Pheasant Hunters Inclusive or Exclusive

[moellermd]

When I'm gone, or drolling in the nursing home,.

I'd never let it come that. If your that bad and in the home I will take you out for one last hunt on a below zero December day in SD place you at the end of the field to block and forget you there until next morning.

 

[oldandnew]

I'd never let it come that. If your that bad and in the home I will take you out for one last hunt on a below zero December day in SD place you at the end of the field to block and forget you there until next morning.

Thank heaven somebody cares enough to put the old warrior down. Wait a while though, looks like I have a few battles left!

 

[oldandnew]

I'll bite. I'm assuming you are talking about me. I still have the PM. No where did I ask for specifics. All I asked for was "is this a good place to start to get my dog training done." The place I was asking about was over 70,000 acres. I didn't ask for anything specific. Just some place to run dogs and 'train'. I wasn't even going to shoot birds. So in that aspect, I don't feel like I was trying to hit anyone up for specifics. I was going to head to that spot regardless, but saw that you had experience there. That's why I sent that PM. I never did go, had health issues right before the trip. And then I heard the numbers were awful..
I don't feel that it's also fair to just assume that because someone who has lived in Kansas for over three years and still hunts walk - in is lazy. You want to talk about a stereotype.
The bolded portion of the above is flat why I hate to see quail spots thrown around on public forums like this, to be honest. For every one guys who post on forums like this, how many do you think read it and DON'T post? 10, 100, 1,000? God only knows.

I agree that a delayed opener on quail, anywhere in the state where the numbers overlap, obviously SE Kansas would be excluded from a delayed opener. Two weeks, let the hunter numbers subside. I would suggest the old two week delay, but I do believe it would be appropriate to open the pheasant season two weeks earlier, like it used to be, otherwise we have a 62 day quail season. Sorry you didn't get to go V-John, I wouldn't put much stock in poor reports on prairie grouse. Hope your recovered, if you want to go north, next time let me know, I'll go with you, we can walk the dunes and complain how hard it is, and what fools we are to be there..... until the first bird gets up!

 

[oldandnew]

I'm a quail hunter, first and foremost. I love to watch my dogs, and work them. Killing birds ain't why I'm there. But for some out of staters, that's WHY they are there. I get that, and understand that. It's hunting for God's sake. But with quail, a good shot and a good dog can wipe out a covey fast. Down to a number where the rest won't survive the night. But with some folks, having to travel so far, they don't care about that, just about the birds that they get. I'm not saying this is the attitude that ALL outta staters have, but I've seen it, especially on the various boards. Some guy bragging about how he shot six or seven birds out of an eight bird covey. Well, I know you won't be back until next year, or whatever, but now that covey is gone.

So here is the question then. Do you think that the guys shooting 6 out of the 8 know that they are going to wipe out the covey or are they just un-educated about it?

Pheasant hunters generally are more focused on harvest, tend to also hunt waterfowl, big game, etc. Quail are bonus birds, taken incidentally to pursuit of pheasants. I don't think they are in tune with the differences between quail lifecycle needs and requirements as apposed to pheasants, i.e quail are just small pheasants. We quail guys are always hunting quail, pheasants are a bonus bird, incidental to quail hunting. We name quail coveys and hunt the same coveys year after year, God willing. Keep track of our pet coveys and limit the season harvest when we control access. If to few birds rise, we resist the shot. So to answer the question, I don't think they deliberately shoot quail into extinction, but they do anyway, and the result is the same. Maybe we should have a delayed opener, maybe we should require a quail hunter education course to get a license to shoot quail, not to far fetched, they do it by species in Europe. Whatever we do both from a preservation, habitat restoration perspective, or Hunter education stand point, we better do a lot and soon!

 

[Cass]

I find it ironic that everyone seemed to be in agreement with the original poster for the first couple pages. Then by page 3 the resident Kansans are in agreement that the Walk-in should be restricted to residents the first week of the season!!!

 

[kansasbrittany]

I find it ironic that everyone seemed to be in agreement with the original poster for the first couple pages. Then by page 3 the resident Kansans are in agreement that the Walk-in should be restricted to residents the first week of the season!!!

It doesn't look good does it? I'm gulity as charged! I'm still going to stand by my "self-serving" belief that more/enhanced hunting opportunities for our residents (or the residents of any other state) is a good thing. I hope everyone else does the same. Even if WIHA was made off limits to us during that time, it would still be nice for each of us (again, residents of any state) to enjoy hunting locally without the circus. A relatively quiet day without all the extra trucks and armies. I don't see the harm in any state deciding my wants come after those of its residents; it just doesn't offend me, nor does it make me feel excluded.

