anyone else from Illinois?

[martydavis]

Hi I'm Marty Davis from Chillicothe, IL. (20 miles north of Peoria). Illinois sucks for pheasant hunting. I have to hunt at the DNR put-n-takes if I want any kind of a decent hunt. Anybody else from Illinois?

[JMBZ71]

Well Marty, you can't blame the lack of birds in Illinois on me or my hunting partners. We've done a lotta bird hunting along the WI/IL State line over the years and we've sure chased a bunch of birds into IL in the process. Doubt any of 'em made it as far south as Chillicothe though.

If you get a chance to hunt up around Charles Mound (highest point in IL), would you mind chasing a few of 'em back our way? Sure would appreciate it... we're running low.

John

[UplandHntr]

Im in Spring Grove, about a 1/4 mile south of the WI state line.
In IL Im forced to hunt dnr put and take birds too. Im lucky in that Im a mile from the Chain o lakes State Park.

I make an annual pilgrimage to SD each year.
Have 2 Goldens-not the ones in the toilet paper commercials. The ones that actually hunt:cheers:

[tim nobles]

im from aurora but i belong to an ownership club in amboy illinois. we have just under 600 acres. tim

[JDM]

Hi, I'm from Chicago but hunt down south in Dwight, Illinois.

[martydavis]

Glad to see there are a few of us. We're all going to have to meet up sometime for a UPH get together. Maybe a clays shoot with some burgers and beer afterwards sometime this summer. We can meet someplace central to all of us.

JDM - down by Dwight is where Rooster Heaven hunting lodge is. I hunted there last year and am going back there this Saturday (17th). Your hunting grounds any where near there?

Tim - ownership club? Is that a bunch of folks who buy a parcel of land or is it just lease land? You take in guests?

UplandHntr - we should get together at Chain-o-Lakes sometime next year. I have hunted Johnson-Sauk Trail and Sand Ridge SF. I'm always willing to try new places.

John - I'll see what I can do about chasing some birds your way. Would it help if I knocked a fence or two down at MacFarlanes. :)

As a side note - some of us folks with spaniels (I have a fbECS) have started the Spaniel Club of Central Illinois and we get together just about every weekend (once the weather turns nicer) to train our flushers using game birds or pigeons. If you have a flusher, regardless of type, and would like to get together for some quality training and camaraderie with like minded folks let me know via email. cocker-guy@mchsi.com

[burls]

hey marty,

Its jeff from springfield we hunted together one day 2 seasons ago...hope you had a great 2006 season with that great little cocker and your lab!

Got a couple of spots left for our 2007 south dakota trip..pretty inexpensive for 4 nights 3 days...like last time your invited :)

[martydavis]

Hey Jeff, great to hear from you. I had a great 2006. My Lab had to be semi-retired due to seizures, but the little Cocker picked up the slack just fine. I was able to get over to Iowa for a couple of weekends and all of the other weekends were spent at Sand Ridge SF. I've also continued my pheasant hunting with some preserve hunts this month. The spaniel training season starts soon and I have a bunch of pigeons to get through. Thanks for the invite to South Dakota. I'll keep it in mind.

[JMBZ71]

John - I'll see what I can do about chasing some birds your way. Would it help if I knocked a fence or two down at MacFarlanes. :)

Marty, that's an excellent idea. Actually, I live about a mile north of MacFarlane's but I do most of my hunting over in LaFayette County. Anyway, I doubt MacFarlane's wishes to donate to the local wild bird population, such as it is. But thanks for the offer! :)

JMB

[petrey10]

I am from Melvin, IL...pretty decent hunting for IL...Just got an English Pointer and would like some help training it anybody available this sumemr

[martydavis]

Petrey10, welcome and good luck with that new Pointer. How old is it?

[petrey10]

He is about 16-17 months old. Anybody know of a good trainer that I could take him to in our area? What about a gamebird farm that I could get some birds for him to be on?

[burls]

Hey petrey i just got an german shorthair i will be working with this summer...still hunting him at a local preserve..will do more training in late summer for the fall 07.

