Quick intro

mstand

mstand

Member
I have been lurking for awhile and decided to finally join in.
There has been alot of good discussion that I have enjoyed reading.
I am in the LPC area and have 2 dogs. Most of what I have done with them has been training,tests and the occasional preserve hunt. I was happy with that until I got invited to NE for a grouse hunt. MAN! was I blown away and hooked on wild bird hunting.
Not to knock preserev hunting, but it was much much more satifying when I would tip a bird on a wild hunt!
Now, we have been exploring our public lands here in Iowa for wild birds. We have done ok, but are mostly seeing hens. But we keep trucking hoping the next point/flush will be a rooster.

I am always willing to learn fron the pros. I know we have alot to learn on how to cover a field thoroughly. I sometimes think we are over working ourselves and the dogs and that there has to be a better way to get it done. I think I have picked up a few things from NStrics writings, but sometimes it is better to see it or walk with more experienced people to understand it.

I am looking forward to meeting everyone and continue to learn and enjoy your postss.
 
Welcome to the site. Tough times to be a pheasant hunter in Iowa right now. Some areas still have birds but about 75% is very lean. What's LPC area?
 
I am in La Porte City.

We have been hitting some of the ground in Tama county. Have had some good times.
 
Welcome fellow Iowan. You are corrrect that you can glean much information and teachings from this site. Just remember everything on here should be taken with a grain of salt. Example-if I post a great day public hunting, it doesn't mean all public hunting parcels are going to be prosperous. Pheasantaddict has it right. From my first 12 outings this year, I have come up empty and limited. Birds are spotty to nonexistent!:mad:

We are in the midst of a very tough season. Take the good and the bad. Again welcome!
 
I am not at all discouraged when I go out and dont get a bird. Just means I have to work harder and learn how to work a field better. I am all in at this point.
It has been alot more fun then sitting in my deer stand. Love to watch the dogs work and figure things out along with me.
Anyone around that wants to tag along or meet up somewhere(I know that sounds creepy) let me know.
Going to deer hunt in the am and then pheasant hunt on the way north to pick up my son.

Also have a trip planned for SD. We are going further west then it seems most have. 12 hour drive from here. Hopefully we will have a little better luck then it sounds like most have had.Most important to me is to get the mutts on some birds.Have some big tests next fall and would like to get the pup a little more solid. We will see. it is all an adventure!
 
Welcome mstand - I too am new to this site after following it for quite some time. I have only been out twice in Iowa this year. Once by myself with no dogs and once with a fellow member of this site with an outstanding dog. By myself, I saw plenty of birds on public ground in Central Iowa. With the dog and the fellow member, a limit of roosters was pointed for me in a very short time on a couple different private fields.
Like others have said, there are birds out there but I too think they are spotty and tough to "pattern" if you will. Like you though, I just enjoy being out there and enjoying the hunt. The flush of a bird still makes me feel like a kid and I love it. Watching great dog work is icing on the cake! Good luck the rest of the season.
 
Welcome to a great site. Be thankful you're in Iowa instead of WA State. There have been so few birds around this year that I'm about to join a hunt club, because my pup deserves better than we've been finding. Enjoy the site.
 
Alright, alright, anything but time out!:p

Ive got a couple of them KM mutts. Spend most of my time training for NAVHDA and JGHV tests. That is what I really enjoyed doing. Most of the "real" hunting my dogs got to do was waterfowl. Never bothered with pheasants bacause I listened to most talk about how there arent any around.
It was just as easy to pay a preserve 100-200 bucks and know we would shoot birds.
But, like I said earlier,after my trip to NE I have changed my thinking. It was much more fun hunting wild birds. In 5 days I only shot 3 chickens, but I had a blast watching the dogs work the chickens and the chickens work the dogs over!:D

Back to the mutts.
I have a 7 year old SM, Abby. Tiny little thing, the size of a French Brit I would guess. But at 18 1/2 inches she has every bit of the desire and drive that a dog twice her size does. Not afraid of anything(except missing dinner).She has a UT II title and is steady to wing,shot and fall. Although I have seen that maybe that isnt practical while hunting.
My pup Max is going on 2 and he is a KM.Brought him over from Germany. He has a lot to learn, but has been doing very well in his tests with high scores in all venus. Next fall I hope to complete his UT and his VGP.Right now Max is steady to flush. I will work on the rest during the spring and summer.

Not sure if the 7 year old has time to pick up the wild bird thing, But I know she will bust her butt trying.
Max has shown great improvement each time I have taken him out. I have no doubt that he will become a very nice gun dog.


Abby
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Max
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Yes. Welcome to the site! I've enjoyed the company here . . . trust you will too.

PM me and we can chat about putting you on some birds.
 
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