My daughter got a very good education today on habitat = birds. We hunted the same spot we hunted last year. This spot is not very big but it has water, tall grass and feed on 3 sides. Last year in about a 40 acre area we flushed probably 40-50 pheasants and a really nice covey of quail. Had a limit of phez by 8.
Fast forward to this year. Over half was hayed. This area of the state was dry this year too. We saw one small covey of quail that I didn't even shoot in to. We saw 6 roosters that were all older birds and 1 hen. 1 hen was disturbing to see. We killed 1 rooster today and I felt bad about killing it.
Lesson learned first hand for her. We never go west for opening weekend due to the crowds. Always stick closer to home. I don't think I'll hunt this spot or area again this year. I talked to the farmer that owns a lot of land around there and he said the birds have been basically gone from that area for 20 years. Sad state of affairs around there.
Was still nice to get out and watch the labs put some birds in the air. I hope you all had an enjoyable opening weekend with friends and family no matter if you shot birds or not.
Fast forward to this year. Over half was hayed. This area of the state was dry this year too. We saw one small covey of quail that I didn't even shoot in to. We saw 6 roosters that were all older birds and 1 hen. 1 hen was disturbing to see. We killed 1 rooster today and I felt bad about killing it.
Lesson learned first hand for her. We never go west for opening weekend due to the crowds. Always stick closer to home. I don't think I'll hunt this spot or area again this year. I talked to the farmer that owns a lot of land around there and he said the birds have been basically gone from that area for 20 years. Sad state of affairs around there.
Was still nice to get out and watch the labs put some birds in the air. I hope you all had an enjoyable opening weekend with friends and family no matter if you shot birds or not.