Youth Hunt!

kansasbrittany

kansasbrittany

Banned
The youth opener has become more important to me than the regular opener in recent years. I was expecting a very warm day, and I've been busy as heck, so I hadn't spent much time thinking about where we'll go.

Now there is a frost advisory and its lookin' like it'll be in the 20's Saturday morning. That is going to make for some good hunting for the boys and the dogs!

BUT, where to go? When I first started doing this with Bret (now 20yo), we'd drive about 4.5hrs west, then work our way back across the state, hunting a place in every other county and driving backroads. It sort of doubled as a youth hunt and a scouting trip. I'm afraid that's too much driving for the 9 and 12yo, so I need to pick a spot and stick to it...

Who else is getting out this weekend?
 
kansasbrittany said:
The youth opener has become more important to me than the regular opener in recent years. I was expecting a very warm day, and I've been busy as heck, so I hadn't spent much time thinking about where we'll go.

Now there is a frost advisory and its lookin' like it'll be in the 20's Saturday morning. That is going to make for some good hunting for the boys and the dogs!

BUT, where to go? When I first started doing this with Bret (now 20yo), we'd drive about 4.5hrs west, then work our way back across the state, hunting a place in every other county and driving backroads. It sort of doubled as a youth hunt and a scouting trip. I'm afraid that's too much driving for the 9 and 12yo, so I need to pick a spot and stick to it...

Who else is getting out this weekend?
Click to expand...

KB good luck to those boys of yours. I will tell you that if you can remember back when you were that age there was never too much driving as long as you got to hunt. Just as this day is more important to you than opening weekend this day is just as important to your boys. They get to spend the weekend hunting with their dad. Enjoy the time because they grow up fast. Oh yeah and i think you know where to go. Safe travels my friend.
 
You're right, I probably do know where to go. Problem is, I heard a nasty hail storm went through the area and I'd really like to hit the "right field" at first light. I need to find some decent spots that aren't CRP (or 8ft weeds) for the boys...
 
From what i saw in that area it really didnt look too bad..but you are right the cover is kinda thick..but you know they are there and the boys will get em
 
The youth opener has become more important to me than the regular opener in recent years.
Click to expand...

I absolutely couldn't agree more. My son, now 17, no longer qualifies. We talked as recently as last night about how much we miss this weekend. In fact, we may just go out and scout....it was that much fun.

Have a very safe and enjoyable trip, as we all know, they aren't under 16 forever.

Point!
 
Bilbo Baggins said:
KB, my 10 year old and I will be there for the normal opener (Saturday through Monday). I need to take him out of school for "cultural reasons" on Monday. Good luck and let us know what happens.
Click to expand...

AMEN, to culture reasons! I'll post a report and probably some pics Sunday or Monday.
 
Cut Short

One of life's "events" happened last night, but we swallowed the big lumps in our throats and made the trek anyway. I'll provide some pictures after taking care of some unwelcome business.

The birds are up a bit in the area I hunted. The older boy connected on a perfect point and honor from our 2 veteran dogs. His first shot of the season broke a wing, the bird hit the ground head up and haulin', but he would not escape the chomping jaws of 2 dogs who were bird-drunk at the moment.

We saw 13 or 14 roosters in 3-4hrs of hunting, but only 1 hen. Scenting conditions are terrible, so I'm sure the hens were just sitting tight.

Side note: A guy with 4 kids in a suburban watched us start walking a field. As soon as he saw us flush a bird, he got his hunters out and they walked the draw we were planning to walk into the wind:mad: Enough about that, it was a GREAT half-day!!
 
What that guy did sounds about normal for that area...again sorry for what happened my friend but i know u and the boys will get through..glad u saw some better numbers and makes me wanna be there even more
 
Glad you guys hit feathers. There are many rude people in any sport or hobby. Just forgive the stupidity and rudeness of that other idiot. We will be glad to hit it next weekend.
 
Our half day detailed

We arrived late at 8am. We saw a couple birds cross the road as we neared our spot. They flushed into the grass on the public land after we stopped. I asked, "you boys wanna hunt here first?" The jumped for their equipment.