[lvrgsp]

Hello all, My name is Chip and I am from Central Il. I have a few hunting spots but nothing like it used to be, I have 2 GSP's one is 2 and one is a 5 month old pup. I believ I will be making a trekkage to kansas this fall for a week of hunting. And I am always up for a shoot and some food and Beer:cheers: Here are a couple of pics of my dogs.

Chip

Jill the puppy.......
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/denhamjr/IMG_2624.jpg

And Jack 2 yrs. Hopefully I will finish his MH title this fall.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/denhamjr/IMG_2475.jpg

[Jeff1inIL]

My name is Jeff and I am new to UPH. I grew up hunting in LaSalle county, but now live north in Grayslake, IL. I am trying to put together a couple of days hunting in SD. Anyone got any ideas on how to start?

Jeff

[martydavis]

My name is Jeff and I am new to UPH. I grew up hunting in LaSalle county, but now live north in Grayslake, IL. I am trying to put together a couple of days hunting in SD. Anyone got any ideas on how to start?

Jeff

Jeff, SD is awesome. I used to live out by Rapid City and hunted down around Martin, SD. on the western side. I never made it to the eastern side where all the great pheasant hunting is, but I saw plenty of prairie birds. I have started hunting Iowa and can be at some pretty decent places to hunt in a few hours. The Iowa license is for the entire season. Good luck about finding out about SD.

marty

[MyDogDaisy]

Hey all.... I'm from nothern IL near Aurora... got a 11 month old GSP Puppy that is all about finding birds.. New to the forum.. First gun dog but we love to hunt...

[MyDogDaisy]

Hey all..

Near the end of the season in IL... I have had a great season and my puppy has a nose that I can not believe.. This pup doesn't walk by a bird...

Still cant get the dog to retreive the birds. Once their shot she's done with them.. I'm still walking to pick em up.

[dmueller24]

hey everyone my name is daren. I just just got back into hunting after a long break. About the only place areound here to hun is the DNR also. Im from southern il. About 30 mins outside of St. louis. I also just got a 6 mo. old brittany pup named trigger. Gotta get him ready for next season and the season opener in iowa.

[lvrgsp]

Well, how did everybody do last year? Any plans on this years hunts, fellars?
We had a pretty good season here, got into some wild birds and did a couple of guided hunts with Jack, ran him in 2 trials placed third in one out of 20 dogs I think, Jill had a really great puppy/derby spring trial season, a 1st , a 2nd and 3,3rds, as well as finishing her JH title, maybe we will go to western Nebraska this coming year, anyone been out that way hunting in the last few years?

Chip :cheers:

[TRAPnHUNT]

Checking in here from McHenry, IL. I hunt various locations which includes DNR State Parks, private clubs, and private farmlands.

[show stopper]

Hi all, I'm from Fox Lake. I hunt up the DNR land and on rare occasion I get a chance at private land.

[FCSpringer]

Glad to see there are a few of us. We're all going to have to meet up sometime for a UPH get together. Maybe a clays shoot with some burgers and beer afterwards sometime this summer. We can meet someplace central to all of us.

JDM - down by Dwight is where Rooster Heaven hunting lodge is. I hunted there last year and am going back there this Saturday (17th). Your hunting grounds any where near there?

Tim - ownership club? Is that a bunch of folks who buy a parcel of land or is it just lease land? You take in guests?

UplandHntr - we should get together at Chain-o-Lakes sometime next year. I have hunted Johnson-Sauk Trail and Sand Ridge SF. I'm always willing to try new places.

John - I'll see what I can do about chasing some birds your way. Would it help if I knocked a fence or two down at MacFarlanes. :)

As a side note - some of us folks with spaniels (I have a fbECS) have started the Spaniel Club of Central Illinois and we get together just about every weekend (once the weather turns nicer) to train our flushers using game birds or pigeons. If you have a flusher, regardless of type, and would like to get together for some quality training and camaraderie with like minded folks let me know via email. marty2317@mchsi.com

Wondering If this involves the ESS field trials down there, I had my dog there in Central Ill Last fall and he is making a return in a couple weeks for another Run, Hope for better than 4th this go around.

