NC Report

[Hockeybob]

Group of 9 hunted 10/25-10/28. Private ground. Same farm for last 20 years. Windy and some crops in fields made it tough.
We came close but did not limit out in any of the days. Years prior we always limited.
Overall it was good but I was disappointed in the bird numbers. Yes numbers were decent but with all the hoopla about mild winter and great nesting conditions I was expecting much much greater numbers. Some years we see birds on hay bales or up in trees there are so many but not this year. There have been times in years past 10 guys would shoot 30 Roosters by 2pm.
Well that’s my report. Good Luck!

 

[Rude One]

Hunted 10/25-10/29. 2 Guys on almost all public ground. Wind was a huge factor in how tough the shooting was. It blew for 4 days straight at 30+mph not including gusts. There was more corn up this year than last year but the birds were there. Saw a ton of birds and had a ton of chances. Limited out all 5 days. Dog work made the trip phenomenal. The last day it didn't blow, and I was done by noon and heading home. Overall I thought numbers were the same if not better than last year. Cover and habitat is really good. Once the corn comes out hunting will be really good.

 

[Floyd]

Similar observation on NC SD numbers as Hockeybob. Private land, 2 guys, 16th year at this working farm. Last year had absolutely insane numbers so with all the talk of mild winter was expecting more than we saw. Numbers clearly down from last year but still decent- slightly below average I would say. We both still limited every day x5 and had an awesome hunt. Corn about 50% out which is normal for early November in this area.

Back in the day when SDGFP put out pheasant population estimates we found no correlation with the numbers we found. State would say numbers up, we would find they were down. State would say numbers down, we saw increased numbers. Just shows that localized weather events can make a huge difference. Guy in town said they got 4 inches of rain in June so maybe that was the issue. Going back next year no matter what happens weather-wise.

 

[A5 Sweet 16]

The old brood count survey report had very little to do with what was happening locally. It was AT BEST an indicator of long-term trends. I only miss it because I enjoyed plugging their data into my own spreadsheets & comparing it to my own experiences.

 

[benelli-banger]

Knowing the local info, which was readily available, I found it lined up reasonably well…statewide # made no difference..,more coincidental