 

[Cass]

It doesn't look good does it? I'm gulity as charged! I'm still going to stand by my "self-serving" belief that more/enhanced hunting opportunities for our residents (or the residents of any other state) is a good thing. I hope everyone else does the same. Even if WIHA was made off limits to us during that time, it would still be nice for each of us (again, residents of any state) to enjoy hunting locally without the circus. A relatively quiet day without all the extra trucks and armies. I don't see the harm in any state deciding my wants come after those of its residents; it just doesn't offend me, nor does it make me feel excluded.

True, its always better without the crazy opening weekend crowds. I always avoid the holiday weekends at the lakes too.

I do like the early youth season a lot. That takes the pressure of the young ones and gives them a chance to learn and enjoy the sport.

I'm not personally a deer or turkey hunter, but that is where there seems to be a significant advantage given to residents and landowners which I think is very appropriate.

 

[V-John]

I agree that a delayed opener on quail, anywhere in the state where the numbers overlap, obviously SE Kansas would be excluded from a delayed opener. Two weeks, let the hunter numbers subside. I would suggest the old two week delay, but I do believe it would be appropriate to open the pheasant season two weeks earlier, like it used to be, otherwise we have a 62 day quail season. Sorry you didn't get to go V-John, I wouldn't put much stock in poor reports on prairie grouse. Hope your recovered, if you want to go north, next time let me know, I'll go with you, we can walk the dunes and complain how hard it is, and what fools we are to be there..... until the first bird gets up!

Thanks, I actually had a siezure (well a couple of them) the day before I was supposed to go up. Thank God, I had them prior to the trip and not on the drive, nor while I was up there alone. In the process I dislocated my shoulder and haven't been able to shoot a gun. (gun shootin' shoulder.) I have been out several times this early chicken season just to get my dogs into them and simply carry a camera. Steve shot one over my dog, so that was good, although I messed up the picture.
Anyways, back to the OP. I understand now why they split up the season, I never put much thought into that, and instead of a local opener, I can go with that.
When I hunt, I just hunt with one or two people, and dogs, and like you said, go quail hunting and if we get a pheasant pointed, great.

Pheasant hunters generally are more focused on harvest, tend to also hunt waterfowl, big game, etc. Quail are bonus birds, taken incidentally to pursuit of pheasants. I don't think they are in tune with the differences between quail lifecycle needs and requirements as apposed to pheasants, i.e quail are just small pheasants. We quail guys are always hunting quail, pheasants are a bonus bird, incidental to quail hunting. We name quail coveys and hunt the same coveys year after year, God willing. Keep track of our pet coveys and limit the season harvest when we control access. If to few birds rise, we resist the shot. So to answer the question, I don't think they deliberately shoot quail into extinction, but they do anyway, and the result is the same. Maybe we should have a delayed opener, maybe we should require a quail hunter education course to get a license to shoot quail, not to far fetched, they do it by species in Europe. Whatever we do both from a preservation, habitat restoration perspective, or Hunter education stand point, we better do a lot and soon!

Great post here! Couldn't agree more.

 

[PHEZZYBOY FROID]

Greeting from Canada

Excellent thread.
We have so much land up here to hunt and not enough hunters.

I have actually noticed the urbanization of some of my favorite little spots really close to house (afternoon or early morning hunts).

These new residents are so unfamilar with the hunting culture that if you show up on their front porches dressed in camo or blaze orange...they are likely to barricade themselves inside their house thinking that the world in under attack.

More hunters = More understanding of hunting culture.

PBF

 

[oldandnew]

No far end of the earth immune to the anti-hunter nellies. I read a report about hunting on Long Island New York in the 1950's. Writer decried the urbanization on Long Island then. How some urbanites would move out and buy 5 Acres, build a house, thereafter they thought they controlled the surrounding countryside and called the sheriff everytime somebody showed up to hunt the adjoining property. Sad, people destroy the very thing they seek.

 

[PointnLab]

Excelent thread.

I grew up in a small town in western MN. I remember as a teenager the disdain I had for the big money guys coming out of Mpls and leasing up all the primo waterfowl spots. Now as an old guy looking back, it made me work harder, learn more, and created a better hunter in me. I wanted to shoot limits.

