How many birds do you shoot in a season?

benelli-banger said:
I hunt pheasants in SD about 30-35 days, some years more, depending on the weather…luckily, the last several years the Dec/Jan timeframes have been mild and allowed for lots of hunting. I cook a lot of my birds after each trip, and share with friends who enjoy what I cook…and, I do have friends/family who like receiving pheasants. And, each guy that joins me goes home with legal possession limits, regardless of what they shot on the trip. I’m licensed in ND, SD, MN…how many can I possess? I’m a MN resident. I breast my birds and freeze the meat in ziplock bags about 3 birds per bag, I force the air out and roll the bag up and it looks like a pork tenderloin. Just how I do it. I don’t think I’m required to have a wing or spur or head attached once it’s in my freezer. But again, i
don’t think I ever have more than my SD, ND, MN possession limit at any one time..,I enjoy cooking it fresh…my mechanic and his guys enjoy it, my former office colleague’s do as well, as do 2-3 other misc friends…but my math says I can possess over 30 based on my licenses. But I know many guys who hunt preserves and don’t even need licenses for that, and don’t have limits…am I supposed to be concerned about those birds? I’m not. I’ve never had a warden come to my home, never heard of anyone having it happen, unless they’re involved in egregious game violations of some kind. Rare would be the year I
don’t shoot north of 100, but it’s a function of hunting 30+ days, owning land in SD that’s home to good bird #’s, and having many farmer friends who have good habitat…I’ve been in this area over 30 years. It’s 66 degrees right now, I’m watching my pal who arrived today hunt.. it’s day 5 for me, I’m giving the dogs a break…my 6 year old gets hot even when it’s 40 and sunny…luckily the spot we hunted earlier had 3 stock dams full of water…I like being here, don’t feel compelled to hunt all day every day…usually when I’ve got groups we do that…throughout the season, I probably average 4 per day, but it’s higher than that in Dec/Jan, and lower than that in Oct, and probably right at 4 in Nov…if I’m alone or with one guy, I’m not too motivated to hunt a lot if it’s warm…October and early Nov are those times..I’ve shot 10 or 11 this trip, I believe…I get as much joy having my friends do well…but there’s enough for all who are willing to work for them. Got another, should have had2! Beautiful golden hour!!!!!☀️☀️☀️☀️
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I agree with your reasoning. I once did a three state hunt in one day. Before I started I asked a game warden what I should do to make sure and be legal if I had more that one day limit in any state. He was never confronted with that question before but said as long as I had licenses in each state and could sure where I have l harvested each bird he would not be able to bring a case against me. The particular state my friend hunts in has this to say about possession limits. "The possession limit at one’s personal permanent residence is unlimited." Each state has different laws for possession. But we have gotten off the question of this thread. I want guys to celebrate their success. I thought it would be fun to hear how others are doing this year. I believe most guys who regularly post on this site are law abiding citizens who love to chase roosters in the fall. So guys if you want to brag about how many you have shot this year, here is your opportunity! I will live vicariously through you as well. Happy hunting guys and be safe.
 
Bottom line, one trip to SD is 15 birds, that’s more than I can possess evidently as a MN resident with a MN license. Stupid if I can’t legally have my 15 SD birds despite the MN possession limit being less. Come and get me, this is a ludicrous discussion in that case. I’m a criminal, I guess. If you’re wracking your brain over this minutia, go hunting instead…
 
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Possession limits are stupid. I should be able to catch as many fish as I want or shoot as many birds as I want if im doing a fish fry or big party or something as long as I followed the daily limits.

But for the original question, id guess ill shoot 40-50 his year and thats a big year for me. Especially late season, I may hunt for 2 hours and get one, then head home.
 
My buddy who showed up today made a pheasant cheese chowder with opening week birds here in SD…awesome! Hope he wasn’t illegal bringing the chowder that had cubes of 6 SD birds…we’re here in SD. 😜
 
Hunting per regulations requires integerty. Doing the right thing when no one is there to know. Surprisingly, few people possess this trait in their daily lives.
 
remy3424 said:
Hunting per regulations requires integerty. Doing the right thing when no one is there to know. Surprisingly, few people possess this trait in their daily lives.
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This is your response to the question about whether I can legally have 15 pheasants from SD when I return to MN, as a MN resident? By the way, people may not even hunt in their home state, so can they even possess any pheasants in that case, if they’re not licensed in MN? Just curious. If these “conundrums” create ethical gymnastics for people, I’m shocked. But I’m shocked by lots of things. From my perspective, traveling to other states, and buying licenses, and supporting the farmers and landowners who create and cultivate habitat, or to even simply hunt public ground, but spend their $ in these small towns, are doing something positive for wildlife. Sitting at home, back in MN, and not going because I’d return with more than my legal MN limit is about the craziest logic I’ve ever heard. Especially on a forum like this that is populated by hunters….not anti-hunters, wacko’s, etc.
 
