Been upland hunting since I was 14, 50 now. This years results.....27 days, saw a total of 2 roosters and 1 hen. Yes I have good dog, and have never been afraid of wearing out the boot leather. But,.....this is an absolute joke. I went today, and no birds. Looking at my journal, 2012 was 47 roosters and 62 quail killed...this year 0. I have been all.over the state with the same results. I do.love the game, but I think this may be the end of the road.for me. I like the tradition, camaraderie, etc....but....this just might be at my limit of optimism. Any of you ever have a stretch of just utter frustration?
I understand completely. I got to thinking the same thing over the last few years. Trespassing, the lack of birds, and the unbelievable hunting pressure caused me to have this thought more and more. At one time I had six dogs, a trailer, and thousands of acres to hunt. I averaged roughly 40 days afield until about 2017. I've been hunting Kansas for 30 years and consider myself in my hunting prime. I've shot quail or pheasant in 99 of our 105 counties. I love being in the field, and most of all, I loved my dogs.
As my last 3 dogs began to age I had to make a decision. A few years ago I decided that when I was down to one, I'd make a heartfelt decision on whether to move forward with additional dogs and equipment or hang it up. I had begun to question whether or not it's worth the effort to me anymore. Fighting the crowds, losing land to leases, slobs in the fields, folks hunting over the top of each other, and the lack of birds has encroached too much on my enjoyment.
When I lost my last dog suddenly in February, I knew that I was unlikely to continue. In October, I put my trailer up for sale on this web site and sold it within 24 hours. In November, I made one last opening day trip with a very close hunting partner. Hunting behind somebody else's dogs just isn't the same. Although I love to hunt, working behind somebody else's dogs is like watching a high school sports event. You may love the sport, but without your kid or family involved, you're just not as invested. We found some birds on opening weekend, saw countless hunters walking the same WIHA fields over and over, and suffered through the 70+ degree temps. I knew I was finished.
For those of you that say it's just about "being out there", why don't you travel to Illinois or Indiana for pheasant or to Georgia or Alabama for quail? Because it's about the bird numbers. You want the best opportunity to see birds. That doesn't mean that you need to put them in the bag, but you want see birds and work your dogs. I'm perfectly happy to hunt with a camera and used to run my dogs and take photos well in to March (before breeding season), but we all want to see bird numbers.
I'm young enough to start another string of dogs and I may someday, but things are going to have to change and I believe that's unlikely. There will be some up years and even some decent years, but the trend is downward and for me it's to the point of getting out. The CRP, hunter numbers, and habit is going to have to improve before I reinvest my time and heart into my favorite activity and at this time, I believe that's unlikely.
For those of you who still have the desire and passion for the best sport in the world, good for you. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you get into hundreds of bird contacts. For me, I will fondly remember the good 'ol days, big running dogs, and the thrilling anticipation only a solid point can bring.
Best of luck to you all!
Point!