Recent content by Logical

You didn't tell us how you did, either. Saw few birds, missed all of them (4). Discovered I had my Full choke in, which didn't help. Lots of hunters/families back in the area, so lots of pressure. Walk-ins were hit hard (I have access to private land, but that was also hit hard by locals)...

Lots of questions there! I agree with cyclonenation10, though, that I have been told by biologists that thick cover is not conducive to pheasant population. That is borne-out by my observations in a couple fields that look like they would be great for birds, but never find birds in the thick...

I went out around Wray on Opening Weekend. Three of us, with one so-so dog. Saturday was some missed opportunities, but also bagged a total of three. All private access that I have worked to acquire for the last 15 seasons. Sunday was just two of us, and no dog. We each got one, and missed...

In my book, it has been a slow season. But, I also lost about 30 private-access corners to the Pheasants Forever Corners program. Those get hit 4 or 5 times a day, so they are off of my radar. Have gotten a few fields to replace the lost ground, though. However, with much of the season being...

I need a ruling from the masses. I know a "double" is often strictly defined as two birds getting up almost simultaneously, with both being taken. Some folks say a "report" double, where the second flushes when the first one is shot, is not a true double. That was not the case yesterday. We...

Toughshed, is there any grain crop nearby this year? I have found that some of my CRP will produce only in the years where there are grain crops within half a mile. The years that the nearby fields have been in beets, or are now in new winter wheat, there are fewer birds. If there is corn...

Opening Weekend was packed. Some standing corn, so birds were hard to find. Frustratingly, we saw a group of about 20 hunters hit different quarters. They used pushers and blockers, and walked some of the standing corn (some was walk-in, some was private. I know the group walked some private...

A couple landowners I have spoken with in Yuma County (that's as close to where the report is from that I will share) have said bird numbers look at least as good as last year, but the hatches were later. Lots of immature birds out there right now, so roosters will be smaller, and some may not...

There is no such thing as a pheasant "routine". I have hunted the same fields (mostly private) for 13 seasons, every weekend (the first three seasons I also hunted during the week). As mentioned, there are many factors that change the behavior. You hunt a corner or quarter first-thing in the...

Pete, What town are you in? How far are you willing to drive? How early do you want to get up? Your age? I assume you have no dog? Lots of questions to be answered, before someone takes to the field with an armed stranger. I have no problem teaching, but it is always good to get a feel...

Upland, I agree that warmer temps make it harder to find the birds. I think part of it is that they stay in the food (corn) fields more of the day, since they don't have to snuggle-up to a clump of grass for warmth. Or, they don't congregate as much when it is warm, so we only see one, where...

Unfortunately, I have a few more years before I can hunt during the week. I still have to stick to weekends, and may stop hunting Sundays, if this year is the same as last year. Enjoy the peacefulness of the week!

Have you tried cutting the spine out? I use shears on pheasant, but I don't know if they are small enough to spine (or spatchcock) a quail. Maybe I should make an effort to go quail hunting, so I can try it! :D

With pheasant, I cut out the spine, and when removing, everything except the lungs come out. I then run my finger under them, and they come out easily. Doves, though, I just take the breast. Unfortunately, I have not had occasion to hunt (or clean) other game birds, so I don't know how they...

For those of you who hunt both days on many weekends, do you find Sunday success to be less than Saturday, both in number of birds found, and number harvested? I seem to see substantially fewer birds on Sundays than on Saturdays. I try to hunt different fields/corners on Sundays than what I...