[Mr Hyde]

Man I got to start reading this thread, I am in Milan IL. I would be intrested in a get together just give me a time and place I need to work my Pudel pointer.

MJ

[Vizsla Vince]

I'm from West Chicago, & have to put up with the DNR spots, too.

I did find a nice public club in Morris... Its called Erienna Hunt Club. And, no, I don't have any stake in the place, I'm just a regular! They're nice people, & very affordable. No membership dues, just pay for your birds, & go!

My son is in the USAF & was just stationed to Ellsworth AFB in SD! So, guess when Dad is gonna make a visit?? I've never been to SD, but am totally jazzed about it!

[UplandHntr]

Hi all, I'm from Fox Lake. I hunt up the DNR land and on rare occasion I get a chance at private land.

Hi neighbor
you hunt chain o lakes too??

Im in Spring Grove

[UplandHntr]

I'm from West Chicago, & have to put up with the DNR spots, too.

I did find a nice public club in Morris... Its called Erienna Hunt Club. And, no, I don't have any stake in the place, I'm just a regular! They're nice people, & very affordable. No membership dues, just pay for your birds, & go!

My son is in the USAF & was just stationed to Ellsworth AFB in SD! So, guess when Dad is gonna make a visit?? I've never been to SD, but am totally jazzed about it!

I hunted Erienna a few years ago and left after an hour with roughly 7,198,392,001 burrs in my dog. I talked to them about it before leaving and they admitted that they shouldve sprayed for these but didnt-a lot of guys had been complaining. What a nitemare. I havent been back since

[Vizsla Vince]

I hunted Erienna a few years ago and left after an hour with roughly 7,198,392,001 burrs in my dog. I talked to them about it before leaving and they admitted that they shouldve sprayed for these but didnt-a lot of guys had been complaining. What a nitemare. I havent been back since



I've never had an issue with burrs out there... Then again, my dog is short coated. Don't remember needing to pick any off of my clothes, either. Maybe they listened to their customers? What a novel business plan!

[JD138]

What can anyone tell me about the Champaign area for pheasants. Any good? Been over there a few times this year and it looks like it would be good.

[ROCK]

Hi JD,I have a friend that hunts in North-EAST Champaign County.He hunts mostly filter strips and one piece of CREP ground and he does very good there.Hope it helps.

[JD138]

Hi JD,I have a friend that hunts in North-EAST Champaign County.He hunts mostly filter strips and one piece of CREP ground and he does very good there.Hope it helps.

Thanks, My wife has a few friends over there in Champaign and we've been over a couple times. Not a bad drive from my house so I was curious about the birds.

[Hockeybob]

Checking in from Glenview, IL. My hunts in Illinois are limited to the DNR sites. Silver Springs, Des Plaines and the Chain.
I make two trips a year to South Dakota and its simply incredible!
Used to have private land in Livingston county IL but that is now gone with housing developments and lack of cover.

Bob

[UplandHntr]

Checking in from Glenview, IL. My hunts in Illinois are limited to the DNR sites. Silver Springs, Des Plaines and the Chain.
I make two trips a year to South Dakota and its simply incredible!
Used to have private land in Livingston county IL but that is now gone with housing developments and lack of cover.

Bob

I live a mile from the Chain. Have your dates yet? I have 3 so far

I hunt SD too- mixed success

[Hockeybob]

I live a mile from the Chain. Have your dates yet? I have 3 so far

I hunt SD too- mixed success

I have one date at the chain so far (the 25th of November). I mainly hunt during the week as its easier for me. In SD we hunt west of Aberdeen on a farm that is awesome. A little pricey ($150.00 per gun / day) but its worth every cent!

[UplandHntr]

I have one date at the chain so far (the 25th of November). I mainly hunt during the week as its easier for me. In SD we hunt west of Aberdeen on a farm that is awesome. A little pricey ($150.00 per gun / day) but its worth every cent!

I have 12/12, 12/18 and 12/19 so far. I normally do stand by during the week since Im so close. I like the colder weather too

[Mr Hyde]

Upland or hockey,

do you guys get a chance to duck hunt at the chain ??

