Checking in ...

[nstric]

First time checking in this season. How’s everyone doing so far? Seeing good numbers? How much corn is still in where you hunt? How are you shooting?

My buddy and I have been out four times so far, taking two of our kids on our last outing. We’ve seen good rooster counts, but I’d say fewer hens have been noted compaired to years passed. I’m hoping that’s circumstantial and not indicative of numbers.

Our now older dogs (9 years old) are a bit slower, but still finding birds. Windy and dry conditions have limited really tight sitting roosters, the exception being Opening Day.

My buddy is carrying me on his back, already up nine roosters on me. He’s been Johnny on the Spot, and as always, shooting well. I’ve hit more than I’ve missed, but opportunities have been more limited than normal as of late. That tide will turn in time.

Still a lot of corn in south of highway 20, and not surpringly we’re seeing more birds north of that line.

We plan to get back out on Monday, after family obligations this weekend.

Unrelated, how ‘bout our Hawks!?! Currently up 31-17 in OSU!!!

[IA at heart]

Nate - Glad to see you checking in with the crew. This site has slowed down dramatically, still have never seen anything from Kbell either.

I cant believe Gunner is 9 already. What's that old saying.....the only problem with a dog is they don't live long enough. I have not been out yet but will probably get out a day or two this week. I always like to let the first two weekends pass by before I get out there. I have heard decent reports in south central with birds being taken. One of my new neighbors went out yesterday and said he hunted hard all day with a dog in Atlantic and did not see a single bird. The most common theme I have heard is way too much corn in for the first week or so. That shall pass quickly though.

Gunner is probably a lot like me; still loves to get out there and chase the birds but probably cant swing a full day of hard hunting anymore. My damn groin bothers me after about 2 or 3 hours of walking, especially in the tall grass or extra deep snow. But, I just take my time. If it works out, we will have to get our annual couple hour walk in some time later in the season. Being right in the hood now, it makes it that much easier. Hope all is well with you and the family!

PS, Oh yea, your Hawks. Good lord, what got into those boys? That was one heck of a performance!

[Awesomeness]

Nate - Glad to see you checking in with the crew. This site has slowed down dramatically, still have never seen anything from Kbell either.

I cant believe Gunner is 9 already. What's that old saying.....the only problem with a dog is they don't live long enough. I have not been out yet but will probably get out a day or two this week. I always like to let the first two weekends pass by before I get out there. I have heard decent reports in south central with birds being taken. One of my new neighbors went out yesterday and said he hunted hard all day with a dog in Atlantic and did not see a single bird. The most common theme I have heard is way too much corn in for the first week or so. That shall pass quickly though.

Gunner is probably a lot like me; still loves to get out there and chase the birds but probably cant swing a full day of hard hunting anymore. My damn groin bothers me after about 2 or 3 hours of walking, especially in the tall grass or extra deep snow. But, I just take my time. If it works out, we will have to get our annual couple hour walk in some time later in the season. Being right in the hood now, it makes it that much easier. Hope all is well with you and the family!

PS, Oh yea, your Hawks. Good lord, what got into those boys? That was one heck of a performance!

That's sad to see that the Atlantic area wasn't well. I haven't been out yet this season, but I should be around the Manning area on Friday, so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Ranger Rick]

Yes, this site has been pretty quiet. I've been asked why I, and others aren't on here. It's been suggested because people know bird numbers are down, etc..

I'm back at my desk after hunting east of Fort Dodge Thursday-Saturday. We shot some birds, but worked hard 8-4:30 each on Friday-Saturday. First factor influencing the hunt, all but 1 or 2 were older birds, so it's obvious this year the reproduction suffered. There was corn up around every spot we hunt. They're working hard at it and I would think most will be off by this coming weekend, though. The third strike for us is there was another crew that hunted all of our area during the week. We hunt all private ground, but my buddy's in-laws let a crew from out of state hunt. This year we were a week late due to work schedules, and they beat us to it.

We hunt some really nice ground. The farmer has done prairie restoration on all of the parcels he farms. Where there's cover, there are birds. But as with so much of Iowa, outside of those parcels, there isn't a spec of cover for miles.

