How would you hunt this?

[ben ji]

Apologies for the MS Paint overlays but it's a quarter section dryland field with a 20 and 40 acre CRP patch in it right across from the house in NW KS (the H marks the house).

Typically I will walk the windbreak first to flush out any birds hiding in there because 75% of the time they fly across the street into this field. I'm usually hunting solo with 1 dog so after walking the windbreak I cross the street and will work my dog into the wind to start (normally from the N or W) then make a square along the border of the 20 acre CRP field only going into the center if the dog really wants to.

I've had pretty decent success doing this in the 20 acre area then do the same thing in the 40 acre field but with much less success.

I'd appreciate any advice on how to approach the 40 acre CRP area since I know there are birds in there I'm just not getting many of them. Last year that field was planted in wheat and cut with a stripper head so it was loaded with pheasants, the only downside is the tall stubble and straight rows gave the birds plenty of chances to run away in a straight line....Its planted in corn this year.

 

[Weimdogman]

I always try and hunt down and back and down and back to push the birds to the end.

 

[SDinWI]

I think you have a solid plan, it's just difficult with a one dog/man show sometimes. I'd only say that you could spice up the routine a bit in how you walk the patches in case they have you figured out - I.e. the birds all huddle in the middle in the 20 acre patch if they know you usually skirt the edges. Larger sizes are harder so playing the wind and following edges are two other components you're rightfully adding to the mix.

 

[Gatzby]

With an experienced dog I wouldn't hesitate to hunt generally into the wind, and let the dog dictate where you go.

 

[Weimdogman]

With an experienced dog I wouldn't hesitate to hunt generally into the wind, and let the dog dictate where you go.

Not being argumentative but..... a experienced dog works the wind no matter which way you are going.

 

[ben ji]

I always try and hunt down and back and down and back to push the birds to the end.

I do this on a longer 20 acre CRP piece a little bit away and have had success. That piece is only 100 yards wide though and goes all the way across the quarter section at the back end so its easier to work the back and forth on.

Might try it on this square 20 acre area next fall. I was thinking it wasn't thin enough to get them moving in one direction with the down and back push towards the end, figured they might slip behind me since it's just a generic square.

 

[Weimdogman]

Might try it on this square 20 acre area next fall. I was thinking it wasn't thin enough to get them moving in one direction with the down and back push towards the end, figured they might slip behind me since it's just a generic square.

No doubt some will get by you but you are hunting them not trying to eradicate them.