[UplandHntr]

I have not - not sure why -just havent. I need to look into deer hunting as well. Way too close to home to not take advantage of all opportunities in there

[Hockeybob]

I looked into this years ago and it was a crazy lottery system. It may have changed since then. I duck hunt in the UP of Michigan at our camp a few weekends each year. My love is Pheasant / Deer Hunting though.

[Mr Hyde]

I just wondering how the duck hunting was last year, on the west side of state mississippi valley area it really stunk.

Also how crowed does the chain get during pheasant season on the weekdays ??

[Hockeybob]

MR Hyde,

The permits for pheasant hunting are available now on the IL DNR website. They allow a certain quota of hunters each day. Always get my birds at the Chain. Only advice is some areas are very wet, marshy. You need to get there early the day of your permit to secure a "good" area.

Bob

[Mr Hyde]

MR Hyde,

The permits for pheasant hunting are available now on the IL DNR website. They allow a certain quota of hunters each day. Always get my birds at the Chain. Only advice is some areas are very wet, marshy. You need to get there early the day of your permit to secure a "good" area.

Bob
Thanks for the info Bob one more question

Is it first come first serve or do they pick the area for you ??

I hunt Johnson Sauk in Kewanee Il. and they change their format from a lottery balls, too picking the area for you, it sucks but the DNR guy is pretty fair sometimes,

MJ

[Hockeybob]

Mr. Hyde,

Its first come first served for area choice. Gates open at 8:00am. Cars start lining up around 7:00am. The stand by line is to the right so stay in the left lane with permits. When you get up to the main office you walk up and select an area. There are plenty of good areas. I like the grass fields so my dog can work. There is woods as well. Plenty of Roosters, 60% vs 40% hens. If you decide to go, I can tell you the the areas I like to go.

[Mr Hyde]

Mr. Hyde,

Its first come first served for area choice. Gates open at 8:00am. Cars start lining up around 7:00am. The stand by line is to the right so stay in the left lane with permits. When you get up to the main office you walk up and select an area. There are plenty of good areas. I like the grass fields so my dog can work. There is woods as well. Plenty of Roosters, 60% vs 40% hens. If you decide to go, I can tell you the the areas I like to go.

Sound good thanks Bob

[JD138]

Are the controlled Pheasant hunts in Illinois like the put and take hunts in Indiana? Released birds?

[Hockeybob]

That is correct. Birds are released 2 birds per hunter. You can also buy a 3 or 4 bird permit. Almost always get your birds.

[JD138]

Do they have a draw for wild birds hunts? In Indiana(northern Indiana), they have a special draw hunt. I've put my name in for 10 yrs. and have never been selected yet.

[UplandHntr]

no,


Bob, I have more than 2 birds this year. The T Mileer run sites offer more now

[show stopper]

Hi neighbor
you hunt chain o lakes too??

Im in Spring Grove

Yeah, my friends and I hunt the chain quite a bit.

[CIL hunter]

hey i from just south of bloomington, will be hunting some DNR ground for the first time. Will be hunting moraine view, wondering if anyone had hunted there before and had any pointers: when to show up, where to go, do you get to pick your hunting area, if so what areas to pick.

Thanks

[lvrgsp]

How far south of Bloomington? I am south of Bloom as well, and have hunted the Morainview ground a few times, early morning is the best time to get there as check in is before 7 I believe. If you did not buy a permit you used to be able to just show up on the standby hunting list. It's broken down into different fields so some fields are alot better than others, I always limit out. I like to look and listen just abit before actually letting the dogs out, to see where adjoining hunters are. What kinda dogs you have?
Hope that helps some.

LVRGSP

[CIL hunter]

I am located in Heyworth

I have a one year old German Shorthair. Thanks that helps a bunch.

Do you know if you can check in all day or do you have to be checked in by a certain time. ALso if you have to check in in the morning can you check in and leave and then come back in the afternoon to hunt, just wondering in case i have some schedule conflicts.

Also one of the days i got a permit for is actually the wed before pheasant season opens. Is this a mistake, or do they allow hunting before the opening of the season.

