Where are the birds?

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:22 pm

I have a one year old pup that is doing great on released birds but needs wild bird exposure. I would like to run him on wild quail but there are few huntable populations in the areas I hunt. Looking for some suggestions on where to find wild birds on public land. I have a week of vacation to burn and willing to burn some gas. Anywhere in TX, NM, Ok, KS, or anywhere really.

codym · Post by **codym** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:45 pm

Sorry to say there aren't many in NM this year.

Cajun Casey · Post by **Cajun Casey** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:05 pm

Kansas is your best bet.

ultracarry · Post by **ultracarry** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:19 pm

Arizona.. or pay a guide down there for a quail hunt.

rkappes · Post by **rkappes** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:20 pm

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:57 am

I've actually been leaning towards Kansas and Arizona. Favoring Kansas since I can chase bobwhites as I have no experience with gambels. I don't plan on shooting any birds, just expose my pup to some wild birds and work on steadying him up. I'm thinking somewhere in the north central part of the state (Wakeeney/Hill City area) from the research I've done. Any suggestions?

Escopeton · Post by **Escopeton** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:42 am

This year, NW Kansas. My buddies are going again this year. They got into birds there. We normally go to the SW KS area but it has been hit hard by drought. Unfortunately, this year I couldn't go on either trip. Don't just go for the bird exposure; if you're dog has been shot over, get yourself a license.

bluestemkennels · Post by **bluestemkennels** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:35 am

Kansas and bring your shotgun. You would hate to have the perfect point and not be able to close the loop with a retrieve.

Bluestem

Coveyrise64 · Post by **Coveyrise64** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:40 am

Some friends spent almost 2 weeks over Thanksgiving hunting a 4 county area around Hill City. WIHA and some private, averaged 1 phez a day and a total of 5 quail during their stay. Good hunters and plenty of dogs too.

Can't always depend on internet reasearch........not the place I'd be going.....

ranchocueva wrote:I've actually been leaning towards Kansas and Arizona. Favoring Kansas since I can chase bobwhites as I have no experience with gambels. I don't plan on shooting any birds, just expose my pup to some wild birds and work on steadying him up. I'm thinking somewhere in the north central part of the state (Wakeeney/Hill City area) from the research I've done. Any suggestions?

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 11:33 am

No birds seems to be a reoccuring theme everywhere. Don't know what to do then. Really wanting to find some wild birds. Hard not to rely on internet research when I live so far away. Also a shame that I have access to tons of great country here in Texas that have hardly any quail. Once beautiful sections that are now just grazed to dirt. Tough year for the ole quail hunter!

tailcracken · Post by **tailcracken** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:17 pm

rkappes wrote:SD

for quail lol dont think so!! kansas is your best bet for quail i have heard around lincoln is pretty good

tailcracken · Post by **tailcracken** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:19 pm

Coveyrise64 wrote:Some friends spent almost 2 weeks over Thanksgiving hunting a 4 county area around Hill City. WIHA and some private, averaged 1 phez a day and a total of 5 quail during their stay. Good hunters and plenty of dogs too.

Can't always depend on internet reasearch........not the place I'd be going.....

ranchocueva wrote:I've actually been leaning towards Kansas and Arizona. Favoring Kansas since I can chase bobwhites as I have no experience with gambels. I don't plan on shooting any birds, just expose my pup to some wild birds and work on steadying him up. I'm thinking somewhere in the north central part of the state (Wakeeney/Hill City area) from the research I've done. Any suggestions?

nw ks isnt the place for quail little more south and east

SetterNut · Post by **SetterNut** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:35 pm

It has been a tough year for birds in most of KS. There are some, but with a young dog its even tougher.
I have a 7 month old setter, been getting out a lot, with not a lot of bird contact.

But for a young dog, quail are better for working on.

ultracarry · Post by **ultracarry** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:42 pm

Ok just come out to California because we have the second largest population of birds . SD has the largest population.

northern cajun · Post by **northern cajun** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:54 pm

Louisiana isn't bad this time of the year either.

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 11:16 pm

La for bobs? Any public land? Wish I had enough time to make a trip to ca.

rkappes · Post by **rkappes** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:57 am

tailcracken wrote:
rkappes wrote:SD
for quail lol dont think so!! kansas is your best bet for quail i have heard around lincoln is pretty good

Hehehe, my bad, didn't see the quail part. :roll:

If the poster is just looking for bird exposure and not going to shoot any of the birds I would think SD would be the place to go.

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:18 am

Well, despite the bleak outlook I'm gonna head north the last week of January. I reckon a week in the field with my pup can't be too bad. I love watching him work and just being out. Birds would be a plus but the experience is the key.

northern cajun · Post by **northern cajun** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:25 am

ranchocueva wrote:La for bobs? Any public land? Wish I had enough time to make a trip to ca.

Few places for bobs not that great but more woodcock than you can shake a stick at!!

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:35 am

Man I would love to chase them woodcock but I don't know doodley squat about hunting them.

ranchocueva · Post by **ranchocueva** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 12:58 pm

Besides I have a big running shorthair that would run off and turn into gator bait.

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