We completed our annual fall trip last week. We hunted a combination of public, private, and ditches. We ended up hunting 4 days, and limited each day. Saturday was pretty much rain on and off all day, so we made the best of it. Wednesday thru Friday were nice, albeit warmer (low 50's) than preferred, so a few days hunting in a tee shirt (nice for us, not so nice for the dogs). Thursday was breezy, Friday was calm. That sets the table for the birds to really be out, and they sure were. We covered a lot of ground, and here's a bullet point summary of another great time in SD;
- Habitat! Wow, we haven't seen so much in over a decade. Perfect for supporting a good hatch! Asked a local farmer if more CRP had been enrolled; he wasn't sure, but did say they had 9" of rain last fall, followed by a late wet spring.
- Hunting conditions were very dry, as has been reported. Saw quite a few cattail patches mowed. Not a fan, but have seen it for years. Also, a number of areas we hunt, that held water last year, were dried up this year. Every year is different, good spots last year aren't this year, and vice versa.
- More standing corn than we expected. all the beans were off. A bit surprised, likely combine and equipment breakdowns slowing some guys down. Corn was 85% off where we were.
- We thought the hatch and overall population was very good. we saw lots of young birds, and the most hen flushes in years. It makes sense when seeing all the habitat. Fearful the habitat abundance is likely an aberration, the result of a wet fall followed by a wet late spring/summer.
- Last year I recall reporting the rooster/hen flushes were 50/50. This year it was five hens to every rooster. Great news for future years. We saw plenty of roosters, this was just our in range flush experience.
- Speaking of roosters - they seemed very edgy and wild on this trip. Spoke to a couple of hunters that said the same. They had close hen flushes, and roosters jumping way out in front. We've seen it for years, just an observation on this trip.
- Seems like the sharptail population is bouncing back. we saw quite a few last year, and again this year. Nice to see!
- Lots of hunters! also reported seeing lots of hunters last year; this year likely even more. After reading reports of guys not seeing many hunters, we were hopeful of the same - not the case for us. Not a problem either, if someone is at a spot we wanted to hunt, we just move to another.
Summary - another great trip; just keep walking and sooner or later you'll get your chances. We do take time to look at some of the abandoned homesteads out there. (Attaching a pic of one, along with a pair of long tailed birds) It takes us back to a life that was much harsher. We really enjoyed the dog work. They bring great joy and enrich our lives. Best of luck to all, and a special shout out to all those serving, or who have served! Thank you for your service!!
- Habitat! Wow, we haven't seen so much in over a decade. Perfect for supporting a good hatch! Asked a local farmer if more CRP had been enrolled; he wasn't sure, but did say they had 9" of rain last fall, followed by a late wet spring.
- Hunting conditions were very dry, as has been reported. Saw quite a few cattail patches mowed. Not a fan, but have seen it for years. Also, a number of areas we hunt, that held water last year, were dried up this year. Every year is different, good spots last year aren't this year, and vice versa.
- More standing corn than we expected. all the beans were off. A bit surprised, likely combine and equipment breakdowns slowing some guys down. Corn was 85% off where we were.
- We thought the hatch and overall population was very good. we saw lots of young birds, and the most hen flushes in years. It makes sense when seeing all the habitat. Fearful the habitat abundance is likely an aberration, the result of a wet fall followed by a wet late spring/summer.
- Last year I recall reporting the rooster/hen flushes were 50/50. This year it was five hens to every rooster. Great news for future years. We saw plenty of roosters, this was just our in range flush experience.
- Speaking of roosters - they seemed very edgy and wild on this trip. Spoke to a couple of hunters that said the same. They had close hen flushes, and roosters jumping way out in front. We've seen it for years, just an observation on this trip.
- Seems like the sharptail population is bouncing back. we saw quite a few last year, and again this year. Nice to see!
- Lots of hunters! also reported seeing lots of hunters last year; this year likely even more. After reading reports of guys not seeing many hunters, we were hopeful of the same - not the case for us. Not a problem either, if someone is at a spot we wanted to hunt, we just move to another.
Summary - another great trip; just keep walking and sooner or later you'll get your chances. We do take time to look at some of the abandoned homesteads out there. (Attaching a pic of one, along with a pair of long tailed birds) It takes us back to a life that was much harsher. We really enjoyed the dog work. They bring great joy and enrich our lives. Best of luck to all, and a special shout out to all those serving, or who have served! Thank you for your service!!
