Late November or December hunt ...

B

BO BOLT & JEWELL

New member
I have followed the forum for a while and THINK I had previously registered and posted but there are so many forums these days maybe I didn't register. In either case, I have bird hunted for over 30 years ( mainly grouse ), but always wanted to pheasant hunt. I have three GSP's and wanted to hunt several states early season. Due to some family health issues I need to stick around until late November or December. If weather is decent what states do you recommend for WIHA hunts? Looked at Kansas, but numbers seem down last several years. SD is further to travel and I have mixed info on available land. Will likely have two hunters and 3-4 dogs. Thanks for any information and thoughts in advance.
 
Welcome to the forum...you'll get an answer soon, but let us know where you're from.
Jim
 
If it's about the adventure more than the birds I'm sure you'll find one wherever you decide to go.:cheers:
 
Heard of better numbers this year in Iowa , assume that might be closer . The DNR can get you a sportsman Atlas.

South Dakota up 40 percent over last year is projected , later in the year you should find lots of oppurtunity .

Kansas it was as bad as it has ever been far as harvest numbers worst since the state has kept records . We will see a bit of rebound . But there was no where to go but up .

Montana is on an up year , they don't always put up big harvest numbers but every day I hunted there in 08 I shot my limit of pheasants . Fantastic Access to good properties .
 
KSBrittman said:
Heard of better numbers this year in Iowa , assume that might be closer . The DNR can get you a sportsman Atlas.

South Dakota up 40 percent over last year is projected , later in the year you should find lots of oppurtunity .

Kansas it was as bad as it has ever been far as harvest numbers worst since the state has kept records . We will see a bit of rebound . But there was no where to go but up .

Montana is on an up year , they don't always put up big harvest numbers but every day I hunted there in 08 I shot my limit of pheasants . Fantastic Access to good properties .
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I have been talking to friends and surfing the forums I watch regularly and the thing that surprises me the most is the sheer number of people who seem to prefer late season. My limited experience with pheasants has already taught me that they seem to hold better late season than when it is hot. They really wanted to run when it was hot last year. I also seem to think that the number of hunters is lower that time of year. Right or worng? And any other reasons, I guess I am leaning toward SD, the numbers in Kansas seem to be a real problem. I hope to take a friend who has not bird hunted at all and I do not want him to have a birdless experience.
 
Check the regs and make sure in the state you choose and make sure Rifle deer season is over or winding down , We see pretty big numbers here in KS when rifle season is on Typically the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving and through the following 2 weekends .

Birds will be concentrated in heavier cover that time of year . As far as holding for point a big question mark ? New fallen snow they often hold the best , old crusted snow they run on top you sink in can be a real lung burner .

What was said earlier you will be making a great memory !!!! us let us know what you decide and post a few pictures.

Shoot straight and have fun
 
I have only hunted pheasants in my home state of Kansas. I know Kansas doesn't have a bird under every bush, but I have always been satisfied with my time here. Yes, the lengthy drought really did reduced our bird numbers of pheasant, quail and prairie chickens, but the numbers are increasing. In Kansas there is public access to lots of acres, liberal limits, a season until January 31st and some beautiful winter sunsets.

Come to Kansas about the middle of December 2015 and you will be sold a 2016 license, so you can hunt the last of December 2015 and all of 2016. A person might want to avoid rifle deer season that this year is December 2-13.

I personally prefer the late season hunts. Weather can be iffy--- could be a blessing or a blizzard. Give me crisp frigid morning after a fresh fallen snow and I am in pheasant hunting heaven.

Wherever you go, I wish you good hunting.
 
"I personally prefer the late season hunts. Weather can be iffy--- could be a blessing or a blizzard. Give me crisp frigid morning after a fresh fallen snow and I am in pheasant hunting heaven. "

My favorite also!!!
 
Late season in SD is my favorite. Go after rifle (deer) season is over. Hotels are easy to find, swamps frozen, far less pressure, dogs last longer, and private land permission is pretty easy. Granted the young dumb birds are gone but the tail feathers are longer!

PS less skunks too
 
Gatzby said:
Late season in SD is my favorite. Go after rifle (deer) season is over. Hotels are easy to find, swamps frozen, far less pressure, dogs last longer, and private land permission is pretty easy. Granted the young dumb birds are gone but the tail feathers are longer!

PS less skunks too
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I think that's well said:thumbsup:. I prefer December too. Cold air, snow, and bunched up birds. Typically I'll see more birds on my December trips than I do in November.

Nick
 
BO said:
You late season guys are really making me feel A LOT BETTER about not getting to go to Montana in October.
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Trust me, you'd have fun there too.;) lol

Nick
 
1pheas4 said:
Trust me, you'd have fun there too.;) lol

Nick
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Oh trust me, God willing and the creeks don't rise, I will be in Montana some next fall. I go through phases. My first phase was to hunt every state and chase elk without hesitation. Check done that. My next phase was to take several B&C whitetails. Check done that. Next phase - HUNT A LOT OF UPLAND GAME BIRDS OUTSIDE OF MY HOME AREA.
 
We get birds pretty consistently throughout the season. I hunted every nearly every weekend from opening weekend through the end of December last year. Canceled once because the roads were really bad, and once for a work deal.

Got birds every weekend.. wild ones at that.

There were a few weekends I was questioning my sanity, the worst weekend the dog was questioning my sanity, but we did it.

The really bad weekend, about 30 minutes into the hunt the dog stopped me, jumped up on my chest and just stared me in the eyes. I chose to interpret that as "I'm friggin cold and want to go back in the truck."
 
41magsnub said:
We get birds pretty consistently throughout the season. I hunted every nearly every weekend from opening weekend through the end of December last year. Canceled once because the roads were really bad, and once for a work deal.

Got birds every weekend.. wild ones at that.

There were a few weekends I was questioning my sanity, the worst weekend the dog was questioning my sanity, but we did it.

The really bad weekend, about 30 minutes into the hunt the dog stopped me, jumped up on my chest and just stared me in the eyes. I chose to interpret that as "I'm friggin cold and want to go back in the truck."
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For a guy who has to travel a LONG way to get there, what time frame is a better time to consider going? Going to Kansas and getting snowed in for a week is one thing. Going to Montana from home is a different animal. I have been there many times, but have enjoyed flying. That is not nearly as practical with three or more dogs!
 
I drove from CA to SD last year in December and wouldn't you know I brought my weather with me.:eek: I was really looking forward to one of those fridged, snowy December mornings.
 
KSBrittman said:
"I personally prefer the late season hunts. Weather can be iffy--- could be a blessing or a blizzard. Give me crisp frigid morning after a fresh fallen snow and I am in pheasant hunting heaven. "

My favorite also!!!
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yeh boy.....what he said :thumbsup:
 
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