Eastern Iowa Birds

[161]

I went out last night with the dogs. And had three birds in three shots in about 15 minutes. The reports said there are very few in my are. But I saw 5 roosters all together and some hens. Dogs did a great job.

Went out tonight and saw a hen Guss did a great job of pointing it out. That's worth a lot just to see the dog work. Saw some geese some turkeys and a nice buck. Didn't shoot anything but it was good to be outside. Wife says I'm a lot easier to be around since hunting season opened.
Warren

[161]

Three more tonight. And missed three. Got a pretty good deal on that $75.00 shock collar that came with a dog in it. They say the numbers are down but I'm finding some to shoot at.
Warren

[ET]

Congrats on racking some birds for the freezer this year.

It’s fun watching a dog work birds and experience the excitement with them when closing in on a bird. The senses come alive and body is in readiness to react for the bird’s eventual escape attempt.

After a fun and productive day along with good physical exercise the handling of life’s tension is a lot easier. Then later on sitting down to a wonderful meal from the fruits of your labor just tops it off nicely.

Enjoy all the Outdoors has to offer.


Ed

[161]

Ed good to hear from you again. I'm heading out today to try my luck. Thought about driving to NW Iowa where I know I'd limit out. But the thought of 4 hours each way for 3 birds didn't interest me. I think if I spend that time here I'll get my limit. And the dogs should have more fun and I'll get more exercise.
Warren

[ET]

161

I really enjoy following your pheasant hunts as it allows me to think back when my 4-legged buddy was around for hunting pheasants. Man he loved hunting for them and his excitement was so contagious. Just from his body language I knew when he caught a decent scent. Then that was my cue to maneuver into a good shooting position to get a crack at the bird when it busted skyward.

With our combined teamwork I managed a high percentage of hits but of course there’s always a few misses that causes one to scratch his head. Also with those misses I would often get a funny look from Shadow as if he said, “ Now how could you miss, that will deny me some extra giblets for my efforts”? So often I just shrugged my shoulders and mumbled, Seed for the Future. ;D

Know what you mean about long tiring drives to enjoy a fast paced hunt with plentiful game. Around here birds are not that plentiful and have to search hard to get some. But in the end of getting a bird or two after hours of hiking and searching it was worth the effort. Dog and hunter always came home happy just to have been out there hiking and exploring the countryside together.

Hope you had a great day.


Ed

[161]

To my amazement I limited out by 9:15. And I missed the first two. We were at the field 15 minutes early to get set up. Walked about 300 yards and Guss went on point. A rooster flushed and it should have been a gravy shot. But I missed don't know how.
about 200 yards more Guss bounced another out. I had my new Browning upland with the safety on the top instead of my 870. Didn't get the safety off. So by now I'm not a happy camper. But in the end Guss pointed another and my Jack Russel, Zoe flushed one and I got them both.

We went to another spot and I knocked one down and he started running. After about 15 minutes Guss went on point and Zoe flushed the cripple bird out. It was hilarious watching both dogs chase that pheasant. Just after they went into some tall grass I saw Guss jump and grab a piece of rooster. Then all I could see was her, horse over apple cart. Her back legs flew up over the top of the grass as she rolled head over heal. If I didn't have the dogs
I don't think I'd have any interest in bird hunting.
They're what make it worth the time.


Also I would have been fit to be tied if I drove 4 hours to hunt an hour and 15 minutes. Then 4 hours home.
Warren

[ET]

Wish I could have been there and seen the dogs working first hand.
You never know what can happen when/where a bird flushes or a dogs reaction at times that just seem to catch you off guard as to what just transpired. But that’s all part of the fun and excitement of pheasant hunting. Also very few running cripples are ever lost with a dog.

Now the best lesson I got one day is looking for a bird I just smoked in the air and it appeared to drop near a thicket. A thicket is just a bunch of tall branching shrubbery growing tight together. Shadow witnessed the drop and immediately went to pursue the bird. When I finally caught up with him at the thicket he just kept working the thicket looking for the bird. He knew that bird was there somewhere but couldn’t quite locate it. The bird was eventually found caught hanging in the branches and retrieved. If it was not for the dog’s insistence the bird was nearby I may have easily overlooked the dead bird caught up in the branches.

I agree pheasant hunting would not be the same or as much fun without a dog to share it with. The memory of those experiences is priceless.

As for changing over shotguns like an 870 to say an over/under shotgun and retraining the reflexes for the safety location, been there and done that.
To me there’s nothing like hunting small game with an over/under shotgun. It just has a traditional feeling that provides satisfaction and belongs to the hunt. I love it.

Look forward to reading about the next adventure.


Ed

[jims]

I understand the bird numbers are down there this year.

[161]

That's what I was told also. And it is spotty. But a lot better than last year. I've been happy with the hunts I've been on. But I place the credit with my two four legged huntin buddies. I would have walked right by most of the birds I shot.

Going out again today if the rail drops back to a drizzle. See what happens.
Warren

[161]

Been out a couple of time , not much to report until tonight. I made it a point to leave work as close to quiting time as I could. Made it to the field about 3:30. Guss had two great points and I actually did my part an hit the birds. Zoe made the retrieves. Took out the short 311 Stevens that I talked about rabbit hunting with last winter. The one with imp cyl and mod barrels. Both birds fell in a puff of feathers. Tonight when I cleaned them I came to realize I could let them get a little further away. Guss kicked up another while I was putting a bird in my pouch. And Zoe went running ahead an kicked 2 roosters up about 75 yards in front of me. I only have one shock collar an it went right on Zoe after that stunt. I love that dog to death. She's sitting beside me right now sleeping. But I'm going to break her of the running ahead. But still it was a great night to be out with the dogs. Running these dogs
I'm loosing weight like crazy down to 165. I haven't seen that number in years.
Warren

[deadon]

Nov 16, 2010 19:25:12 GMT -5 161 said:

Been out a couple of time , not much to report until tonight. I made it a point to leave work as close to quiting time as I could. Made it to the field about 3:30. Guss had two great points and I actually did my part an hit the birds. Zoe made the retrieves. Took out the short 311 Stevens that I talked about rabbit hunting with last winter. The one with imp cyl and mod barrels. Both birds fell in a puff of feathers. Tonight when I cleaned them I came to realize I could let them get a little further away. Guss kicked up another while I was putting a bird in my pouch. And Zoe went running ahead an kicked 2 roosters up about 75 yards in front of me. I only have one shock collar an it went right on Zoe after that stunt. I love that dog to death. She's sitting beside me right now sleeping. But I'm going to break her of the running ahead. But still it was a great night to be out with the dogs. Running these dogs
I'm loosing weight like crazy down to 165. I haven't seen that number in years.
Warren

Maybe you should not break um just yet

[161]

Just one 1 last evening saw a couple more but the were to far away. Dogs did a great job on the point. Zoe listens a little better after the shock collar treatment. Found another dead coyote. Don't know if it was shot or not. It looked healthy but I didn't want my dogs around it.
Warren