What's the latest report from the field?

[chadsbritt]

Well, how has everyone been making out lately? How are the crops coming? I was unable to get out this past weekend, but am going to get back in the saddle on Sunday.

[engpointerman]

Corn is coming out in a hurry now. I have been out only couple of times in the last week and have done pretty well.

[chadsbritt]

The corn is really coming out! I was out yesterday and we managed to get three roosters. We should have had a couple more, but you know how that goes. We saw good numbers, both on private and walk-in. The wind really beat us up and didn't seem to blow under 20mph all day long. I'm glad I didn't stick around to watch the Bronco game.

[Scooter]

Chad, where did you end up going, by Brush or out by Holyoke?

[chadsbritt]

Chad, where did you end up going, by Brush or out by Holyoke?

I went out to Holyoke. There were birds both North and South of town.

I hope this helps.

[winchester21]

A best friend from Elementary and I managed to get out last Friday and I am elated to say that we limited out by noon! It was a perfect morning and I couldn't believe the birds we saw. I borrowed my girlfriend's brother's 1 year old Golden Retriever that had never stepped foot in a field before. He behaved well (read: didn't run away) and by the third or fourth bird he actually figured out what was going on! We had a couple winged birds that he chased down which was a blast to watch!

[chadsbritt]

A best friend from Elementary and I managed to get out last Friday and I am elated to say that we limited out by noon! It was a perfect morning and I couldn't believe the birds we saw. I borrowed my girlfriend's brother's 1 year old Golden Retriever that had never stepped foot in a field before. He behaved well (read: didn't run away) and by the third or fourth bird he actually figured out what was going on! We had a couple winged birds that he chased down which was a blast to watch!

Wichester21, Sounds like you had a great hunt. The pictures are great. I was dying to get out last weekend, but just couldn't make it happen. I'm making my first ever trip to Kansas this weekend; hopefully we get into the birds.

Did you hunt private or walk-in? What was the general area were you were hunting?

[winchester21]

Hey Chad- My name is Bridger- These birds were taken north of Yuma on a mix of private and walk-in. I knocked on a couple doors and had no problem getting permission.
That's awesome you're making it out to Kansas. I would love to hear how it goes and where you're headed because I'm trying to put together a trip out there myself.

[chadsbritt]

Bridger,

Thanks for the information. I've had good luck this year around Holyoke.

I will definitely report the results of our kansas trip back to you. We are going to start in Colby, and probably work our way east from there. I talked to a guy back there that says the bird population is good, and will hopefully point us in the right direction. I know the further east you go, the more walk-in that is available.

[winchester21]

Yeah those walk-ins north of Holyoke are pretty incredible this year. I haven't seen that much quality habitat in years. I'm really looking forward to some snow out there...it's gonna be good stuff!

[Ringneck]

Will be making my first pheasant hunt in Colorado on the weekend of the 20th. Grew up hunting in Missouri and Kansas and sure am excited to try out Colorado.

I have been watching the forums and getting a good feeling about Holyoke. I printed out the WIHA maps and trying to compare what I'm seeing to your advice on here. Looks to be a lot of grass cover just to the NW of Holyoke in between Paoli and even to the SW. Now I'm not here to steal your spots nor would I ever over-hunt an area but sure would aprreciate any advice that can be given. Would love to get on some birds that first day out.

As well, when you get out to this WIHA land is it just orange vest everywhere or do you have a good chance of not running into anyone.

Once again thank you for any advice you can give and I look forward to sharing my stories with you in the future.

Brian

[cowdog]

I dont hunt wia's but have hunted around yuma for years. Most of the hunters are done by now and I see very few out there after thanksgiving weekend. You should have no problem finding birds out there, Dont be afraid to knock on some doors as permission is easy this time of year. Good luck

[winchester21]

Hey Ringneck- Welcome and glad to hear that you're getting out there! Absolutely DO NOT feel like you're stealing anyone's spots! It's your privilege to hunt too. You'll do very well out north of Holyoke if you're shooting strait. Just look for any areas that are adjacent to either corn or wheat stubble particularly pivot corners (the corners that don't get watered by the circular sprinklers) and any heavy looking cover. Be very quiet when parking and getting out. It goes without saying to not slam your doors ;)

There are not very many Pheasant hunters in Colorado and to be honest we could use some more people out spending money on the WIA programs and in the towns out east. I doubt that you will run into anyone in a field because most hunters don't get into a field if someone else is in it. For the matter, you probably won't even see that many other hunters on the roads. Good luck and have fun.