After 'em we went. Being young birds, they'd flown about 50 yards in and lit:D We got the dogs out and crossed the fence. Tate was on 'em as soon as we got to 'em, but he was on the other side of a big brush pile. With no time to get the boys to the other side of the pile, they stood at the ready. Out busts a pair of roosters. One flies at 'em and both the boys were awestruck long enough that not a shot was fired. 2 more bust, and fly right over us, the 9yo got off a safe, but poor shot. The 12yo struggled with a last-minute replacement shotgun and doesn't even get a shot off.

As soon as we got the dogs' noses pointed into the wind, we got a point and honor with no obstruction. With boys in position the bird jumps and the 12yo broke a wing with his first shot of the season. The chase ensued and the boys enjoyed a helluva show. The bird was caught by the desperate jaws of some bird-drunk dogs.

We left that field and hit several other small places, hitting feed and an array of cover. We saw 2 more rooster pairs, but for reasons of inexperience, none of them were harmed (barely shot at) in their escape:D Some spots produced no flushes. We only saw one hen. Did I mention it was dry as a bone?

It could be a decent season, but we could use precip for the opener. The milo was 35% harvested (guess) in the area we hunted. The sample size is around 30 milo fields.
 
Kb glad u and the boys got into the birds a little. Gives me some hope that i may see one or two this weekend. Hopefully the rain today will give us a little moisture to work with. The fact that you saw some young birds is promising that they had a good hatch and that we will see a rebound in a couple years.
 
Nice report on your successful hunt KB. Glad you guys saw some birds. A shame Barney showed up and hunted the field you were working. You would think there would be very little pressure on the Youth Opener and there would be plenty of other ground to walk. Good luck to you and the boys this coming weekend.
 
Im getting excited. Gonna have our boys out next weekend even tho I was doing chores this weekend during the youth opener. I kinda had to start over on bird dogs with my two pointers I had both dying in the same year. I finally got the young replacement shorthair out last year.
 
We got a late start too, didn't even leave the house until about 10:00, and so didn't reach the first field until after 12:00. Blank on the first field, but got a false point. The second field produced one point, one bird, but no shots fired. These 2 fields were WIHA. Drove by a half dozen others that I would not bother to hunt.

Kid was tired at that point, but I had one more private field I wanted to scout. He stayed in the truck, but should have come along. There were several points and at least 8 birds. I didn't even walk the whole thing. He would have had several good opportunties if he had come. Oh well.

It was good day, and yes, scenting conditions were horrible.


Ona sad note, I heard on the radio this morning that a 56 year old was accidentally shot by a 12 year old swinging on a covey rise. The victim was flown to Salina, I know nothing else about his condition. I think I heard that this happened up near Clay Center. Thoughts and prayers for both the victim and the shooter. Be safe!
 
Good times for young hunters.
 
kansasbrittany said:
One of life's "events" happened last night, but we swallowed the big lumps in our throats and made the trek anyway. I'll provide some pictures after taking care of some unwelcome business.

The birds are up a bit in the area I hunted. The older boy connected on a perfect point and honor from our 2 veteran dogs. His first shot of the season broke a wing, the bird hit the ground head up and haulin', but he would not escape the chomping jaws of 2 dogs who were bird-drunk at the moment.

We saw 13 or 14 roosters in 3-4hrs of hunting, but only 1 hen. Scenting conditions are terrible, so I'm sure the hens were just sitting tight.

Side note: A guy with 4 kids in a suburban watched us start walking a field. As soon as he saw us flush a bird, he got his hunters out and they walked the draw we were planning to walk into the wind:mad: Enough about that, it was a GREAT half-day!!
Click to expand...

KB, were you hunting around your folks area? Heading out there on Thursday and staying until the 17th to hunt birds and deer with the bow. Farmers are cutting Milo at a feverish pace.

Good luck!

Kick'em Up
 

This point produced the day's bird.


This point was a runner, whose tactics proved effective.


A motivated lad he is, chasing a bird he saw flush from some weeds and land in the milo...yes, I wished him luck before he took off:D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top