i have always found it takes a weather equalizer to have much success in January. by this time of year we are down to the saviest of roosters and it is extremely tough to bag any of these left over bad boys. this may be the year to back off and consciously leave a little more seed than normal...we can only hope the weather will improve and the moisture levels will return to normal...i suggest we give 'em a break....and yes, i understand, you can't stockpile roosters.
Pheasant Hunting in January
- Thread starter hunter94
- Start date
Bilbo Baggins
Active member
ditto, just saying...
SetterNut
New member
There are so few people that truly get out and hunt much in January, I don't think there is much if any impact.
For years my son and I, along with a good friend and his son, would go on a last weekend of the season pheasant hunt out west. Its not like we shot a bunch of limits, but we generally did reasonably well.
But it is a time of year where your dog will get to experience some of the trickiest and hardest to point birds. Its a the Masters Degree for pointing dogs.
The weather is not very good, the birds are smarter, and in bad years only the dedicated bird hunters are going out much after the first few weeks of the season. Go for it if you want, or save your time and money, the choice is yours. :cheers:
For years my son and I, along with a good friend and his son, would go on a last weekend of the season pheasant hunt out west. Its not like we shot a bunch of limits, but we generally did reasonably well.
But it is a time of year where your dog will get to experience some of the trickiest and hardest to point birds. Its a the Masters Degree for pointing dogs.
The weather is not very good, the birds are smarter, and in bad years only the dedicated bird hunters are going out much after the first few weeks of the season. Go for it if you want, or save your time and money, the choice is yours. :cheers:
CharBroiled
Active member
I think it was said best when so few people get out there is hardly any impact made on the numbers of roosters.
That being said, I'm seeing more roosters now than I have in the first half of the season. We saw 8 roosters in a hedge across the road from milo we could hunt on Christmas Day, and not a hen in the bunch. A few days previous we saw probably 20-25 hens in milo and draws. We'll probably go out a couple more times as the calendar rolls into 2014 and the season closes.
I have plans for one of those last-weekend-of-the-season hunts as well. It will be more of a scouting trip for next year than a I-hope-we-shoot-a-limit hunt. It also coincides with a PF banquet I want to attend.
There's at least one or two more quick, short, close hunts bouncing around in my head that might also happen. Also, perhaps a preserve trip for my kids.
There's at least one or two more quick, short, close hunts bouncing around in my head that might also happen. Also, perhaps a preserve trip for my kids.
kansasbrittany
Banned
One farmer who let us hunt always told us to make it in Nov or Dec. He wouldn't let us hunt in January, and it didn't matter if populations were up or down.
To Campbell's point, I too am still seeing quite a few roosters. My last outing I saw 3 roosters and 1 hen in 2hrs. That makes me think hunting pressure has been relatively light this season, at least in the area I'm referring to, and wherever Campbell hunts apparently. I'm trying a different part of the state this weekend. If it's as bad as the reports indicate, I won't stay in the fields long. If it's like what I've experienced in other places this season, I'll shoot 1 or 2 and call it a day.
I can't imagine missing KS in January, despite the fact I probably won't harvest 4 birds all month. I know the dogs and I will have the prairie to ourselves and that makes it an important month of our season:thumbsup:
If studies ever prove that staying out of the fields in January will benefit our favorite game birds, I'll be right there with you guys.
To Campbell's point, I too am still seeing quite a few roosters. My last outing I saw 3 roosters and 1 hen in 2hrs. That makes me think hunting pressure has been relatively light this season, at least in the area I'm referring to, and wherever Campbell hunts apparently. I'm trying a different part of the state this weekend. If it's as bad as the reports indicate, I won't stay in the fields long. If it's like what I've experienced in other places this season, I'll shoot 1 or 2 and call it a day.
I can't imagine missing KS in January, despite the fact I probably won't harvest 4 birds all month. I know the dogs and I will have the prairie to ourselves and that makes it an important month of our season:thumbsup:
If studies ever prove that staying out of the fields in January will benefit our favorite game birds, I'll be right there with you guys.
carptom1
Well-known member
I don't believe normal January pressure has much effect on populations. Besides our winters are not typically that severe. For example, how many times have you gone through a field right after someone and put up birds? How many times have you walked a piece and put up birds on the way back after you thought you had thoroughly covered it? We all like to think our dogs find every bird in a field, but in all reality many escape detection at all. I intend on getting out at least once in january if the weather holds on the cold side. If it gets warm I will stay away.
BleuBijou
Active member
And the truth shall set you free!!! I agree with Carp. Pheasants in Kansas during typical winters have it pretty well compared to their neighbors to the North. Probably why South Dakota starts a little early and ends a little early. Weather has been good for the birds so far and they should be doing well with the amount of feed around. And who ever says they clean a field out after walking it is dead wrong. I can tell you I have seen 100 birds fly into a CRP half section and 7 guys go through it and only see 30 birds fly out!!! So many do escape detection. Roosters will travel together and push hens away from feed and the best cover. Everyone thinks they need to leave some for seed!!! There is always roosters to get the breeding done!!! If it was a tough Winter then maybe don't hunt as long ,so you do not move the hens out of their cover. I know every year a guy has his feeding program for birds in S.D. after the season ends, he wants the hens to have every chance to get to the Spring with the best possible health. If he feels he has too many roosters left towards the end of season, he calls everyone he knows to come out and enjoy as he knows what will happen if the weather turns bad and those roosters kick those hens out of the best food and cover. Enjoy your season guy's as you may never know when you will get back at them wiley roosters. I am proof positive of that.:cheers:
The combined droughts of 2011, 2012 and 2013 produced a 70 to 80 percent reduction in the prime wild pheasant populations of S. W. Kansas, S. E. Colorado and the Texas/Oklahoma Panhandles.