[Ringneck]

Exactly the kind of information I was looking for and thank you for the quick response. I sure wish it was this weekend because I can barely keep still thinking about going. Been a long time. You guys have a good one and keep in touch.

Brian

[beartooths]

I was out in Holyoke this past week hunting, and i was actually impressed with both the quality of the WIA land, and the amount of birds! i never found an area around holyoke to have more birds than the other, they were all around town! the birds are very cautious now, so like its been said be quiet when you park and are in the field, and you should have no prblem getting in on some birds

[chadsbritt]

I went out and hunted the Holyoke area on Friday and Saturday. 5 roosters and 3 quail. The quail were a nice bonus to say the least. The hunting was a little tougher than last time, and I think the weather hurt us. It was so cold Thursday and Friday that I think the birds were really bunched up. I found some of them, but wasn't able to find the motherload. When it did warm up, I think everything moved into the corn to feed. This was especially true Saturday, when temps warmed up to 50 degrees. I did find one pivot corner Saturday morning that held probably 40 birds. It was on private ground, and the birds didn't cooperate (flushed was too early), but we still managed to get 2 roosters.

Overall I was very pleased with the trip. The bird population still seems strong, but they are definitely wising up. Ringneck, if you have a small group, concentrate on small areas of heavy cover. Like the other guys have said, pivot corners are great, and be sure to be quiet. I usually park my big, loud diesel a few hundred yards down the road. I have found birds in every direction of Holyoke, and have heard Yuma is great as well.

Good luck!

[Ringneck]

Whew this is all great news. I can barely stand the wait. We will not have any dog's with us on our trip but I do have 5 people going. If I can keep everyone quiet enough I think I can put us on birds. With as many people are going we can utilize blockers and see if we can pinch em.

[chadsbritt]

Ringneck,

How did you do this weekend? Hopefully you got into some birds.

[Ringneck]

Just got the gear together. I am heading out tomorrow late morning about 10 to head up. Should be there about 1 so I plan to get a few hours in on Friday and then the big hunt on Saturday. I will keep everyone posted on what we see. From what I can see its supposed to be a cold nasty one Saturday so I'm hoping that will keep the birds tight since I'm not sure if a dog is coming or not.

You getting out this weekend Brit?

[chadsbritt]

Man I wish I was getting out! This cold weather should be perfect. Both me and the dog are going crazy. We were supposed to have a christmas party Saturday, but its been cancelled. Maybe I can sneak out. If not this weekend, next weekend for sure!

[Ringneck]

Britt just PM'd yah. You are more than welcome to give me a buzz if you make it out and join up with us. Sure could use a dog. Either way give me a call sometime or shoot me a message if you want to go.

[HighTailSetters]

I was out Wednesday. The dogs and I had a good hunt.
looks like a good hatch this yr. I would have finished up before 10am but I made some mistakes.Lots of young roosters running around.
This was my first Colorado hunt. I like to jump the stateline as much as possible.

[chadsbritt]

Hightail,

It looks like you got your limit. That is great. I can never seem to shoot my limit.

So how do you think Colorado compares to Kansas? I assume that's where you usually go. I've been wanting to make the trip, but just don't know if its worth the extra time and license cost.

[HighTailSetters]

Hightail,

It looks like you got your limit. That is great. I can never seem to shoot my limit.

So how do you think Colorado compares to Kansas? I assume that's where you usually go. I've been wanting to make the trip, but just don't know if its worth the extra time and license cost.

