May not be Kansas...
- Thread starter bauerline
- Start date
bauerline
Well-known member
I took my two boys sledding close to the area that I've been seeing the pheasants and quail. I made the short but difficult walk to see how the fields were holding up. The grass held up well to about 30 inches of snow.
I did see some signs of the pheasants:
I also saw a couple of hens walking beside some pine trees. I think it will be some time until I can get the dogs out. Walking is tough!
I did see some signs of the pheasants:
I also saw a couple of hens walking beside some pine trees. I think it will be some time until I can get the dogs out. Walking is tough!
bauerline
Well-known member
I ran the dogs on Saturday afternoon and I'm happy to share some pictures of the quail. The number of quail are holding steady and seemed to have survived the deep snow and recent ice storm.
The birds are strong flyers at this time and look healthy. Let's hope for an early spring.
The birds are strong flyers at this time and look healthy. Let's hope for an early spring.
bauerline
Well-known member
I had 45 minutes to run the dogs and I was able to put up 5 hens behind their points. It's always nice to spend some time out with the dogs and I would like to get out in search of woodcock in the next few weeks. Enjoy the pictures.
No roosters today but I did see roosters on my previous two trips along with the quail.
No roosters today but I did see roosters on my previous two trips along with the quail.
bauerline
Well-known member
I was able to get the dogs out a few times so far this month. I'm always hoping to find some woodcock but they have eluded me and the dogs so far. I have been lucky enough to find birds on every outing, though. The holdover hen and rooster pheasants have kept the dogs in good shape and today (Wednesday) was the first time in several weeks that we found some quail. I can tell spring is getting closer because now I'm starting to hear roosters crow and even a bobwhite singing.
Here are some pictures
A few quail flushing:
https://youtu.be/kpW4aGdat6I
During the past couple of weeks the dogs have had many points but only about half have produced a bird or birds. On one recent trip out, I saw Blitz on point and a hen ran through some light cover and on to a different property. She never flushed and I suspect a lot of the birds are doing this. Shortly after this, the dogs had another point and then they start tracking. I ended up seeing a rooster running over 100 yards in front of the dogs. We never flushed this bird. They have had many other points and tracks like this but I never see the birds. They are providing a good challenge to the dogs. One other thing I noticed is the dogs finding birds in areas that were just flown over by hawks. I know the hawks get some of the birds but the pheasants and quail are holding steady from what I see.
Here are some pictures
A few quail flushing:
https://youtu.be/kpW4aGdat6I
During the past couple of weeks the dogs have had many points but only about half have produced a bird or birds. On one recent trip out, I saw Blitz on point and a hen ran through some light cover and on to a different property. She never flushed and I suspect a lot of the birds are doing this. Shortly after this, the dogs had another point and then they start tracking. I ended up seeing a rooster running over 100 yards in front of the dogs. We never flushed this bird. They have had many other points and tracks like this but I never see the birds. They are providing a good challenge to the dogs. One other thing I noticed is the dogs finding birds in areas that were just flown over by hawks. I know the hawks get some of the birds but the pheasants and quail are holding steady from what I see.