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remy3424 said:
Hunting per regulations requires integerty. Doing the right thing when no one is there to know. Surprisingly, few people possess this trait in their daily lives.
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You know who you know…you evidently don’t know who I know! Friday am, at 9:55 am, I passed 3 hunters waiting for the 10 am start time here in SD…MN plates…I waved, and kept driving…it looked like a couple adults and a young kid…about 100 yards past them, a rooster ducked from the gravel into a small slough within the CREP…I could have made a play on the bird, I’ve shot them in that very slough under the same circumstances. I backed up the 100 yards and told the trio about the rooster, and encouraged them to go after it, knowing there was a young hunter. They went after it. 90 minutes later, I was driving by, and they were approaching their truck. The kid had a bird in his vest, and they had had some additional success in that CREP. Turns out I know the grandpa, not terribly well, but I know him…from MN…I had them join me on some private ground that afternoon that I have access to. As of today, the 12 year old has gotten 3 roosters so far, and he’s over the moon ecstatic. Go ahead and judge me, go ahead and judge anyone else here as well. I just edited my post, removing a statement that expressed my strong displeasure to your thoughts. I’ll instead quote Don Rumsfeld, former Secretary of Defense…”I have a minimum of high regard for your opinions you’ve expressed here.” I’m sure you’re a fine guy…😁
 
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remy3424 said:
Hunting per regulations requires integerty. Doing the right thing when no one is there to know. Surprisingly, few people possess this trait in their daily lives.
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To a point. Regs are laws. Some laws are dumb. I dont think the government should be able to tell me I have to wear a seatbelt. In SD, its a secondary offense meaning you cant make stops for it. Small fine as well. In Iowa, primary offense and a giant fine. Government overreach.
If a guy catches his daily limit in perch a day to help provide for a fish fry for his church during Lent but is over his possession, Im sure as hell not turning him in. Out spotlighting deer? Ya I might call the law on that.
Non-tox shotguns shell laws have always annoyed me. The law says I gotta use certain shells in certain places even though those shells are known to not kill as well. Ill follow along as I dont want the fine that Im sure Ill receive if checked, but it’s a stupid law.
As Ive gotten older, Ive relied less and less on what the government tells me is the “right thing”.
 
remy3424 said:
Hunting per regulations requires integerty. Doing the right thing when no one is there to know. Surprisingly, few people possess this trait in their daily lives.
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There’s a ton of GOOD people in this world…I won’t associate with bad eggs. I’m constantly reminded of the good that’s out there…daily. Yes, some bad eggs…I don’t put up with their shit. Lots of really good people out there…I’ve met several on this forum.
 
Labradinger said:
To a point. Regs are laws. Some laws are dumb. I dont think the government should be able to tell me I have to wear a seatbelt. In SD, its a secondary offense meaning you cant make stops for it. Small fine as well. In Iowa, primary offense and a giant fine. Government overreach.
If a guy catches his daily limit in perch a day to help provide for a fish fry for his church during Lent but is over his possession, Im sure as hell not turning him in. Out spotlighting deer? Ya I might call the law on that.
Non-tox shotguns shell laws have always annoyed me. The law says I gotta use certain shells in certain places even though those shells are known to not kill as well. Ill follow along as I dont want the fine that Im sure Ill receive if checked, but it’s a stupid law.
As Ive gotten older, Ive relied less and less on what the government tells me is the “right thing”.
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^^This. Once the game is to your residence and processed it should be the same as any other food, not saying that's the law in you particular state but I feel it should be. Big Brother isn't regulating food storage...yet.
 
These regulations are made to protect the natural resources that this country has. They are inplace so hopefully future generations can also enjoy what we have. Take them away and people being what there they are, would over-hunt until there would be none left.

When I said "integerty", I meant in EVERYTHING one does. From marital infidelaties, to hunting, to cheating on your income taxes....that is what I referred to "few possess it"...not just hunting. I would like to think most here behave in the field with ethics and integrity, we know not all do, as you read about poaching incidences every year, supposedly by sportsmen. We sportsman would do well to "act integerous" while hunting and enjoying our natural resources, which as a group, I think the vast majority do. If you are a respected sportsman, people will mimic what they see you do, be a great example out there guys.