Thanks

[Pheasant Hunting Fever]

i Live in sterling. A decend amount of bird hunting up here. Not as much as would like, never seen a wild bobwhite since that big snow storm a long time ago. I unt on private property, never went on DNR land except for dove up in Morrison Rockwood

[martydavis]

Hello from Chillicothe, IL. It's nice to see so many folks from Illinois stopping by to tell their stories.

I hunt at Sand Ridge State Forest near Manito/Forest City. It is a DNR put-n-take. The cost this year went up from $15 to $25, but the quality of hunt is still great and worth every penny. The reservation system has changed on-line to a reservation instead of paying for the permits up front on-line. I have several dates reserved and all I have to do is show up at 8am on the day I've reserved with my $25 cash. I reserve pretty close to EVERY Saturday. Using vacation days I also go on a few week days. One plus so far with the new reservation system is folks reserve a spot and then they don't show up leaving many stand-by slots open. So far every one that has showed up to hunt has got to.

I have an interest in a few of us going over to Iowa for a hunt the second weekend of December, but all of the reports I've read have been horrendous. We were looking at the north central area - anybody have a few hot spots to share or should we just stay here in Illinois and save our money?

[UplandBri]

Hey Marty, I'll be hunting Sand Ridge for the first time in a couple of weeks. Any tips?

[UplandBri]

I'm from and live in IL (now chicago burbs)... I hunt mostly IL put and takes and public ground... and am happy so far with my success there...

I have a 2 yr old GSP that I trained to behave. Great nose. Excellent hunting drive. Behaves well. but will only stand on a dead bird when shot. Retrieves toys, balls etc well but not dead birds.. Just finds them and stands on them.. Still working on it..

Hope to make a trip to SD or Nebraska soon..

Bri

[UplandHntr]

where in the burbs are you?
Im in Spring Grove about a mile from COL State Park. Makes it very convenient.
I hunt with 2 Goldens.
Welcome aboard!

[RiverBluff]

Hello I am from Sutter, Illinois north of Quincy, IL about 30 minutes!

I hunt and raise German Shorthairs. We hunt alot of wild quail and get a few wild pheasants in certain areas where we know to hunt them at or I just go to a preserve and pay to hunt some! We got several preserves around the area to choose from so up can mix it up! So far this year we found one wild rooster while out hunting for both quail and pheasants I wish we could get more pheasants around here or coming back I know our quail numbers are growing forsure! I live close to southeast Iowa there are a few birds over there but you got to go north and west more to find good hunting!

[martydavis]

Hey Marty, I'll be hunting Sand Ridge for the first time in a couple of weeks. Any tips?

If you have a good dog then that is half the battle. For the first hour at Sand Ridge all of the areas are pretty much the same. If you can get some idea where they let the birds out in that particular area they will be near there. After the first barage the birds could be just about anywhere and then it becomes a true hunt. My personal preference, I like the main corridor - areas 1, 2, 7 and 8 - to start. After that I'll go just about anywhere to hunt me up a bird. I've gone home empty handed or with half a limit. They may be pen raised, but they still like to keep trees and cover between them and you. Plus I'm not the greatest shot either.:)

[UplandHntr]

If you have a good dog then that is half the battle. For the first hour at Sand Ridge all of the areas are pretty much the same. If you can get some idea where they let the birds out in that particular area they will be near there. After the first barage the birds could be just about anywhere and then it becomes a true hunt. My personal preference, I like the main corridor - areas 1, 2, 7 and 8 - to start. After that I'll go just about anywhere to hunt me up a bird. I've gone home empty handed or with half a limit. They may be pen raised, but they still like to keep trees and cover between them and you. Plus I'm not the greatest shot either.:)

This is very similar to the Chain o Lakes where I normally hunt

[UplandBri]

Hunted Sand Ridge for the first time. This was a tough hunt on the dog. Lots of thorns and brambles. My shorthair has a very hard nose but her nose and undercarriage were red by 2:30 when our party of three shooters and my GSP checked in 3 hens and 2 roosters. We missed one (very blessed) hen.. Looked for it for 45 minutes and couldn't find that darn thing. We were dissapointed because it looked very fat.. Birds were in the trees and running... running.. running..

