missed a rooster earlier that he pointed and flushed 2 pointed hens. Hunted Drummond WMA located on the South central edge of the Oklahoma pheasant range.
I Grew up in S.D. and presently own a trailer at Bob's resort where we stay when Grouse hunting (West river) the end of Sept. I than return to hunt Pheasants (east river) the end of Oct. Always have good hunting w/plenty of birds, however the greatest satisfaction has to be hunting Quail and Pheasant in Oklahoma. Bring 77 yrs old and having grown up hunting and one who loves to hunt, it has been my greatest challenge because so few pheasants The rooster I took today was a new one on me. I had finished walking and stopped near my vehicle, standing & watching GunnR work the last little bit about 125 yards out. All of sudden the rooster broke wild and instead of flying straight ahead it swung and headed towards me, it crossed in front of me about 30 yards going right to left, a perfect crossing shot. I dropped him and he fell about 20 yards in front of the car. What makes these Oklahoma pheasants so special is that being so few and far between it is like hitting the lottery every time you bag one.
Two plus hours of walking, maybe 4 seconds of shooting. More than worth it. Will continue to hunt.
To quote Toby Keith, "Don't let the old man in."

 

[Coachanorton]

Good to see you're finding birds. I haven't made it up to Drummond this season. I went out Sunday with some buddies up near Kremlin. Saw a lot of birds, mostly hens. Didn't have a dog with us. Most of them jumped out of range. One of the others did get a rooster and a couple of quail

 

[mlmich@pldi.net]

Met up w/skydiver yesterday at Drummond Flats and we hunted together about 3 hrs, saw several pheasants and 2 covey of quail that busted wild. We did scratch out a rooster for our efforts .Very foggy when we first started and by the time we finished it was beginning to clear. Little wind, only saw one archery hunter and a falconer and no duck or upland hunters.
A great day to be alive and doing what we love to do.

 

[mlmich@pldi.net]

At 11:30a.m today I was rewarded w/my 4th Oklahoma rooster of the hunting season. Have lost one and missed three this season. GunnR worked him back and forth w/the wind to our backs and got in front of him and pinned him solid. Fortunately for me he flew straight ahead and I covered him and the rest they say is - - - - - -!
Very cold today for Oklahoma w/temps in the 20's and wind chill near zero. Saw no other hunters or heard no shots.
Earlier I missed a single quail that busted wild. Saw 2 hens and another rooster but had no shot.
This was my 15th trip this season to Drummond WMA (60 mile round trip).
With so few pheasant it is always a thrill just to see them but to actually kill one, I am beyond excited. Like a kid on Christmas day..
I take nothing for granted and am blessed abundantly to be able to walk and hunt at 77.
The passion is as strong as ever, but the body has slowed. Ha