Season Assessment

[westksbowhunter]

I'd think sub 400K would be the norm with the lack of habitat. The landscape doesn't resemble what it did in mid 2000s up there anymore. Pretty barren except for a field here and there and some corners and ditches. Unless that has changed in the last couple of years. Don't think I've hunted up there since about 2022.

You're right, a total lack of habitat. That's why we see birds really concentrated in areas with habitat. I have never seen farmers and ranchers bale as much hay as they do now. And a lot of it goes to Texas. Those out of state swathers monitor that drought monitor and come a calling when emergency hazing and grazing opens up.

 

[Bob Peters]

 

[matto]

Wheat stubble grown up with weeds was important habitat back when it was a thing. One of the better fields I've hunted in last few years was wheat abandoned due to drought that had grown up with weeds. This was in the 23-24 season. This link goes to a version of Randy Rodgers' research (cited in the image). https://ksoutdoors.gov/Services/Publications/Fish-and-Wildlife-Management/New-Life-for-Wheat-Fallow That research is over 20 years old now but is still an interesting read.