ChadsBritts,
Co. doesn't compare to Ks.-Nebr.-S.D.-or N.D. but if thats all we have, we make the best of it. This yr. it looks like a good hatch in Co. but time will tell.
What we all need to do is join P.F. and work on projects like tree planting etc. to help the birds. One of the biggest problems we have ihere in Co.is too many people and not enough WIA. Thats one of the reasons I don't hunt much in my state And if I do, I hunt during the week when the birds have had some time to settle down after the army of orange .

[engpointerman]

I only agree with that statement Hightail if all you have to hunt is WIA. If you do have private to hunt I definately belive we are equal to Kansas. But the other states have more species to hunt which is a huge plus.:cheers:

[chadsbritt]

I am all for improving as much habittat as possible and am a member of P.F. I also think the DOW could do a better job, and be more picky when it comes to the ground they enroll in WIA. I wish they would even work on habitat imporvement projects and focus on pheasant habitat a bit more. I would be willing to pay more for the WIA permit if i knew the quality of the land was top notch.

On a side note, I was able to get out yesterday and did pretty good. It was a last minute thing as, our Christmas party I was supposed to go to was cancelled. My buddy and I bagged three birds. We lost 2 cripples which drives me crazy, but sometimes I guess nature prevails over us. So we should have had 5 birds... a darn good day I'd say.

Ringneck, I would have called you, but everything was so last minute I forgot to grab your number. How did you do?

[beartooths]

I will also agree that if DOW would increase the price of the WIA tags and put more effort towards good pheasant habitat things would be much better. Colorado has good potential to be a great pheasant state, and things are slowly increasing each year!
back on the hunting subject it sounds like now that the cold is setting in that hunting is getting a little better, i went out in the early season when it was warm and the birds were so spread out, and it was harder on the dog in the heat.
Chadsbritt- what kind of fields did you find the birds in now, are they starting to group up and get in thicker cover at all?
ill head out once more after the holidays just before the season ends, and hopefully get into the birds more than i did in the early season!
i will say, when i was out in holyoke earlier, i saw a great number of hens so hopefully this next years weather works out and the numbers should be even better, and even the city council guy i spoke with in holyoke said this year was a great hatch, but they had a horrible hail storm that knocked it down and for what ive seen there is still a good number of birds out there!

[chadsbritt]

I saw most of the birds in heavy cover. I usually try to focus on heavy cover anyhow, so it wasn't anything unusual for me. You'll usually find me in pivot corners with dense CRP and shelterbelts, in old overgrown pits, or old abandoned farm yards. Seems if you can find thick cover that hasn't been hunted hard, more times than not you'll find birds. I also look for areas next to available food sources.

How about everyone else? Does anyone ever hunt wheat stubble? I've seen some excellent looking wheat stubble this year, but just haven't taken the tiem to try and hunt it. Does anyone ever have luck in wheat stubble? What about grass and weeds that aren't as dense? I'm sure earlier in the year they hold birds, but what about now? Also, if you hunt different types of cover, what time of day is the best time to hunt? Do you focus on wheat early, late...?

You know, I've only been chasing roosters seriously for a few years now and still have a ton to learn. I've never hunted outside of Colorado, and am doing what seems to be working well for me. I would love to hear what everyone else does and where they find concentrations of birds.

Good Luck!

[beartooths]

i am fairly new to pheasant hunting as well, but i used to work for the forest service in south dakota, and i payed attention to all the birds which has given me a good head start and begining knowledge. when i was out earlier this year i hiked a few of the wheat stubble fields but really didnt find much unless there were uncut sections around ditches that had higher stubble than normal, but im sure there are still some birds in it because i noticed a lot of hunters driving past the stubble fields, which usually means the birds will wise up and move in there. when i found birds in the early season they were almost all in the CRP, i hiked a few shelter belts and some old farmsteads and surprisingly didnt find any birds. but when i would just hike the open fields i found the birds, but they were quiet spread out in the warmer weather. ive got my fingers crossed to really get in on the birds now that its cold, i have heard a few people saying that the pivot corners are hot spots now, as well as any heavy thicker cover!

[cowdog]

anybody in colorado that really wants to hunt some birds let me know. Have dog will travel ( as long as its yuma county) thats where my grounds at............................Just sayin. oh ya your buyin the motel room.

