Bird hunting

[IaGuy]

I grew up in NW Iowa and every year about this time brought the excitement of pheasant season. I've read that the numbers are supposed to be up according to the DNR, wondering if anybody can back that up. Now that I live in KS I do not make it up there near as often as I'd like. Will the $100 license be worth it this year? I love bird hunting and have not been here in KS yet, I live in Overland Park and it's a bit of a drive to get where the pheasants fly. I am however going out with the muzzleloader tomorrow am. KS has a pretty early deer season with the muzzleloader. Wish I would have taken advantage of the IA season when I was growing up. Supposed to be in the low 50's and a light fog, love this weather! Bring on the snow. Take care and happy hunting , fishing, or just getting out there.

[itry]

I live in SW Minnesota about 10 miles from Iowa. We have a lot of birds in our area. I've been seeing a lot of chicks on the road all summer. I'm really looking forward to a great season.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I live in NW Iowa 20 miles from MN. We have a lot of gray or hungarian partridges also. Pheasants are where you find cover, which isnt that often locally.

[Stu]

Your missing out on some great hunting in KS. I live in KCK. The best pheseant numbers have been around Beloit. Pick up a walk-in hunting map. The folks around there are pretty friendly and we have never been turned down. If you go, avoid opening day and holiday weekends. Good luck - Stu

[Dr. Lee]

I grew up in NW Iowa (Rock Rapids) and hunted there as a teen in the heyday of the 60's. Greatest memories hunting with Dad, his buddy Phil and the dogs! I still get back there nearly every year for a long weekend. We have literally seen hundreds of pheasants around RR every year...and we usually go in December. I saw the Iowa DNR road count report and you can believe it. My family still owns about 600 acres up there and I talk to our renter...he confirms that there are lots of birds. The people are great about letting you hunt their land. We take some good Wisconsin cheese and some Johnsonville summer sausage and they really appreciate the thought. Small groups (2-3 hunters) are almost never turned down. We stay at Jay's motel in RR for $45 a night for a big, clean room and eat steak at the Magnolia steak house in Luverne, Mn. In short, I have spent $100 on a lot of things that make less sense than an Iowa pheasant hunting license! Good luck and good hunting.

[papadlh]

>Your missing out on some great hunting in KS. I live in KCK.
>The best pheseant numbers have been around Beloit. Pick up a
>walk-in hunting map. The folks around there are pretty
>friendly and we have never been turned down. If you go, avoid
>opening day and holiday weekends. Good luck - Stu

Thanks for the good words about Beloit. I live in Asherville,
8 miles east of Beloit on hwy 24. Bird population is up
this year due to mild summer and good rain. Season starts
Saturday and I am expecting a good turnout for opening.
Email me if you are planning on being in the area and
would like more info. :) Can hook you up with some private
land owners and a lot of good Walk-in areas nearby.
Good Luck All -DH

[reddog unlogged]

Papa, What is the forecast for Ks quail, and some of the better locations in the state?

[papadlh]

i think quail is up in the last few years in my area, Mitchell County but flooding in 03 and and dry years earlier has hurt us. Milo stubble is abundant and plenty of CRP ground here helps.
I think conditions are favorable, Pheasant are plentiful so I would think that would also be good for quail. Here is the link to Kansas Fish and Game site and their opinion on statewide bird populations.

http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/hunting/upland_birds/upland_bird_regional_forecast

Anyone interested in coming this weekend without a place to stay, eamil me for psssibilities.

Hope this helps.

PAPADLH