Gun Dog Forum

Hello people who are smarter than me (hopefully),
I asking for your opinions about a thing I'm running through my head. This year, like most, the pheasant report for Kansas is again bad. I was planning on getting my out of state licensce($75) and taking 5-6 day trips and maybe a 3 day weekend to go chase what few birds the northeast/ northcentral part of the state has remaining. With that many trips and gas prices where they are at (I figure it would take me at least $500 in just gas) is it worth it to do it that way or to just go to a preserve we have around here and put that money towards a preserve hunt. I'm not hunting to kill birds but for the dog work. Let me know what you would do please.
Ross

I would think if you are not hunting to kill birds, then a poor population would not be important and the big factor is how much do you enjoy hunting in Kansas compared to a preserve.

I'd put all the money into a couple long trips to SD.

If you ask that question then likely it will not be worth it.

Nevada and Utah have a ton of chukar. Just hunt there and make half the trips.

ultracarry wrote:Nevada and Utah have a ton of chukar. Just hunt there and make half the trips.

No birds in UT, I hear there are lots in NV.

$500 can buy you alot of birds. Go to a local game farm or individual who's raising pheasants and or quail.... If you're less concerned about killing than dog work, and more concerned about Obama's "Change" on fuel costs, then I'd look into some land you can access cheap and work your dog on some planted birds locally. Unless you gamble on a trip to Kansas, either way you're shooting pen raised, planted birds.

One well pointed and worked wild bird would be more worth the trip to me then 50 planted bird. Just saying......

Maybe you could spend $250 on preserve birds, save the other $250 and start saving for a trip next year?

Like stated above watching your dog pin one wild bird would be worth it, not sure that there is a better feeling in the world!

Your a dumb@ss why dont you give me a call, save on gas, find birds, and have a place to stay! Your always welcome, except when you arent.

topher40 wrote:Your a dumb@ss why dont you give me a call, save on gas, find birds, and have a place to stay! Your always welcome, except when you arent.

What a guy! That's why we like him some!

Really low on birds around here too and just to far to go way over east. I know a couple places that might have a few so I plan on taking my dogs and shoot with a camera. We've been without birds around here for quite awhile now.

That Kroll is a pretty good guy... Except for when he isn't

Oh Kroll,
I might take you up on that. The crap of it is its 20 gallons of gas every time I come out and see your pretty face, expect when it isn't. I might just get a license to maybe help some birds in KS and only take half the planned trips. Probably will make the wife mad but the day does end in day doesn't it. I agree with the wild bird comments, but a lot of it comes down to the wife being annoyed when I miss a Saturday or a Sunday hunting and come home empty handed (she cares I do not, its like she looks at the bottom line or something) She lets me hunt a lot so I don't want to give her to much ammo against me going to play with my dog for a crisp $100 bill. Thanks fellas/ladies and I'll still consider any opinions on the matter.
Ross

Shooting a preserve bird is about as challenging as getting to second base with a blowup doll, go hunting.

nikegundog wrote:Shooting a preserve bird is about as challenging as getting to second base with a blowup doll, go hunting.

Ha Ha Ha Ha HA Ha HA Ha Amen to that. Suck it up and go hunting.....or stay home and let us find the birds for you!

Just go have fun!

I'm with the masses. Heck if you make it down to SouthCentral KS, hit me up. I'd be glad to pound the grass with ya. No promises of what we'll find, but I can promise we'd work dogs and have fun.

I don't know ya, but its always good to meet new people and swap lies....err, Stories I mean.

hunterw/newhobby wrote:Oh Kroll,
I might take you up on that. The crap of it is its 20 gallons of gas every time I come out and see your pretty face, expect when it isn't. I might just get a license to maybe help some birds in KS and only take half the planned trips. Probably will make the wife mad but the day does end in day doesn't it. I agree with the wild bird comments, but a lot of it comes down to the wife being annoyed when I miss a Saturday or a Sunday hunting and come home empty handed (she cares I do not, its like she looks at the bottom line or something) She lets me hunt a lot so I don't want to give her to much ammo against me going to play with my dog for a crisp $100 bill. Thanks fellas/ladies and I'll still consider any opinions on the matter.
Ross

You might end up giving her everything but the dog and truck, but i'll be "bleep" if I don't smile more and have younger girls around you know the ones that are in college, love dogs, horses, and want to have a good time. Just remind me I need to settle down before I get more ugly than I already am (if that's possible).

Three buddies and I are leaving for KS thanksgiving night. Never been but gonna try it out. We are going somewhere in Pratt County.(not sure about nearest town) Birds or not it will be fun for us.

Mike

Pratt is one of the hardest hit counties or areas in Kansas with drought, you might want to rethink the Pratt area Birddog42?

We supposedly have private ground to hunt with supposedly plenty of birds. So that's where we r headed. I've drove farther and had a horrible time. We will have enough adult beverages to make it a good time either way.

Mike

It's always worth it. One bird in the bag is better than 100 planted birds. I'm headed to Kansas for a 5 day hunt, I plan on puttin a lot of miles on the truck and boots, and hunting hard from sun up to sun down.

That all sounds well and good....and I agree I'd rather walk for the sake of walking and find a wild bird or two....


But I dunno if your dog would want to turn down 100 birds for one wild one.....What you think ?

Birddog1968 that's what I'm thinking. I dont mind the walking but I sure like to reward the dog busting her butt with a few birds.

I went last year and saw 70-100 birds a day. Should've had about 5 more in the bag than I did. My fault not the dogs. Shoulda woulda coulda.

nikegundog wrote:Shooting a preserve bird is about as challenging as getting to second base with a blowup doll, go hunting.

Do tell us your secret...

GO TO KANSAS...( yes I'am yelling)

I hear ya Mike! Opening day of 99 Ks opener I walked literly all day in 90 plus degrees to get 2 birds in the last field.

If you're anywhere near where I am (Which includes Pratt Co) the effects of 2 years of drought are pretty bad... You better hope your private ground holds natural springs or ponds that never went dry or there is irrigation near for the birds, or you're gona be really disappointed.

After several failed attempts on my private ground that ALWAYS held birds, I decided to forego it and hunt WIHA that was close proximity to irrigation. I found birds.