2009 Pheasant Hunting

[Netnorske]

While the rain Gods have for the most part completely ruined this years fall salmon fishing here in the Northwest, I just returned from Pierre, South Dakota where me and a couple buddies shared a fantastic 4-Day pheasant hunting extravaganza...one of my best trips out there to date! The weather was unreal...60's, no wind and sunny for four out of the four days we hunted.... ! Not bad for SD in November! Anyways, the following photos tell the story better than I can.....

Day 1, Nov 5
We hunted a bit late in the day and as you can see by the photo the sun was waning. Before we could take the photo however, we had to work to free the rig I had gotten stuck in some wet, snotty field.....my bad! Here is a limit of 12 birds for 4 hunters. Phil's Vizla's are phenomenal hunting dogs. Rudy is on the right and Roxy (Rudy's offspring) is on the left!

L to R- Mike Holiman, Bob Peterson, Kris Olsen




Day 2, Nov 6
We joined forces with another group that my friend Phil knew for both Day 2 and 3. The additional guns helped us better surround the field(s) and we were able to get in some great shooting. This was a limit of 30 birds for 10 hunters in about 4 hours. Notice it's not all about the birds, but about the celebratory beer in my hand afterwards.... ;)!




Day 3, Nov 7
This day was a meat shoot as our group blasted 30 birds for 10 hunters in about 45 minutes... ! It was over almost too quickly as we still wanted to hunt some more, but you have to enjoy those days because they don't come too often... ;). It sounded like a war zone as what seemed like an endless stream of roosters jumped from the Milo food plot and were surrounded by blazing 12 gauges!

L to R- Phil Meyer, Mike Holiman, Kris Olsen, Bob Petersen




Day 4, Nov 8
Our final day saw us pull another limit of 15 birds for 5 hunters out of a 50 acre Milo field that we barely touched. We made a pass up one edge and halfway down the other and we were done. Thank God for the dogs as it was really thick cover and they found almost every downed bird... !

L to R- Bob Petersen, Kris Olsen, Adam Meyer, Phil Meyer, Mike Holiman




Yours Truly




As incredible as the hunting has been over the years, the friendships that grow from those experiences are even more treasured. Good hunting or fishing comes and goes… great friends are forever! Believe it or not guys....it's not all about the motorcycle. There are so many great ways to experience the outdoors that I hope each of you enjoys experiences similar to this in your own individual way.... :) !


One last look....

[duneseven]

nice hunt, but really, why not bring some good weather home?

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by duneseven

nice hunt, but really, why not bring some good weather home?

Indeed....we arrived back in Seattle to a pouring rainstorm this morning and I wish I had been able to do just that!

[Cajunrider]

Kris those are great pictures. That had to be a fantastic time in the fields.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Kris those are great pictures. That had to be a fantastic time in the fields.

Mitch,
It was and always is. South Dakota is an incredible place to hunt pheasants and will spoil you rotten. It helps to know people who know people....know doubt about that. There is something special about planning a strategy, then working it to success. Watching the dogs go on point, then having them look at you in disgust when you whiff an easy bird is tough to take....lol....but when you do it right and drop them for a retrieve...it's all good baby....it's all good... !

BTW....I hear Tennessee has some great pheasant hunting as well....

[Cajunrider]

I've heard the same about the pheasant hunting in Tennessee. There is so much open farm land in Western TN. Corn, soybeans, etc. are very prominent there. It seems like South Dakota would be a great place to retire except for the winters. They can be brutal from what I've been seeing online. There is so much to do there.

[landman]

really great pictures,i'm glad you had a great hunt.

[schoeney]

Now.....can you kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

[duffy]

My brother lives in Huron (we're originally from Mitchell) and he has tried numerous time to get me to come back for pheasant season. Maybe some year.................it's been a long time.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by duffy

My brother lives in Huron (we're originally from Mitchell) and he has tried numerous time to get me to come back for pheasant season. Maybe some year.................it's been a long time.

Boy...I'd be all over that! It's a great time and there are tons of birds in that area, but you already know that.... ;)!

[duffy]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

Boy...I'd be all over that! It's a great time and there are tons of birds in that area, but you already know that.... ;)!

Yeah, I really should while my Pop is still around and able to hunt.