This seems like an annual thing here.
 
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remy3424 said:
These regulations are made to protect the natural resources that this country has. They are inplace so hopefully future generations can also enjoy what we have. Take them away and people being what there they are, would over-hunt until there would be none left.

When I said "integerty", I meant in EVERYTHING one does. From marital infidelaties, to hunting, to cheating on your income taxes....that is what I referred to "few possess it"...not just hunting. I would like to think most here behave in the field with ethics and integrity, we know not all do, as you read about poaching incidences every year, supposedly by sportsmen. We sportsman would do well to "act integerous" while hunting and enjoying our natural resources, which as a group, I think the vast majority do. If you are a respected sportsman, people will mimic what they see you do, be a great example out there guys.

This seems like an annual thing here.
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Totally agree. I think sometimes your born with it or learn it by example. Other times it comes from age. And some never acquire it.
 
remy3424 said:
These regulations are made to protect the natural resources that this country has. They are inplace so hopefully future generations can also enjoy what we have. Take them away and people being what there they are, would over-hunt until there would be none left.

When I said "integerty", I meant in EVERYTHING one does. From marital infidelaties, to hunting, to cheating on your income taxes....that is what I referred to "few possess it"...not just hunting. I would like to think most here behave in the field with ethics and integrity, we know not all do, as you read about poaching incidences every year, supposedly by sportsmen. We sportsman would do well to "act integerous" while hunting and enjoying our natural resources, which as a group, I think the vast majority do. If you are a respected sportsman, people will mimic what they see you do, be a great example out there guys.

This seems like an annual thing here.
Click to expand...
Speak to the specific issues raised by this thread, that is, am I lacking integrity and ethics if I live in MN or another state like Ohio or Wisconsin or Indiana and I travel to SD, ND, MT, etc and bird hunt a lot? Is MN setting its possession limit of 6 birds so that it helps the resources in the aforementioned states that have abundant bird populations? I don’t think so. If you want to proselytize here about the broad topic of integrity and ethics, that’s your prerogative, start a different thread. Every game warden that I know back home knows countless guys who travel to bird hunt, and by definition would be over their MN possession limit upon returning from their first trip alone. And I guarantee you those wardens don’t go and inspect those freezers. What the phuck
are we even talking about here? Absurd, in my opinion….
 
If we want to do something constructive for the resources, invest time and energy and $ getting kids out hunting and fishing. I have talked to countless businesses this season here in SD and different groups of hunters as well who bemoan the fact that youth hunter recruitment is very difficult…the #’s aren’t there. I know this personally, as do many of my hunting buddies. The lack of hunters down the road spells trouble for the resources, IMO. But, carry on in the meantime preaching and proselytizing about ethics and integrity here if you must. I’m heading home, gonna get some chores done, then heading back in several days, temps look really good this coming weekend and early next week…
 
Im at 28. Hunted a three day group hunt in SD…that helps the number with a couple days on nice private in IA. Got around 70 last year. Probably one of my best years ever. Last year at some point my wife informed me how many days I’d hunted, who does that🤣. I’m not shy at giving them away, and eat the rest. I always tell myself that I should not be scared of accountability. I grow and change daily. Right is right and wrong is wrong
 
We can chat here in flowery terms about protecting “resources”, etc…we’re bird hunters here, mostly pheasant hunters; I drive across MN dozens of times annually, I see birds only when I get near the SW or W part of the state…where there’s habitat! What we need to promote, and protect, and create, is habitat…”blinding flash of the phucking obvious!” So preach about whatever you want…it’s simple…if habitat is stable or increasing, we’re heading in the right direction…if it’s decreasing, for whatever reason, we’re heading in the wrong direction. Each guy here has to evaluate for himself how he’s impacting habitat through his behavior, and choices, and $ spent. Pure and simple. If by hunting more, in various locales that WANT hunters to come and hunt, as bolstered as well by that states game regs, then make your choices as you see fit and feel good about your contribution to the habitat effort. That’s all bird hunting is about….habitat. Sitting at home and being ethical and virtuous and replete with integrity, as witnessed by your local community who must really be lucky to have you in their orbit, is great…sounds great. Enjoy that. This endeavor called pheasant hunting is all about habitat creation, retention, improvement, etc. We all need to figure out for ourselves how we can influence that. I know what I’ve done, and do each year, and I’m content with that. Carry on, sorry if my comments are loquacious and a bit pointed, but this one really frosts my ass…
 
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