I made it out to some WIHA's just after noon on Wednesday after struggling through freezing drizzle and fog along I-70. A driven NE wind was sheening all of the weeds, grass and cover with a coat of ice and conditions worsened throughout the afternoon. In the last field, the temperature had dropped to 13 degrees and the wind was exceeding 35 mph. My eyelashes were freezing together as I walked into the wind and increasing snow. The birds were quite spooky in the chaos of weather but 2 roosters made fatal mistakes in a game of nerves against my setter.
Day 2 came in bright and dazzling.
The day was slow to warm and crashing through the frozen vegetation created an uproar of noise which further disturbed the already nervous birds. Despite W. L. Gore's best efforts, moisture wicked into underlayers throughout the day. Adding two more roosters to the bag on Thursday was a welcome result after a steady effort. One of those cocks must have been predestined to be the unluckiest bird of the year as his chance flush occurred when he spooked near me while my dog was working about 150 yards away.
Despite winds increasing throughout the day, Friday's temperatures eased back into the low forties. As is usual during windy conditions, pheasants were again flushing at long range. One bird was caught between the proverbial rock (dirt road) and hard place (cut corn field) and his attempt to hold tight proved to be a fatal mistake. Another's effort at an abrupt button hook and pause after a prolonged chase ended poorly for the rooster. Had the day ended with that count, I would have been more than satisfied. But, as the wind softened towards sunset, the pup and I worked back and forth for about 100 yards along a road towards a green winter wheat field. Near the end, pointing commenced and was repeated several times with my final two birds for a limit falling victim to a rare (but welcome) streak of good shooting.
Still lots of birds around. What a good year for pheasants! I'll hit it one more time next week.
ratt
Day 2 came in bright and dazzling.
The day was slow to warm and crashing through the frozen vegetation created an uproar of noise which further disturbed the already nervous birds. Despite W. L. Gore's best efforts, moisture wicked into underlayers throughout the day. Adding two more roosters to the bag on Thursday was a welcome result after a steady effort. One of those cocks must have been predestined to be the unluckiest bird of the year as his chance flush occurred when he spooked near me while my dog was working about 150 yards away.
Despite winds increasing throughout the day, Friday's temperatures eased back into the low forties. As is usual during windy conditions, pheasants were again flushing at long range. One bird was caught between the proverbial rock (dirt road) and hard place (cut corn field) and his attempt to hold tight proved to be a fatal mistake. Another's effort at an abrupt button hook and pause after a prolonged chase ended poorly for the rooster. Had the day ended with that count, I would have been more than satisfied. But, as the wind softened towards sunset, the pup and I worked back and forth for about 100 yards along a road towards a green winter wheat field. Near the end, pointing commenced and was repeated several times with my final two birds for a limit falling victim to a rare (but welcome) streak of good shooting.
Still lots of birds around. What a good year for pheasants! I'll hit it one more time next week.
ratt
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