Teach a kid to hunt.

Bri

[J Lester]

Hey all I'm Jeff I live in Moline area. Used to hunt upland for many years and it started to get hard to find land. I lost my GSP about 8yrs. ago starting to get the itch to get another. I have two boys and we fish alot and the 20yr. old has hunted with me the 11yr. old has not yet but is real eager to go. I think I'll take him next year with out a gun to see if he really likes it than take him to the hunters course. hope you all had a good and safe year for hunting. I've never traveled out of state to hunt but what I'm reading it sounds great!

[Fez-ant]

Hey guys. Checking in from the Bloomington area. I do alot of hunting out of state. mainly South Dakota and Kansas. I am excited to find this forum. I just had a brand new baby girl a few days ago and I am hoping to teach her to hunt as soon as she is old enough!

[1pheas4]

Hey guys. Checking in from the Bloomington area. I do alot of hunting out of state. mainly South Dakota and Kansas. I am excited to find this forum. I just had a brand new baby girl a few days ago and I am hoping to teach her to hunt as soon as she is old enough!



Welcome to the site Fez:)

Congrats on your baby girl:thumbsup: --1pheas4

[UplandHntr]

welcome :thumbsup:
congrats :thumbsup:
Got pups? :thumbsup:

[purcel41]

Hey guys, I am from the Plainfield area and just checking in. I hunt DNR also and am always looking to expand. I have a six mo. GSP and have been working with him. Looking forward to this coming year.

[UplandHntr]

Hey guys, I am from the Plainfield area and just checking in. I hunt DNR also and am always looking to expand. I have a six mo. GSP and have been working with him. Looking forward to this coming year.

I used to live at 55 and 126 in Lakewood Falls.
Welcome aboard!

[Fez-ant]

welcome :thumbsup:
congrats :thumbsup:
Got pups? :thumbsup:

No puppy yet. I am in hoping to get a Pudelpointer this spring. I dpo have access to 2 fine brittanys that my father owns however.

Hey guys, I am from the Plainfield area and just checking in. I hunt DNR also and am always looking to expand. I have a six mo. GSP and have been working with him. Looking forward to this coming year.

First hunting dog my family ever had was GSP. I loved that dog a fine hunter and a great companion.

[Mr Hyde]

No puppy yet. I am in hoping to get a Pudelpointer this spring.

Hey Fez-ant welcome to the site, can I ask where are you getting the Pudelpointer ??

[Fez-ant]

Hey Fez-ant welcome to the site, can I ask where are you getting the Pudelpointer ??

I have been talking to Uncle Buck and I am pretty impressed with Cedarwoods kennel. I see you are from the quad cities. I know that their is a breeder in Davenport but I haven't looked into him yet.

[1pheas4]

Hey guys, I am from the Plainfield area and just checking in. I hunt DNR also and am always looking to expand. I have a six mo. GSP and have been working with him. Looking forward to this coming year.


Welcome aboard purcel41:thumbsup: Speaking of DNR areas I listed a thread on the "illinois" forum on some new DNR sites for next season. Not sure if there in your area or not but check them out.:) --1pheas4

[Fez-ant]

Welcome aboard purcel41:thumbsup: Speaking of DNR areas I listed a thread on the "illinois" forum on some new DNR sites for next season. Not sure if there in your area or not but check them out.:) --1pheas4

I am just getting into hunting the DNR areas and will be doing it more next season. It is just damn hard around Bloomington to find any ground to lease. When I was a kid we leased 100's of acres in Mclean county to hunt and none of it is still there. :(

[Bird-N-Here]

I live right outside of Hampshire IL... I've hunted all my life but just recently took up Bird hunting... For the last 2 seasons I've hunted without a dog and enjoyed it a ton but I still envied the hunters with dogs... Soo about a month ago I found the GSP I had been looking for and purchased him... I have no experience training dogs but have been working hard to perfect it... I'll be honest I wouldnt recommend getting a winter litter...It's been soo tough keeping him interested in training because he's freezing to death... I've taken him to a bunch of forest preserves in hopes to introduce him to wildlife but he doesn't really want to get off the beaten path... If anyone has suggestions or experience with training gun dogs in subzero weather get in touch with me...I'll buy you a coffee and pick your brain... I'm Also hoping to work him with other experienced dogs as well sooo if anyone wants to help with that I'm pretty much open on the weekends... Heres some pictures of the Hound....

