...but not much shooting. Just spent three days hunting public land in southern Minnesota while I was visiting my parents for Thanksgiving and flushed just one lonely rooster.

For the most part, we had the public land all to ourselves. There is something special about being on a big field, just with your gun and your dog. Was very nice to get out in some good weather.





Buck didn't mind. He's just happy to be there and his hunting is still improving, which makes me happy too.



Buck working the edge of a narrow slough:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9QmXU6BsMo

We still have a few more weekends left to hunt this year, so I'm crossing my fingers we'll get another crack at those birds.

Hate the lack of birds you experienced but a man never wastes time taking his dog and shotgun for a walk!

It's okay, we call it hunting and not shooting. I grew up in the area and am used to it, so whatever birds we get are prized. I's rather have it than a game farm.

We flushed seven birds at one spot we hunted last year and it didn't produce last weekend, but there's still lots of land yet to hunt.

Evan,

Late season roosters are usually hard won, especially on public land. I try to find the places most people won't go. Once the water freezes cattails can be productive. Or, big patches of multiflora rose.

You have brought back some fond memories.

Thanks,

Tom

Hi Tom,

Our basic strategy was seeking out the thick stuff on the properties, going from slough to slough and visiting ditches and treelines.



Last year, during his first year of hunting, Buck was hesitant to get in the thick cattails- especially if I wasn't in them too. Now this year he is diving right in. Of course I had to push through some too anyways. Lots of fun when you can hear their wings flapping against the cattails before they bust loose.



Thanks,
Evan

Evan,

Buck looks like a great dog!

I would rather walk for miles through snow, brush & cattails behind my dog then

walk on a treadmill in a heated gym any day, think of it as cheap exercise & therapy.

Good luck to you & Buck.

A nice day out regardless!!

K

Beautifull dog congratulations ,the fields are beautifull ,its a pitty that there arent birds .
If you want to kill many birds the best place in the world is my country Argentina ,and the best for partriges my alfalfa fields .

quote:

Originally posted by Jungleboy:
Evan,

Buck looks like a great dog!

I would rather walk for miles through snow, brush & cattails behind my dog then

walk on a treadmill in a heated gym any day, think of it as cheap exercise & therapy.

Good luck to you & Buck.

Thanks, and I completely agree.

quote:

Originally posted by juanpozzi:
Beautifull dog congratulations ,the fields are beautifull ,its a pitty that there arent birds .
If you want to kill many birds the best place in the world is my country Argentina ,and the best for partriges my alfalfa fields .

Some day, Juan, some day!