Thursday afternoon I hunted two public access areas. In the first I flushed 8 hens and 1 rooster. My setter pointed the lone rooster at the fence of the property. It flushed across the fence on land owned by a hunt club. Being as they had already been out watching me and the dog work, I didn't dare pull the trigger and drop it on their land. On the second parcel I shot 1 rooster and flushed 1 hen.

Bottom line, sure bird numbers are down, but there's some pretty good hunting out there. If people want to listen to gloom and doom, and stay home, it's their loss.

[Hockeygolf]

Group of 5 of us hunted public land near Forest City the last two weekends (mainly Saturday Oct 28th and yesterday). Bagged 4 roosters last weekend. Saw quite a few hens as well. Yesterday wasn't nearly as good - bagged 0 birds and only saw a handful after walking all day. Being from MN, it's great to actually see some birds. With that being said, we are interested in hunting some private land later in the season. Obviously, we'd be willing to pay to hunt. I'd greatly appreciate any help in an introduction to a land owner in North Central Iowa. Thanks! Love the forum.

[waterdog09]

Group of 5 of us hunted public land near Forest City the last two weekends (mainly Saturday Oct 28th and yesterday). Bagged 4 roosters last weekend. Saw quite a few hens as well. Yesterday wasn't nearly as good - bagged 0 birds and only saw a handful after walking all day. Being from MN, it's great to actually see some birds. With that being said, we are interested in hunting some private land later in the season. Obviously, we'd be willing to pay to hunt. I'd greatly appreciate any help in an introduction to a land owner in North Central Iowa. Thanks! Love the forum.

Where do you hunt in MN, we went out opening wknd and saw plenty of birds in SW MN, and a couple buddies of mine went out last wknd and got four and should have had their limit but again saw a ton of birds. They stated they have not seen near the birds in IA this season as in the past 2 years. Ill be out this sat for the first time in IA after taking a week off after our SD trip.

[Simple Man]

I lived in Iowa back in the late 80's and have Pheasant hunted it every year until around 2010 mostly around Shelby County. Due to life changes and bird populations I rarely hunt that area anymore and am looking to establish new hunting areas perhaps near the Fort Dodge area or possibly Forest City. Appreciate any recommendations - might even go up to the NW corner where we have plenty of access to public ground. I have hunted that area a few times and it certainly had good bird numbers. I should mention that I have plenty of dog power but small hunting part of 3 old friends that enjoy a day in the field with plenty of old stories to tell and hoping to add a few new ones. What do you think my chances are of getting permission to hunt private ground in these areas?

[kanstiss]

I'm hoping to hear something about fort dodge area as well. There's potential I may head that way this weekend. Looking to possibly go toward Story City also.

[Hockeygolf]

Great to hear that you saw plenty of birds in MN. Haven't been out in MN yet this year, my comment was based on hunting public land in the Windom area in years past. May have to give MN another go this year.

[Shawk]

First... yeah, how about those Hawks! Not sure what happened with Northwestern but I usually dread that game every year so I'm never surprised at that outcome... they just have our number. MSU and PSU were both should of and could of games. We'll see what happens in Madison this weekend. Props to the Panthers and the Cyclones as well that have figured things out this season as well.

I snuck out yesterday with my pooches for the 2nd time this season... our older GSP is now 9+ (hard to believe) and our "pup" will be 3 this winter. She hit auto pilot early last season and it's been fun watching her get after it! We spent about 5-6 hours in the field yesterday, 7 1/2 miles on foot and just one opportunity which we took advantage. He was a lone runner I happened to get on video as my pup tracked for 50-60 yards b4 finally pinning him down. Our first day out last week we did manage to get our 3 birds by noonish... same area and saw a few more birds the first day. I try to run my pooches at least twice a week so we're a little behind on field time but we'll get that made up! No question, I saw fewer birds our first two times out versus the last couple seasons... yeah, a decent amount of corn standing but the numbers were noticeably less than I expected. I expected to see more yesterday with most of the corn now out, and had a much tougher day than expected. I didn't have a "hard day" like yesterday until much later last season.
Oh, of course my pup already found her first coon... though he'll live another day as I couldn't get a shot on him while they tangled... not a fan of raccoons! I honestly think my older dog just passes them by... doesn't seem to locate them but I think my pup finds every coon in the county!

Stay safe and best wishes!Best wishes all!