[1pheas4]

I live right outside of Hampshire IL... I've hunted all my life but just recently took up Bird hunting... I've taken him to a bunch of forest preserves in hopes to introduce him to wildlife but he doesn't really want to get off the beaten path... If anyone has suggestions or experience with training gun dogs in subzero weather get in touch with me...I'll buy you a coffee and pick your brain... I'm Also hoping to work him with other experienced dogs as well sooo if anyone wants to help with that I'm pretty much open on the weekends... Heres some pictures of the Hound....


Nice pup you have there.:) I'd lay back a bit on working him for now. Springs around the corrner. Start workin' him in a field with nice short grass and work your way up from there. As you know there's 2 ft of snow out there right now.:eek: That's no good for starting a pup.

Aslo, if you need them, I have some pheasnat tails, wings, pelts etc. Your not far from my place. If you want some PM me and I'll give them to you. Oh yeah and welcome to the site.:cheers: --1pheas4

[Fez-ant]

Hey Bird,
Holding off on training til spring wont hurt him. He looks great! I love the look of a GSP.

[Bird-N-Here]

Thanks for the compliments guys... Its an import from germany with amazing bloodlines... 1pheas..I have a bunch of grouse wings from last season and that will hold me till my pheasant coop is finished... I spoke to Macgraws in dundee and they'll sell adult pheasants for 10 a piece.... As for the winter...Today was actually a great day to go out and enjoy the woods... We went up to marengo ridge forest preserve and had a nice work out.... On colder days I clear all the furniture and work him inside... Anyone with a pointer and would like to help train with me.. let me know...

[1pheas4]

Thanks for the compliments guys... Its an import from germany with amazing bloodlines... 1pheas..I have a bunch of grouse wings from last season and that will hold me till my pheasant coop is finished... I spoke to Macgraws in dundee and they'll sell adult pheasants for 10 a piece.... As for the winter...Today was actually a great day to go out and enjoy the woods... We went up to marengo ridge forest preserve and had a nice work out.... On colder days I clear all the furniture and work him inside... Anyone with a pointer and would like to help train with me.. let me know...

Snows melted and things are looking up for working him outside now. I'd love to work with you on the training front, but I'm a lab guy.:) I might mess up your pointer:D:D

I was at Macgraws Friday to pick up Hungarian partridge for taxidermy purposes. Hun's may be great for training your pup. Nice and small.

I don't know if you heard but their closing up shop over there as far as raising pheasants go. Grain costs are killing them:eek: Sad to see. They've been raising birds forever and a day.:( 1pheas4

[Bird-N-Here]

Sounds good 1pheas we'll have to cordinate a good day sometime in march.... I'll be in contact soon... And that totally sucks about macgraw's... I remember going there as a kid for my school field trips!!! I'm sure they'll still have their hunt club and nature preserve but I'll sure miss driving by and seeing their birds in the flight pins... :(

[1pheas4]

And that totally sucks about macgraw's... I remember going there as a kid for my school field trips!!! I'm sure they'll still have their hunt club and nature preserve but I'll sure miss driving by and seeing their birds in the flight pins... :(

I know what your saying BirdNHere:).....some time back in the 60's my dad once road his bike from Roselle IL to Max's to look at the birds!!!:eek:

From what I've heard they're keeping everything else going including the club. They're going to be sub-con birds.

Anyway, yes let's keep in touch about working the dog. You are more than free to use what's in my back yard too. Pond, small sections of grass, trees, open areas too.:)

Talk to you soon and maybe see you at our PF banquet next Friday (March 4th)? --1pheas4

[UplandHntr]

you mean NEXT Friday as in a week from tomorrow right?

