I just got back from a short three day pheasant hunt in eastern Montana, near Glendive. Early reports were that bird numbers were down but that is not what I found, at least on the farm that I hunted. Limited out each day before noon and then went back out to work the dog on birds but left the shotgun in the truck. The corn was cut and birds were scattered in just about every habitat type. A wonderful way to close out the the 2011 season.

465H&H

Nice, glad you had a good hunt. Anyone who went pheasant hunting in October had crappy hunts and didn't see many birds. For me this has always been the case with wild birds, except for a few very good years with high populations. December hunting is, IMO, the very best time to be out chasing pheasants. No crops except the foodplots makes the birds a little more concentrated, snow helps, and the colder temps keep other guys at home.

I agree 465......I was out near Malta in mid-November.....pheasants were thick everywhere.....we pounded them, even without a dog.

quote:

Originally posted by edholum:
Nice, glad you had a good hunt. Anyone who went pheasant hunting in October had crappy hunts and didn't see many birds. For me this has always been the case with wild birds, except for a few very good years with high populations. December hunting is, IMO, the very best time to be out chasing pheasants. No crops except the foodplots makes the birds a little more concentrated, snow helps, and the colder temps keep other guys at home.

Actually this was my third trip this year to Montana and I also hunted the opener in South Dakota down near Presho. We found plenty of birds in all areas but with the corn cut there were even more birds later. Mainly a matter of how good the habitat is on the farms you hunt.

465H&H

What breed is your dog? My guess would be a small munsterlander. How old is it and how good of a bird dog?? Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Grumpa:
What breed is your dog? My guess would be a small munsterlander. How old is it and how good of a bird dog?? Thanks

Grumpa,

You are correct in that it is a small munsterlander. Boss is 6 years old and is one of only 19 SM males approved for breeding by the SM club of North America. As for his hunting ability, every dog owner thinks his dog is the best in the world. I won't say that but will say that in over 50 years of hunting birds over various breeds of bird dogs, I haven't seen one that produces more birds than Boss. He covers the ground like a bird vacum cleaner, will hold a point for almost for ever and retrieves to hand.

I will be travelling to South Dakota this weekend to breed Boss to an excellent bitch there. I expect some outstanding pups from that breeding.

465H&H

Here is a pic of our two newest SM pups pointing squirrels in the back yard.