Last weekend results in Iowa

[remy3424]

Had a final hunt in our CRP this morning, had a group of 5, plus 3 dogs. The temps weren't too bad, but the wind was a difference maker! Wild flushes were the normal, I had one that held reasonably well, got that one one and high flier that screamed by with with range...those shooting situations can humble a normally decent shooter! We lost 2, took 8 home (and were glad to have those), all but 2 were older birds. Too cold and windy to get much for pics. I think we will go out for our last hunt tomorrow. Share your final weekend results!

 

[KSBrittman]

Thanks for sharing , sounds like a good season for you guys !,,

 

[remy3424]

We did have a nice season. It was cold (for me) this morning, started at 3 degrees with 11mph wind. The first 2 waterways held 3 hens total, far from normal, the 3rd parcel was crp, it just hasn't had good bird numbers this year, a couple hens and 2 roosters. One, my hunting buddy put a scare into, as it flushed, it flew into a fence, got knocked-down, got back up and flew away with a couple of ounces of pellets whizzed by him. The final place was a nice waterway we have hunted once a season, the final day of season for 3 years running now. The owner said he chased some hunters out once this year, but otherwise didn't think it had been hunted. While we were hunting it, a truck of hunters came in the backside, where they couldn't be seen from the owner's home (guessing not the first time they had done that) once they saw us, they wheeled around and tore out of there. I anchored 2 and thought I should have had a straight "going-away" shot for my 3rd, but it was like I had forgot to put shot in those shells! My buddy had a few chances but just didn't connect this morning.

My buddy's dog Rowdy had a very good season, I did take Gus (7 month old GSP) with us this morning, he was OK, a long way to go, he did seemed to do his own thing and wasn't messing with Rowdy in the field. Gus is in the cab for this pic.

My back injury cost me 7 outings this season and I stopped filled my buddy's limit, (as party hunting is not allowed as I learned after pheasant hunting for about 45 years), I finished with 30 roosters for this season, exactly half of last season, not a reflection on bird numbers.
Here is a pic from a few weeks back, 3 of us hunting that morning.

Already looking forward to next season and hoping my pup gets things put together. I will check the regs and make sure we are good to keep going out, getting some more bird contacts...need a little snow to get them to sit for him to figure this game out!

 

[cyclonenation10]

Made it out the last 3 days with groups ranging from 4-6 (typically prefer to hunt solo or with 1 other, as group hunting isn't really my "style"). We did very well, despite cold and windy conditions. Ended up with 26 the final weekend.

Finished the season with 250 roosters over my dogs.. numbers were comparable to last year, just landed on a few new honey holes and got out quite a bit more. Quite a bit more hunting pressure this season relative to the last few years, but public birds were still out there (50 of 250 were public birds, mostly solo hunts). Had to work extremely hard for birds, but they are definitely out there.

Now just hoping the winter on the East/SE portion of the State warms up here. It is shaping up to be a tough winter in SE Iowa again here if we don't get a break in the weather soon!

 

[4shot]

Great last weekend in NW IA. Hunted a piece Sunday that was saved till after deer season. Hundreds of birds. Limited out in two hours. Should’ve limited out Sat. Didn’t start till one and some poor shooting.

 

[gimruis]

Slightly jealous that the season was still open last weekend in Iowa. Minnesota needs to alter its season into January.

Funny how there's no snow on the ground whatsoever. Where I hunt in central Minnesota there's like 20 inches of snow.

 

[Huede]

Last hunt yesterday, we should have shot our limit. The birds held well, probably 15 points for the 8 month griffon pup which also scent trailed a winged rooster over 200 yards. We had a fun year, 45 roosters and 11 quail shot over my 2 dogs.

 

[remy3424]

Look, there are places in Iowa with snow! We had snow cover for a day, maybe 2, it didn't last long. I hunted the morning after the snow and it was quite a difference with the birds holding so tight, the dog needed to dig them out at times...and it was no more than 3 inches, closer to 2 inches. Fun and easier to shoot those tight bedded birds, but they are so much better off without the snow cover. This winter (or lack of it) has been strange for sure, almost no snow, we get sub zero temps for a couple days and then a couple of days of 40+ temps mixed-in...2 days in this week's forecast at 50! Shortening-up this winter nicely.

Cyclone, post a pile of pics from the season of roosters!

 

[carptom1]

Seems like you have had a rebound the last couple years. Hopefully you have a early spring with warm temperatures. Seeing this success there is making me want to come back to Iowa next year. Hunted there nearly every weekend in 90 through about 2005. Definitely closer to me than any other place. Was a great time with some awesome memories.

 

[cyclonenation10]

Look, there are places in Iowa with snow! We had snow cover for a day, maybe 2, it didn't last long. I hunted the morning after the snow and it was quite a difference with the birds holding so tight, the dog needed to dig them out at times...and it was no more than 3 inches, closer to 2 inches. Fun and easier to shoot those tight bedded birds, but they are so much better off without the snow cover. This winter (or lack of it) has been strange for sure, almost no snow, we get sub zero temps for a couple days and then a couple of days of 40+ temps mixed-in...2 days in this week's forecast at 50! Shortening-up this winter nicely.

Cyclone, post a pile of pics from the season of roosters!

 

[cyclonenation10]

Some more. Sorry for any duplicates!

 

[cyclonenation10]

And a few more

 

[remy3424]

There you go!!! I see you let a GSP join the fun. Thanks for sharing. Now it looks like you should check out the thread with rooster recipes!

 

[cyclonenation10]

There you go!!! I see you let a GSP join the fun. Thanks for sharing. Now it looks like you should check out the thread with rooster recipes!

I sure did! Although I have to say, my 10-month golden still beat the 3-year old GSP to every retrieve and flushed all but 1 of the roosters

 

[Birdman2]

Wow,

You guys are having great hunts. Congrats on finding them.

 

[Bob Peters]

I sure did! Although I have to say, my 10-month golden still beat the 3-year old GSP to every retrieve and flushed all but 1 of the roosters

haha, Goldens for being such friendly and happy dogs, do not share when it comes to retrieves. It's the same when we hunt with a golden and a pointer....

 

[cyclonenation10]

haha, Goldens for being such friendly and happy dogs, do not share when it comes to retrieves. It's the same when we hunt with a golden and a pointer....

You are very correct there.. sometimes it can be too a fault! They sure are a fun dog to hunt with, but when they get birdie you better be ready to keep up!