Whats this MacGraws?? Info pls

[1pheas4]

you mean NEXT Friday as in a week from tomorrow right? Whats this MacGraws?? Info pls



Oops:o.....Thanks for catching that. Made the edit. (Next Friday the 4th):)

MaxMcgraw is a game farm/not for profit wildlife/habitat org. out of Dundee IL. There accross the street from Gats Guns off route 25. I guess with feed costs being were they are at now it's not worth raising birds anymore.

--1pheas4

[purcel41]

Just saw your post. I am from Elwood and just curious where you hunt? Is it private land or public? I have a 12mo. GSP and always looking for new hunting partners.

[wihoyt]

Hi there im new here and I live in Machesney park IL I just got my own Britt and Im looking from somewhere nearby to hunt her. So if anyone can point me in the right direction as to where is a field to hunt please pm me

[UplandHntr]

Welcome to the site! Are you open to hunting in one of the states many put and take areas or hunt clubs or are you looking for wild birds only?

Looking forward to hearing hunting stories from you through out the ipcoming season!

[wihoyt]

Im interested in state public put and take land.

[wihoyt]

We are finally getting the basics down and now its time to introduce her to some small bought birds if you know someone in my area that sells them for training that would help lots

[purcel41]

I booked a few days at Silver Springs in Yorkville this year and was curious to see if anyone has hunted there before? How is it and are there any areas I should try to get over others? Any info would help thanks.

[Hockeybob]

I have hunted SS for many years. I really enjoy it. Area 1 is the largest Area and has three parking lots A (Office), B and C. Early in the season I would say B or C are a good choice as the cover is in more of strips. The office lot is one very large field and the cover can be up to your head until a few frosts and hunters can knock it down. The dogs have trouble fighting through it. There are 2 other areas across the river. I would go there as a last resort. Missed birds easily fly off the property and are gone. There is also a 2 lane paved road that divides the areas and unfortunately dogs have been hit.
Get there early to check in. All good areas go quickly. They use a number system. When you arrive walk into the office and numbers will be hanging on the door. This is to secure your place in line. Good Luck. My first day is Sunday 10/16.

Bob

[purcel41]

Thank, I will get there early and grab a number. My first day is 10/28. I might try to grab a day earlier as well. Looking to get the dog under some birds this year as early as possible.

[UplandHntr]

Thank, I will get there early and grab a number. My first day is 10/28. I might try to grab a day earlier as well. Looking to get the dog under some birds this year as early as possible.

I moved out of Lakewood Falls 6 years ago - right at 55 and 126. I used to hit Des Plaines CA quite a bit. I hated every minute of it from the second I pulled in to the parking area. Ive heard good things about Silver Springs. I have friends that still go there.
Im now a mile from Chain o Lakes State Park. Nicest people in the world.

[purcel41]

Des Plains workers can make it difficult to enjoy that's for sure. I have not hunted there in a few years so maybe things have changed for the better. I will be out there a few times this year and we will see.

[chiefer]

i am hunting des plaines nov 5th. I'm in joliet and hav a 16 month brittany. We usually hunt bloomington and kewanee state parks and are trying kankakee this yr. Let me know when you can hunt and try to meet up..

[purcel41]

Sounds good. I will check my schedule for November 5th. I have a day a silver springs October 28th. I have a young GSP that I have been working with and can't wait to see how he is.

[chiefer]

i tried to get silver springs, but its a t miller location i think and i couldnt get in. I am off wkends and we hunt all the state parks locations. they are pretty easy to get in to. Let me know when your available and we can put something together. I bowhunt so i can work around that...

[kenobi_fan]

New member from Central Illinois here. Around the Pontiac area. Just got a new GSP and I'm looking for some ground to hunt. I have one good spot, but I'd love to have a couple more. If you're looking for a hunting buddy with a dog in Livingston county and you have access to some ground send me a PM.

[morrismike]

I've never had an issue with burrs out there... Then again, my dog is short coated. Don't remember needing to pick any off of my clothes, either. Maybe they listened to their customers? What a novel business plan!

My chessie has a lot of hair and doesn't get burrs at that place.