[engpointerman]

You have to stay home cowdog. You have hunted to many days this year. U are kickin my ass.

[raginrooster]

Hello to all,
I have enjoyed reading this forum.
I am new to Colorado. I came here for work. And have had a goal of getting back into pheasant hunting. This year my one year old golden (Cody) and I decided to make it happen.The trips started at Fleming after the opener. Tough day! Next trip was out towards Holyoke and saw lots of birds most were seen near private farmhouses. Flushed some birds in the WIA but besides hens flushing at close range the roosters were flushing to far out. Well next trip was in 40MPH winds north of Yuma.After one or two fields in WIA back to the house could hardly walk in those conditions.
Well I then bought a license online for Nebraska cause some kid at Sportsmans Wharehouse told me Kimball was great. This last Sunday I drove there with high hopes. Didn't see a bird all day. It seemed the CRP that was available had no cover. After lots of driving around finally found a field that looked promising. It had medium high grass,bordered by wind break trees. Some snow on the ground. Saw no bird tracks. All we flushed was two jack rabbits and some big deer way off in the distance.
Well since I have this week off. Yesterday it was back to where I have seen birds. Holyoke was the plan. On the way out the wind was blowing the truck. I though not another bad weather day. Well upon getting to our destination. It was bitter cold and probably blowing 20 plus MPH. We walked in an area that had a creek bottom that afforded some shelter. After a while I was complacent and Cody was over buy some brush when all of a sudden birds started flushing out of this one brush area. Four of five hens burst out than one rooster. I was able to hit him and bring him down. I must have not pumped the next shell in because one more rooster came out and was through the trees before I could get a shot off.
After our success we spent a lot of time warming in the truck cleaning the Ice from codys paws and then walking some more ditchline. One more rooster up within range and missed!.
Bird tracks were all over!
Spent the rest of the afternoon looking for new WIA areas. But everytime driving down the road near farmhouses I saw huge number of birds. I could not believe all the birds we saw. Mostly near wind break trees.

Well Im headed back out tomorrow. Back to the same area. This time im doing some door knocking looking for private land. Had the taste of success and ready for more!

[Ringneck]

We hunted last Friday and Saturday. Flushed 10 hens or so but no roosters. The WIA land is lacking heavy cover. We started out hunting the WIA land to the SW of Holyoke and then moved up HWY 23 and hunted some pivot corners. Definetly saw lots of bird tracks and human tracks as well. I had 6 guys with me and was hesitant to knock on doors with so many of us.

Next time I go I will not have an army with me and will be more inclined to start knocking on doors. I talked to a local on the way out of town Saturday and he reassured me the locals are very friendly with hunters and for the most part will allow you to hunt their land. We saw about 4 roosters fly onto private land that a hunter flushed off of WIA. That land has been hunted so many times that the birds are really skittish for sure. It was my first time hunting birds in Colorado so definetly a learning experienice. Even though we didn't bag any it was great to get out.

If anyone is going up before end of season and has room for one more please let me know.

[chadsbritt]

Ringneck,

Yeah, I think landowners would be more hesitant with a large group of guys. Believe it or not, I've never knocked on someones door. The private land I hunt are places of people I know or firends of friends. I guess I've been to bashful to knock on doors. I guess more than anything, I don't want to be a pain in the butt.

I would suggest trying to hunt the walk in different than everyone else is. For example, try hunting it from the opposite direction. If you do something the birds aren't expecting, you may be able to get onto them before they realize whats going on. They sure are smart this time of year.

At least you're seeing hens. They always keep me interested. The worst is when you go out and don't see a thing.

RaginRooster,

Welcome aboard. Glad to hear you're getting into birds. Man I wish I could get out there in the next couple of days. My brittany gets snow balls built up in his paws as well. I would suggest trimming the hair between his pads. Its really seems to help with both the stickers and the snow. Labs don't seem to have much of an issue, but the longer haired dogs sure do. Also I would suggest carrying a leatherman type tool with you at all times. Believe it or not, there is a lot of cactus around Holyoke. I've had to pull them out of my dogs paws on multiple occasions this year. WIthout the leatherman, I would have been up a creek.

