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I Don’t Get To See This Everyday!

So I’m doing some chores this last Saturday, I go out to the front porch and see a beautiful rooster pheasant casually stroll out of the front flower bed. I casually back into the house and frantically search for my camera. Here are a few shots as I followed him down the street. The first two shots are through my front window.

pheasant-1 pheasant-2 pheasant-3 pheasant-4

Now, mind you, I’m in the middle of our suburb here in town. Not sure how he managed to get himself lost back in here, but he’ll have a time getting himself back out, our area doesn’t have a straight street to be found. He was a beautiful bird, I hope he finds his way back out.

 

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Kansas Quail and Pheasant Opening Weekend

I was able to make it to the opening weekend for pheasant and quail this year after missing it in 2010 (which was a banner year, right guys?). The reports weren’t good for western Kansas due to the heat and drought we had over the summer. But this year, it was about more then just going hunting. Keith had beat cancer and was finally back home. This year was a celebration, hunting was just the vehicle to celebrate with.

 

The usual crew was there, minus a couple of friends that couldn’t make it. We only saw 5 roosters that Saturday, but we got into 3 large covey of quail. The quail was a pleasant surprise as I expected to see even less of them. Of the roosters, only 1 was in range for a shot, and one of the Nate’s took it. Lots of quail were taken, not sure of the final count. My daughter Mariah ended the day with 3, I managed to drop a couple.

Keith even managed to accompany us to one of his favorite spots, the infamous “tail water pit”. That was one of the spots we busted a covey of quail at. Keith even managed to drop one. I think that was the highlight of his weekend.

I was excited to see quite a few deer all three days were were out there and am looking forward to deer season coming up in December. My wife is as well. This will be her second hunt. We’re going to set up our stand at an old ranch south of Meade thanks to Jason Edwards. Keith and I had scouted that back in 2010, but we never made it out there to hunt, so I’m looking forward to setting up on a new piece of land. I’m hoping that the wife and I both get a shot, we definitely need some meat in the freezer.

All said, it was a great weekend and we’re all relieved of Keith’s outcome and glad to see him back home. We had lots of great food, lots of great discussions around the bonfire. We feasted on elk stew and the ladies made some great dutch oven cobblers. And of course, the traditional visit to the Duck Inn for a burger.

I hope everyone had a great time out. Looking forward to getting in the field again. Keep your powder dry.

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It’s Pheasant Time

Can’t wait! Heading out tomorrow to see the guys and walk some fields. I’m taking my Grandfather’s old Winchester Model 12. Hardly any blue left on, it’s longer than most shotguns these days, but dang if it ain’t a sweet old 12 gauge.

Good luck to all the Kansas hunters this weekend.

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Kansas 2011 Pheasant and Quail Season Opener

Quail and Pheasant season begins next weekend here in Kansas. The forecast hasn’t looked good for many parts of the state due to the hot, hot summer we had. The western half of the state, which generally has the best pheasant hunting, looks to be non-existent this season. The reports I’m hearing is that the cover, along with the water, just dried up.

I’m going out there anyway, as well as most of the opening day crew that goes there. It’s more for our buddy Keith, than it is for the hunting this year. We’re going to celebrate Keith’s beating cancer and finally getting back home. And really, that’s way better than the best pheasant opening weekend ever.

Anyone else going out next weekend? Where are you headed? Let us know in the comments beloww.

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PH News

I went scouting last weekend here for when I take my daughter out next month deer hunting. I was looking for this guy (picture on the right).Nice rack We think we spotted him in the neighboring field when we left. He looks nice. We also saw a couple of smaller bucks and a couple of does and lots of sign. This is my daughter’s first deer hunting trip. Hopefully she’ll do better than I did back in September. It would be awesome if she can get a shot off at that big boy.

Keith and the crew are getting ready to head out for pheasant opening day. I’m going to miss this year, I have a wedding to go to. An old friend of mine is getting married. And of course, all reports say this is likely to be one of the best years for pheasant in a long time. Of course if is. I’m thinking about NOT buying my buddy a wedding present. Good luck to the crew and all the hunters hitting the fields this weekend. May your shots be true.

And I thought I’d also give an update on Sgt. Blank. He’s finally back in the States. He made it to Bethesda and is in the Naval hospital there. He’s still far from being out of the woods yet, so keep him in your prayers. He’s going through lots of surgeries still. And keep his family in your prayers and thoughts also. There’s a lot on their shoulders.

So keep your powder dry and for those going out this weekend, drop by and give us an update when you get back.

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Small Game Hunting

huntersI grew up hunting upland birds (pheasant and quail) with my dad and later, my school buddies. That’s just all we did. I have a vague memory of dad coming home with some rabbits when I was very young. Later he told me he didn’t like cleaning them so he stopped. I’ve never really given it much thought through the years until recently.

I’ve been reading lots of stories and articles recently about rabbit and squirrel hunts, using everything from 22’s to small bore black powder rifles. I’m reading these and I’m hearing the joy from these hunters and I’m wondering what I’ve been missing all this time? So now, since pheasant, quail and deer seasons are over, I’ve decided to go find out. The squirrel season here in Kansas is only open until the end of February, so I have to get a start quickly.

So, who out there enjoys small game hunting and what do you get from it (besides the meat obviously)? And one other question, I’ve noticed a lack of rabbits the last few years and wondered if anyone else has noticed that also?

Drop us a note in the comments below and tell us about your rabbit and squirrel hunting adventures.

Keep your powder dry.

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Last Two Weekends For Kansas Upland Hunting

me_with_hat
The New Hat

Heading out tomorrow morning for the next to the last weekend for pheasant and quail season here in Kansas. I’ve been itching to get all of January and things just haven’t gone my way. I’ve got a new hunting hat and I need to see if it brings me any luck, because we all know, hunting it all about the hat. At least that’s what Keith tells me.

I’m heading down to Southeast Kansas Saturday morning with my daughter to get a tour of a new aquaintance’s ranch. He says it hasn’t been hunted much over the last couple of decades and there used to be some quail down there.

Sweet! I love a good quail hunt.

So I’ll be sporting my new hat and my Browning pump 12 gauge and my daughter will be along with her Stoeger side-by-side (which is a really cool story that I’ll have to tell some day). Wish us luck. I hope we see something tomorrow.

Keep your powder dry.