To continue to chase the last few remaining wild roosters in January with more arctic blast's on the way would put added stress on the remaining wild hens, we need every hen alive and healthy next spring.
We are not the only hunters these pheasants deal with, big and small ground and aerial predators hunt these birds 24-7, 365 days a year.
To each his own is the old saying, but I say in the drought hit areas give the pheasants a break from the chase this January. We all love to hunt but look at not chasing them adding or giving them a wildlife refuge and time for them to rebound with good damp vegetation, insects and a good hatch next spring and summer.
To continue to chase the last few remaining wild roosters in January with more arctic blast's on the way would put added stress on the remaining wild hens, we need every hen alive and healthy next spring.
We are not the only hunters these pheasants deal with, big and small ground and aerial predators hunt these birds 24-7, 365 days a year.
To each his own is the old saying, but I say in the drought hit areas give the pheasants a break from the chase this January. We all love to hunt but look at not chasing them adding or giving them a wildlife refuge and time for them to rebound with good damp vegetation, insects and a good hatch next spring and summer.
mnmthunting
Banned
Good points everyone, flushing hens from the security of their roosts in cold weather will add stress. Especially if those hens are chased into poorer cover exposing them more to predation and elements.
But if there are Roosters in the area it would be OK to do some late hunting.
If you have good cover where hens are roosting, I like the idea of letting them be. Depends on your area and situation.
I think it best late in the season to look at what is best for the birds.
But if there are Roosters in the area it would be OK to do some late hunting.
If you have good cover where hens are roosting, I like the idea of letting them be. Depends on your area and situation.
I think it best late in the season to look at what is best for the birds.
BleuBijou
Active member
Another point is Kansas is generally 10 degrees warmer on average in Dec and January then South Dakota is. One bump in the road this week with a high of 30 in SW Kansas and then back to warmer daytime high's of 40's and 50's. Cover is generally better then last year with more food. There are more then a few pheasants left down there. Thousands! If those birds were any less resilient they would be all gone by now! If they get a week of nasty cold weather with 6-12 inches of snow cover then I would reserve hunting for a warmer week. After the season ends start a feeding program in the best cover, so the birds do not have to travel. This will cut down on them being picked off and allow them to go into Spring with some reserves.:cheers:
mustistuff
Banned
late birds
over the many years i have hunted jan. or late season, i have hunted it as much as i have any other time of year. frankly i find very little difference in the number of birds or their being more wild than anything but maybe opening day. the current day's weather has more to do with their behavior than late season. i believe that most pheasants in kansas rarely if ever even see a hunter. of course there a few well know spots that everybody seems to hit but most fields hardly or rarely ever get hunted in part cause they don't look all that great, they still hold birds or the fields are really large and hunter's lack the balls to tackle them, lazy in other words.
cheers
over the many years i have hunted jan. or late season, i have hunted it as much as i have any other time of year. frankly i find very little difference in the number of birds or their being more wild than anything but maybe opening day. the current day's weather has more to do with their behavior than late season. i believe that most pheasants in kansas rarely if ever even see a hunter. of course there a few well know spots that everybody seems to hit but most fields hardly or rarely ever get hunted in part cause they don't look all that great, they still hold birds or the fields are really large and hunter's lack the balls to tackle them, lazy in other words.
cheers
kansasbrittany
Banned
The rooster ratio was high where I saw birds this weekend. Unfortunately, those were the only birds I saw this weekend. I hadn't been to this particular area yet this season. It's scary...they just don't have much cover to choose from out there. Those birds probably could use a break, so I won't bother them again this year.
I'll stick to hunting an area with ample thermal-cover and decent bird #'s for the remainder of January.
I'll stick to hunting an area with ample thermal-cover and decent bird #'s for the remainder of January.
mustistuff
Banned
as i don't know your general area, don't know about cover, where i am seeing some birds, cover is not the problem, they were in plenty of it, unless in some cases the cattle mow the rest of it down. the real problem is that there are not many places where there is cover and if there is a bird or two there and surely there is, they won't be bothered except maybe by hawks etc. looks pretty grim.
cheers
kansasbrittany
Banned
I was between Hays and Kinsley this weekend.
Bilbo Baggins
Active member
Geez, just saying...
You guys did it to me, I just cannot take it any longer so I pulled the plug. Just bought the 2014 Non-resident license and will drive off to the promised land at 1:00 AM with Baggins II to chase roosters.
I was thinking, what if pheasant hunting is even worse next fall? (Yes, I know, it isn't possible is it?) I might be kicking myself for not going now when I could have gone.
You guys did it to me, I just cannot take it any longer so I pulled the plug. Just bought the 2014 Non-resident license and will drive off to the promised land at 1:00 AM with Baggins II to chase roosters.
I was thinking, what if pheasant hunting is even worse next fall? (Yes, I know, it isn't possible is it?) I might be kicking myself for not going now when I could have gone.
SetterNut
New member
Good luck. We got a new dusting of snow today.
Bilbo Baggins
Active member
Thanks Steve, we will give it a shot and see what happens. Should be hunting by mid-day for three days. I will give a report upon my return from the field.