[cowdog]

You have to stay home cowdog. You have hunted to many days this year. U are kickin my ass.

Not nearly as many this year so far as last but It aint over yet. Will be back out next weekend. I found a couple new honey holes that need cleaned out.

[raginrooster]

Chadsbritt thanks for the advice.
Since there is still snow on the ground in NE Colorado my wife and I just trimmed Codys pads. I will also start carrying my leatherman tomorrow as we will be back out there tomorrow. The weather outlook is pretty good through the weekend.
Am trying the sour cream pheasant tonight off this post.Will let everyone know if it is a hit or not. Any favorite recipes would be appreciated.
Thanks,

[HighTailSetters]

Ringneck,

Yeah, I think landowners would be more hesitant with a large group of guys. Believe it or not, I've never knocked on someones door. The private land I hunt are places of people I know or firends of friends. I guess I've been to bashful to knock on doors. I guess more than anything, I don't want to be a pain in the butt.

I would suggest trying to hunt the walk in different than everyone else is. For example, try hunting it from the opposite direction. If you do something the birds aren't expecting, you may be able to get onto them before they realize whats going on. They sure are smart this time of year.

At least you're seeing hens. They always keep me interested. The worst is when you go out and don't see a thing.

RaginRooster,

Welcome aboard. Glad to hear you're getting into birds. Man I wish I could get out there in the next couple of days. My brittany gets snow balls built up in his paws as well. I would suggest trimming the hair between his pads. Its really seems to help with both the stickers and the snow. Labs don't seem to have much of an issue, but the longer haired dogs sure do. Also I would suggest carrying a leatherman type tool with you at all times. Believe it or not, there is a lot of cactus around Holyoke. I've had to pull them out of my dogs paws on multiple occasions this year. WIthout the leatherman, I would have been up a creek.

Good point chad, no need to ask to go on private grounds, you just need to be smart about going into a WIA field with your dogs. Also,

I use cooking oil (pam) it works great along with a hair trim.

[Ringneck]

Thanks for the good advice. Since it was my first time up there it was hard to tell which directions most hunters enter the fields as most of them have several entry points. As I become more familiar with the area those skills should improve. As for hunting private land I am definetly not bashful about asking for permission but more respectfull of the situation. I will really put more effort into acquiring permission this spring and offer to assist with any duties around the farm that may be needed. Growing up hunting in MO and KS I never had a problem getting access being kind and courteous.

I truely can't wait for next year so I can start heading back to some honey holes I have in Great Bend, KS, but at the same time CO has some wonderful habitat and I look forward to harvesting some birds right here at home and meeting some good people along the way.

As always thank you all for the sound advice and I look forward to sharing more stories. Everyone have a good Christmas and maybe I will see you out soon.

Brian

[raginrooster]

Made the long drive early from Loveland out east towards Holyoke. At 8:30 am was knocking on a farmers door. I was polite and courteous and he responded by letting me hunt some of his land for the day. He also pointed to a neighbor whom had a draw a 1/2 mile long and gave me the number of someone else whom had a whole section of wheat,corn stubble and a draw with trees as well.
I handed out a CO fish and game form that asked landowners for persmission to hunt. It has a code of ethics on it as well as a place for your vehicle description and personal info. Nice little form and well thought out.
Cody and I hunted the neighbors draw after receiving permission. After parking a ways off we saw some birds run from the stubble to the draw. Down in the draw we hit one rooster. The others seemed to scatter.
During the day we saw lots of birds most getting up out of range.
We hunted one tall grass fields where I had a rooster get up right at my feet. I could have tapped him with a stick. I let him get out a ways and proceeded to not even ruffle a feather. I had to laugh.
One the last draw we hunted it looked like a pheasant freeway with all the tracks. We worked that whole draw and nothing. As we were coming out we sidetracked to a short grass field off to the side. Birds started getting up all over out of range. One rooster I was able to shoot at I hit and he went down. We looked for that bird for twenty minutes and never did find him. We must have winged him and he ran after going down.

All and all a great day except for losing that last bird
The pheasant and sour cream recipe from this post is a hit. We used it over noodles with some parmesan cheese.