Now, as an older guy...55. Hunting has a much different meaning to me. I don't need to shoot big numbers, but I like to see them. I get more enjoyment from good dog work. I savor watching my son (19) develop his skills and grow into an ethical hunter. I marvel at the intelligence of the prey, and the development of beautiful habitat that some have taken the time and effort to create. I cherish my time behind brown dogs, a staunch point, a miraculous retrieve of a cripple, a sea of tan grass, under a blue sky. I know my days of doing this are numbered.

We must remember that we have guys on this forum from throughout this entire spectrum. When in others' states we need to be respectful and realize that many don't appreciate our presence...and we need to understand that. We can be good stewards and try to convey that we do have a positive impact with our presence, or simply steer clear (usually the best course). We need to police our own ranks and correct those that are disrespectful to the resources, as they represent all of us whether we recognize that or not. Lastly, we need to show our appreciation to those that welcome us by sharing their land and their resource.

The land owners I have come to know and be friends with in SD have all been given Rooster Booster memberships to PF for Christmas. All the kids get Ringneck memberships. I collect donations from my hunting partners and bought foodplot/cover seed for the boys to plant as a project. They are really into it, can see the results, and are the future of the sport.

We all have reasons for our feelings toward out of staters, city guys, local guys, rich guys, poor guys...the list is endless. We all share a passion, and we need to learn to share in the promotion of that passion...in spite of our differences...if we want to keep/restore "the good old days".

A good and safe season to all!

 

[hazzard]

Excelent thread.

I grew up in a small town in western MN. I remember as a teenager the disdain I had for the big money guys coming out of Mpls and leasing up all the primo waterfowl spots. Now as an old guy looking back, it made me work harder, learn more, and created a better hunter in me. I wanted to shoot limits.

Now, as an older guy...55. Hunting has a much different meaning to me. I don't need to shoot big numbers, but I like to see them. I get more enjoyment from good dog work. I savor watching my son (19) develop his skills and grow into an ethical hunter. I marvel at the intelligence of the prey, and the development of beautiful habitat that some have taken the time and effort to create. I cherish my time behind brown dogs, a staunch point, a miraculous retrieve of a cripple, a sea of tan grass, under a blue sky. I know my days of doing this are numbered.

We must remember that we have guys on this forum from throughout this entire spectrum. When in others' states we need to be respectful and realize that many don't appreciate our presence...and we need to understand that. We can be good stewards and try to convey that we do have a positive impact with our presence, or simply steer clear (usually the best course). We need to police our own ranks and correct those that are disrespectful to the resources, as they represent all of us whether we recognize that or not. Lastly, we need to show our appreciation to those that welcome us by sharing their land and their resource.

The land owners I have come to know and be friends with in SD have all been given Rooster Booster memberships to PF for Christmas. All the kids get Ringneck memberships. I collect donations from my hunting partners and bought foodplot/cover seed for the boys to plant as a project. They are really into it, can see the results, and are the future of the sport.

We all have reasons for our feelings toward out of staters, city guys, local guys, rich guys, poor guys...the list is endless. We all share a passion, and we need to learn to share in the promotion of that passion...in spite of our differences...if we want to keep/restore "the good old days".

A good and safe season to all!

All I can say is wow! Great post!:10sign:

 

[BritChaser]

No far end of the earth immune to the anti-hunter nellies. I read a report about hunting on Long Island New York in the 1950's. Writer decried the urbanization on Long Island then. How some urbanites would move out and buy 5 Acres, build a house, thereafter they thought they controlled the surrounding countryside and called the sheriff everytime somebody showed up to hunt the adjoining property. Sad, people destroy the very thing they seek.

Pheasant hunting still goes on on Long Island, but probably all pay hunting.

 

[BritChaser]

Well said O&N. For years I was the outsider and had to hunt public or go knocking on doors. 10 years ago I married into a 1000 acres of prime bird ground and my wife encouraged me to develope some of it for wildlife, this I have done and it has worked well.

I have always tried to be giving to others as far as hunting goes, but the last several years I have really opened up and this year have numerious hunters coming to hunt wild SD birds including people on this forum. I'm not gett'n any younger and enjoy watching others enjoy a good day afield and hope to make some new friends.

My motto is " I have the land, you bring the good dogs and we can hunt together":cheers:

Our thanks to you and your wife for your generousity to hunters. Have a great season!

 

[Boomer-IN]

well said PointnLab!
right on!!