First time to KS, Swing and a miss

J

JohnnyMac

New member
Not sure where we went wrong, but spent a few days around the Osborne area.
With two dogs and two hunters only managed a couple of hen flushes. Put on a lot of miles around the area going from WIHA to WIHA area and did not see a bird on the road either. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
That's why its called hunting, I've done the same thing several times but I have to keep going back. Some hunts are just more productive than others but not always better.
 
That stinks, I hope to have better luck first part of January when we head to that area, driving all the way from Ohio.
 
JohnnyMac said:
Not sure where we went wrong, but spent a few days around the Osborne area.
With two dogs and two hunters only managed a couple of hen flushes. Put on a lot of miles around the area going from WIHA to WIHA area and did not see a bird on the road either. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Might try again in the snow , if I don't find birds in an area where habitat is correct I go to another area . Did you move any Quail ?
 
There are some weather shadows in the state. Brittman has it right, if you don't find birds in an area in 1 day, move 40 miles and try another area. Locking yourself to 1 spot can mean all good or all bad real easy!
 
Lots of low bird population areas in the state after several years of poor numbers including last year.
 
sorry to disagree, but maybe not all of Kansas has a improving bird population, but in a certain part of the state bird numbers are way up.
On opening weekend, we couldn't of been any happier. Have talked to others who have hunted the same general area most are seeing lots of birds.
My son, who is in the area this week walked 1/4 mile Tuesday, ( no names, he was on the clock), shot two, saw over 40 birds, and saw a ton on the roads.
Look for heavy cover, walk slow, My son he walked 5 -6 steps, stop for 30 seconds or so, repeat. birds at his feet.
This is not new information, this is how to hunt phez. Any old timer will tell you the same thing, slow slow slow, and when you think your going slow enough, slow down some more.
Zig zag while your walking, just don't walk a straight line, or go the easy way, those roosters are real quick to pick up on our patterns, so you got to out think them.
Sorry for the rant, just tired of all the crying.
 
Keep working at it. You will find the ''honey holes''. You probably put in more truck miles than boot miles. I don't mean that to be critical. We did the same thing the first year we hunted there or any of the other states we hunt with a public access system. Theres a learning curve for sure. There's definitely years that you gotta drive more and go further.
 
gsh lover said:
sorry to disagree, but maybe not all of Kansas has a improving bird population, but in a certain part of the state bird numbers are way up.
On opening weekend, we couldn't of been any happier. Have talked to others who have hunted the same general area most are seeing lots of birds.
My son, who is in the area this week walked 1/4 mile Tuesday, ( no names, he was on the clock), shot two, saw over 40 birds, and saw a ton on the roads.
Look for heavy cover, walk slow, My son he walked 5 -6 steps, stop for 30 seconds or so, repeat. birds at his feet.
This is not new information, this is how to hunt phez. Any old timer will tell you the same thing, slow slow slow, and when you think your going slow enough, slow down some more.
Zig zag while your walking, just don't walk a straight line, or go the easy way, those roosters are real quick to pick up on our patterns, so you got to out think them.
Sorry for the rant, just tired of all the crying.
Click to expand...

I hunted north of Osborne this fall and had similar results, if the birds aren't there, they just aren't there. Your method of hunting is good advice if you do not have a dog, that is how we hunted in college with good results.

I don't think anyone was "crying", possibly complaining due to possibly being mislead by promising forecasts, but not crying.

Rut
 
gsh lover said:
sorry to disagree, but maybe not all of Kansas has a improving bird population, but in a certain part of the state bird numbers are way up.
On opening weekend, we couldn't of been any happier. Have talked to others who have hunted the same general area most are seeing lots of birds.
My son, who is in the area this week walked 1/4 mile Tuesday, ( no names, he was on the clock), shot two, saw over 40 birds, and saw a ton on the roads.
Look for heavy cover, walk slow, My son he walked 5 -6 steps, stop for 30 seconds or so, repeat. birds at his feet.
This is not new information, this is how to hunt phez. Any old timer will tell you the same thing, slow slow slow, and when you think your going slow enough, slow down some more.
Zig zag while your walking, just don't walk a straight line, or go the easy way, those roosters are real quick to pick up on our patterns, so you got to out think them.
Sorry for the rant, just tired of all the crying.
Click to expand...

The man was asking wear he went wrong I'm guessing to improve his next trip or get a feel for other hunters in the area if it was his bad luck or no birds... I did not get the feel for him crying or complaining???

Like mentioned above if u don't have a dog walk like a snail who is lost??? But I'm curious don't the pheasants in KS run run run late season like pheasants in SD MN NE & ND I've hunted????

Prairie drifter has the idea & brittman don't be locked into 1 area if not moving birds in prime habitat mite have to move & try a new region especially if a slow walking guy just hunted the area you just pulled up to to hunt...

Dont hunt WK ends & get way the hell outta town b4 u hunt next time is all I'd say if u did not do that already...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top