Merry Xmas to all. Hope you get your pheasant hunting goodies.

A few more days to hunt this week before the grind starts again on monday!

[chadsbritt]

It sounds like your haveing a lot of fun Raginrooster. It also sounds like you've tapped into a good resource out east. I love seeing large flushes, even if you're out of range. Although there's nothing like it when you are in range!

Well Merry Christmas everyone! Good luck to all of those that venture out this weekend. Not sure if I can make it out, but I'm sure going to try.

[HighTailSetters]

As long as I'm on the top Big BoyCowdog I'll buy the room ! :D :eek:

[HighTailSetters]

anybody in colorado that really wants to hunt some birds let me know. Have dog will travel ( as long as its yuma county) thats where my grounds at............................Just sayin. oh ya your buyin the motel room.

I get the top !

[cowdog]

I was talkin huntin and you gotta go all broke back mountain on me :eek:

[engpointerman]

Thats funny right there I dont care who u are

[Ringneck]

Anyone getting out over the New Years weekend. I got a 4 day weekend and would love to get out but no one to go with. If anyone has room for one more give me a shout.

Brian

[raginrooster]

Drove to the Amherst area to hunt both Sat and Sun. Spent some time hunting out of Venango,Nebraska as well.
Saturday two roosters bit the dust. Sunday shot at four birds. Knocked one down,which we couldn't find. Will spend the off season visting the trap range to increase my success. Found most of the birds near feed. The two I cleaned had wheat and corn in there craws.
I have tried to approach the hunting areas in a non traditional manner.
I would encourage knocking on a few doors to increase your success by hunting private land. I know the WIA gets pounded. Most people will give permission with some politeness and courtesy.Nebraska closes Jan 31. You can by a license online and print off your printer.
Will try to hunt the pay for bird areas offseason to keep the dog and me tuned up.
Good luck!

[HighTailSetters]

Cowdog ,are the number still good up in Yuma? Are they huntable birds or are they just running on you?
I just may try Colorado again for kicks and visit friends out that way.

E-Man are you still feeding them birds next to your house? Are you getting out or are you just turning into an old farmer that won't let anyone shoot your pet birds? I have a new SxS that would take care of all them parrots you have running around chitting on everything.:thumbsup:


Dan
HTS

[engpointerman]

Still just feedin them.

[cowdog]

Found a little bit of everything this weekend. Some wild flushers, some runners and some you damn near had to kick to get them up.Mostly holding pretty tight.
I didnt do very well, Got food poisoning and spent most of the weekend in the camper. Theres still alot of "huntable" birds, somebody go get em before the winter does.
Ill be back before its over.

[chadsbritt]

I made it out this weekend as well. The hunting was decent. A friend of mine invited me to go with him and we hunted with a big group. We bagged 4 roosters and 2 quail, all in the morning. The wind blew all day, which made for some cold faces.

One thing I did notice; hunters everywhere. I haven't seen that many hunters out in who knows how long. I wonder if people have been reading this website and decided the reports were good enough to give it a go. Or maybe it was just the long weekend everyone had. What ever the case, I couldn't believe the number of hunters I saw. It made me wonder how many of the walk in areas had already been walked. Maybe thats why we weren't seeing many birds.

[cowdog]

I saw alot of hunters too. The ones I talked to said it was the long weekend that got them out. Its good to see as I believe that more hunters are good for the hunting future in Colorado.
I dont hunt wia but I do notice when I drive by them that there are hunters walking through right after another group left. This make me think that someone would come up with some kind of log book at each area so you would know when you got out of the truck if it was just covered....Just a thought

[chadsbritt]

I saw alot of hunters too. The ones I talked to said it was the long weekend that got them out. Its good to see as I believe that more hunters are good for the hunting future in Colorado.
I dont hunt wia but I do notice when I drive by them that there are hunters walking through right after another group left. This make me think that someone would come up with some kind of log book at each area so you would know when you got out of the truck if it was just covered....Just a thought

My friends and I were talking about the same thing. Maybe a calender with a magnet on the signs. If you hunt an area, just put the magnet on that date. Then everyone will know the last time the area was hunted.

