Late season birds

mstand

mstand

Member
So, most of you now understand that I was more into hunt tests then ever hunting. The tide has changed now.:) But I am finding that late season is getting really tough.
I have been focusing on areas that I would THINK would be good areas for birds. But have not had a ton of success as of late.
I look in cattails and thick cover, which at some point I am going to take pictures of for identification.
I know these place I go to have birds. But I am having trouble getting on them.

What are the late season strategies.................for public?

Thanks
 
A couple things I would do. I would alter the way I walk through a field. Approach it at an opposite direction "not the way every other hunter hunts it", and try to go during a weekday. Plus in my neck of the woods, the pheasants are deeper in cover, and try to make as little noise as possible. I live in extreme eastern iowa, not as many birds as many of you on here get into. I rarely get a chance to go northwest. I would like to sometime. Anyway, just some thoughts on a strategy I would use.:)
 
Daisy1 said:
A couple things I would do. I would alter the way I walk through a field. Approach it at an opposite direction "not the way every other hunter hunts it", and try to go during a weekday. Plus in my neck of the woods, the pheasants are deeper in cover, and try to make as little noise as possible. I live in extreme eastern iowa, not as many birds as many of you on here get into. I rarely get a chance to go northwest. I would like to sometime. Anyway, just some thoughts on a strategy I would use.:)
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Great advice! On public land this time of year, you can see where everyone pulls over to start hunting. If I'm alone, I will certainly pick a place where there are no tire-tracks. When I find that place, that's where I park. The gun is always loaded before I exit the vehicle or open the door b/c I shoot an auto and the action is LOUD. I'll walk cross-wind instead of into the wind. I'll zig-zag and even walk in circles at times. Silence is the most critical element for late-season success IMO.
 
ha, think you guys got it hard? im hunting with a one year old weim this year. lol the older smarter birds out smarted him today. but the most important thing is that he isnt busting them. but ya its getting real tuogh around my neck of the woods and after 2 weeks of deer hunters tromping and shooting at everything that moves they are real spooky. my weim locked up on the road today and then creeped and relocked half way into a ditch, a hen busts up, it flys across the road my dog starts the chase then skids to a halt and two seconds later about 15-20 smart birds flushed across the road,,,in a no hunt zone,nice :( im gonna try that same spot 1st thing tomorow morning.
 
oh ya almost forgot, ive always had good luck in the late season trying to hunt places that you may think hmmm that dont look like a very birdy area,,, well so do many other hunters as well also i will find cover that may be a long walk to get to alot of hunters dont want to take the time to walk through a cut bean feild to get to a nice buffer strip, and yes i did say bean field, alot of times i have found a couple roosters loafing around a bean field. a good brushy draw along a long tree line are also some of my favorite late season spots as well. :cheers:
 
Mary - Generally, I hunt more often late season than early or mid season. And, more often than not, I am hunting alone (without a dog) late season. You can call me crazy but I just enjoy getting out there and you really learn alot about the birds and how they act when you are by your self.

Anyway, I would say some good advice has already been given here. Just my personal opinion, but I think there are two things that really matter here. One is being quiet. I think the late season birds are much more in tune with the sounds of hunter, dogs, truck doors, talking, beepers, etc, etc. I really believe the later in the season, the more stealth you need to try and be.

The other has been mentioned too. ESPECIALLY on public land, birds know where hunters come from. You need to figure out a way to approach your hunting area from the OPPOSITE way that every one else does. Either park on that Level b on the back side or walk the entire perimeter and come in from the the other way, whatever you have to do but hunt it the exact opposite way as your average lazy hunter does and you will get on more birds.

Good luck for the next 3 weeks or so and keep the stories, pics and video coming......
 
I agree with all of the above comments, especially the idea of varying the way you approach areas.

The thickest areas are best, cattails, etc.

I also think strength in numbers can be a factor, one hunter two dogs, or multiple hunters with multiple dogs. I'm certainly thinking about getting myself a second dog in the next year or two.
 
^^ This for me. I often realize more success, i.e. birds bagged, late season. Not sure why?

I do give consideration to being quiet, altering my hunting approach, pushing the cover based on weather conditions and time of day, etc.

Honestly though, I just think I'm more willing to hunt, and hunt harder, than most. Just as you all are.
 
Thanks for the replies.
if there is one thing I have in me it a determination.!!
We are seeing birds, but a lot of them are flushing ahead or running hard. You can see the prints in the snow.

We have been running 2 people and 3 dogs. But I do see that this can be the down fall for us late season. To much noise. We dont talk when we hunt and I am not one to talk to or hack my dogs either. I bought them to hunt and I let them do it.

Now, with this ice, I dont want to take the dogs out for fear of injury. We will have to see if this snow give us a good pack to walk on.

Again, I thank you all for the replies. we will be back at it soon!
 
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