[cowdog]

I think It would be important to know what time of day they were in there as the fields I hunt refill and can be hit at least 3 times a day. also with big fields how many hunters and did they have dogs maybe even what part they covered as some of the wia I see cover 1/4 section and up of grass. This would have to be some kind of grass root effort and could easily be done with word of mouth I would think.

[Ringneck]

I will be going to Brush this Friday to poke around. Will only be me and one other guy so will start out in WIA but will be knocking on some doors that morning. Will keep everyone posted. Looks to be some good heavy cover up there so I hope we can get on some birds. Will keep everyone posted on what we see.

Im really excited for a hunt I'm going on in Great Bend, KS the 3rd week of January all on private land. Gotta get me a rooster before end of season.

Brian

[HighTailSetters]

I think the only reason you guy's are seeing a bunch of people (Not hunters)
is the weather. Wait until it snows and get's cold in the plains the they will all go away.

Another thing ,that is killing us her in Colorado is all the people moving in to our state.
I'm sure ,Ks.,Nebr.,Ut,N.M., Okla., S.D. hate us Greenies as much as we hate the new people moving into our state.
I'm just holding on to a job until I'm 55 then I'm gone, out of Colorado!
It's just not what it used to be back in the good old day.
I hope I'm not followed.;)

[kansasbrittany]

I will be going to Brush this Friday to poke around. Will only be me and one other guy so will start out in WIA but will be knocking on some doors that morning. Will keep everyone posted. Looks to be some good heavy cover up there so I hope we can get on some birds. Will keep everyone posted on what we see.

Im really excited for a hunt I'm going on in Great Bend, KS the 3rd week of January all on private land. Gotta get me a rooster before end of season.

Brian

You shouldn't have a problem getting your one rooster before the end of the season if you're hunting private land around Great Bend. There were still decent numbers of pheasants (lots more hens than roosters, but still plenty of roosters) on the WIHA in Pawnee county last weekend, but it was too warm to get close to very many of them. Enjoy the hunt!

[kansasbrittany]

I think the only reason you guy's are seeing a bunch of people (Not hunters)
is the weather. Wait until it snows and get's cold in the plains the they will all go away.

Another thing ,that is killing us her in Colorado is all the people moving in to our state.
I'm sure ,Ks.,Nebr.,Ut,N.M., Okla., S.D. hate us Greenies as much as we hate the new people moving into our state.
I'm just holding on to a job until I'm 55 then I'm gone, out of Colorado!
It's just not what it used to be back in the good old day.
I hope I'm not followed.;)

Sorry to hear of so many moving into your state.....better yours than mine though! I'm afraid more and more people are going to be moving to the breadbasket, because people won't be able to stop buying American food. This is a topic for another forum, but I couldn't help but comment on your comments. I'm seeing KS fill up w/ people. I am part of the hiring process where I work and we're seeing so many applicants from the east coast and Michigan, even California....people coming from everywhere looking for a job. It wasn't like that 3 years ago. I want to find a job in W KS. I don't think the average American is tough enough to live out there, so I'm hoping it won't fill up with hoards of city folks from the east coast. If nothing else, I'll move to ND.....that place will never fill up with people.....cold as hell + very few hours of sunlight in the winter time = very few inhabitants!!!

[Ringneck]

Went up to Brush on Friday. My buddy got one rooster and I did not have any flush by me but I was glad to see somone got one. We did have 3 roosters walk right in front of my car parked on a CR but they walked into private land where only a abandoned house was so could not ask permission. Brush did have some nice habitat though and its close.

Saturday we started out in Kit Carson around Stratton and I have to tell you that had to be the worst habitat I have ever seen. I would love to talk to the person qualifying the WIA land. I mean half of the WIA fields are dirt.. no grass just freaking dirt! Some other complaints I have about the WIA is yes the field may have some shin high grasses on them but their needs to be food sources for the birds. I can't give you exact numbers but more times than not you will come across a field with some grasses on it but nothing else around. Whats the point of paying these land owners whatever fee it is to make their land WIA if it isn't going to hold birds? Now I'm all about supporting the cause but I do not like seeing our money wasted on unhabitable land. I could plant tall grasses in my backyard but that doesn't mean pheasant's are going to come flocking. Now if my neighbor had a bean field or some corn planted then maybe.

Since we didn't see anything in Kit Carson we drove up to Joe's (Yuma County) and that was wonderful looking habitat. Lots of corn fields that hadn't been plowed to dirt but we only saw one rooster flush about 100 yards off. Wasn't to mad because it was cold with a constant 40mph wind. It was going to be a tough day regardless of where we were with the wind. I am going to go next weekend and see if I can find anything as I do not like to give up.

[M. R. Byrd]

. I want to find a job in W KS. I don't think the average American is tough enough to live out there, so I'm hoping it won't fill up with hoards of city folks from the east coast.

There are jobs in Western Kansas, businesses and houses for sale too, including mine, soon I hope. Come on out, we are another country. :)

[explorer]

Went up to Brush on Friday. My buddy got one rooster and I did not have any flush by me but I was glad to see somone got one. We did have 3 roosters walk right in front of my car parked on a CR but they walked into private land where only a abandoned house was so could not ask permission. Brush did have some nice habitat though and its close.

Saturday we started out in Kit Carson around Stratton and I have to tell you that had to be the worst habitat I have ever seen. I would love to talk to the person qualifying the WIA land. I mean half of the WIA fields are dirt.. no grass just freaking dirt! Some other complaints I have about the WIA is yes the field may have some shin high grasses on them but their needs to be food sources for the birds. I can't give you exact numbers but more times than not you will come across a field with some grasses on it but nothing else around. Whats the point of paying these land owners whatever fee it is to make their land WIA if it isn't going to hold birds? Now I'm all about supporting the cause but I do not like seeing our money wasted on unhabitable land. I could plant tall grasses in my backyard but that doesn't mean pheasant's are going to come flocking. Now if my neighbor had a bean field or some corn planted then maybe.

Since we didn't see anything in Kit Carson we drove up to Joe's (Yuma County) and that was wonderful looking habitat. Lots of corn fields that hadn't been plowed to dirt but we only saw one rooster flush about 100 yards off. Wasn't to mad because it was cold with a constant 40mph wind. It was going to be a tough day regardless of where we were with the wind. I am going to go next weekend and see if I can find anything as I do not like to give up.

Anyone hear how the birds are in Holyoke this time of year?? Heading out this weekend sure would like some advise, thanks.

[winchester21]

Two years ago there used to be some really good hunting around Holyoke but now all the birds are gone. ;) Not sure what happened.

[rwalker]

Two years ago there used to be some really good hunting around Holyoke but now all the birds are gone. ;) Not sure what happened.

Thay moved to Longmont, much better cover and lots of food.

[explorer]

Where about in Longmont. Not familiar with the area at all.

[winchester21]

There's a few good places to chase tail in Longtucky. Only veteran UP members are privileged to know of their locale, however. Patience young grasshopper.

Of course, money talks....

[jmac]

There's a few good places to chase tail in Longtucky. Only veteran UP members are privileged to know of their locale, however. Patience young grasshopper.

Of course, money talks....

W21, That's is funny. The holyoke and venago area is better than it's been in 20 Years. :)

[explorer]

I'll let you know how I fair, oh wise one of the plains!

[chadsbritt]

Winchester, I heard La Porte has been producing as well. We should head up there sometime. :cheers:

How in the heck did this thread from 2008 get resurected?

[winchester21]

I'm game buddy!
I tried to finally meet up with you at the Sportsman's Show but apparently I just missed you. Shucks!

[winchester21]

I think you hold the record for creating the thread with the most views. We gotta keep it going now!

[chadsbritt]

I'm game buddy!
I tried to finally meet up with you at the Sportsman's Show but apparently I just missed you. Shucks!

I must have stepped away from the booth for a few minutes. I was there until the place closed down. Maybe we can hook up some time soon.

Holey crap! Over 5600 views; that is a lot.

[explorer]

I was there till the bitter end and then some!