Where would you go/What would you do?

[JONOV]

I'm going to do everything I can to get Gus on more wild birds this fall. While we had a handful of outings here in NC, we didn't manage to move any birds, and while some of it certainly had to do with him be 6-7 months old for most of the season, I know others that had similar results because aside from woodcock moving through, there simply aren't many birds here, period.

I'm turning over a few options in my head. Every year I take a trip to NoDak, that's almost exclusively duck hunting. I was thinking of tacking on a few days at the front end for upland hunting. It wouldn't be at or near the opening weekend for huns or sharpies, probably closer to the first or second week of October and may or may not coincide with the pheasant opener.

Second option: Delay my summer vacation for UP Grouse hunting, OR tack on some extra time at Christmas. My dad just bought a cabin in the UP and He's retiring this year. I've only grouse hunted a few times, but I think it would be nice, and I love the UP, and the cabin is free.

Third option would be to go to Kansas or Nebraska or Ok or something. I think that one would be harder because I'd be starting completely from scratch.

What say you? What would you do?

[jlw034]

Pretty sure ND is moving up their phez opener this year.

Not sure how you do it, but my standard MN/ND/SD hunt day is ducks in the AM/clean birds/upland in the midday/scout/upland in the evening/clean birds/sleep/rinse/repeat.

Definitely not relaxing, but that's not the point I suppose.

[orhunter]

Winter kill is going to be an issue from Oregon through the Dakotas. Don't plan anything yet.

[Beech]

If there are birds around your dads cabin then that sounds like a winner. Hard to know from here how many birds you and dog will encounter. Woodcock may be an added bonus before November, by movember most of the migration is past and if this spring is any indication then the woodcock flight next fall will be good.. Christmas in the northern midwest is always a crapshoot weather wise, could be icy crusted snow, could be deep snow or little snow. most folks ahve a toughtime finding grouse after November. Ice fishing around christmas time is always an option too..

[Willie T]

Jonov, I would hold off on finalizing plans as long as I could. Follow the weather spring through summer and make plans to hunt areas where bird numbers will likely be high due to favorable conditions for nesting and brood survival. I would not be deterred by new areas. Once you reach your destination the upland dog is the one that does the actual hunting. If the birds are plentiful the dog won't care if it's been there before or not. Some of the most memorable times I have spent afield have been hunting and experiencing new country with my dogs. If the goal is to put your dog on birds you need to go where the birds are and with upland birds things change every year.
Also to further what JLW said, if you are going to be in Nodak, commit a good portion of your time to upland birds. That is a heck of an opportunity to get your dog on birds. The old axiom of "no birds equals no bird dog" is pretty accurate.
Willie

[Steve Anker]

Well, I guess this year the agenda looks like this.........
Over the summer, get the hounds in good shape again for a nice easy season.
Then, we'll take a look around the new neighborhood for State Lands to Hunt.
Being newly situated here getting familiar with my surroundings sounds probable.
If I can wake up the Troops (my old hunting buddies) maybe we'll make a trek up to New Hampshire for a long weekend blitzing for Mr Grouse.
Yeah, that sounds like a very do-able season 2018.

[GONEHUNTIN']

When it comes to getting young dog's on a lot of birds, I favor the Dakotas. I live in N. Wi. So I can grouse hunt anytime. Thing is, you don't get a lot of contacts unless the woodcock are in.

I like the Dakotas because one, there's a lot of birds and two, I CAN SEE WHAT THE PUP IS DOING. I think that's a huge advantage. Early season in the Dakotas can mean snake breaking so be sure you do that if you're hunting in Sept there.
The pup will find so many birds he'll go cross eyed and maybe even point one.

[Scott Linden]

I'm with those who suggest the Dakotas. Plenty of public access, friendly people and year to year, more birds per acre than everywhere else combined. Do your homework, don't be intimidated by your lack of knowledge of the area because many of the residents will help you. Yes, you'll get skunked in some spots, but also find some new honey holes. Glad to share more by PM. I'll see you there.

[watermen]

I just got back from an informal crow and road survey. The fishing was good enough to leave lots of window time. I covered from 281 to the river from 94 down to 50 miles into south dakota. Birds took a beating this winter, The ducks are happy and the fishing is great. Having said that I did see pheasants and more grouse than expected. They had 1.5 inches of rain since tues and will need a dry spring to help numbers rebound. Locals said loss was from60-90% depending on where you were specifically. Like knowledgeable people have said it is too soon to tell. It is raining in the southern plains and they are starting with good carryover. The hens were with the roosters in the morning in the dakotas and gone to lay in the evenings so they are starting to nest (early).... The southern plains have been a great place for young dogs the last two years, worth considering IMHO. I did not cover most of the best ground in the Dakota's, but ground that is plenty good enough most years.

[woodboro]

Just back from the Dakota's and birds were every where...

The only advise I give guys that buy a dog and wants to seriously hunt : Hunt the dog at least 21-28 days.
Sounds simple , but when you start counting how many days most weekend hunters hunt , they often don't reach
that amount of days.... family , friends, fun and games before the dog..

[LongHammer]

Seems if you want to get a dog on lots of birds quail is the ticket. Here in AZ you can shoot 15 a day and really log some miles. The season is really long so you can come get some sunshine before or after all the other seasons elsewhere.

[3drahthaars]

If I were you, i'd still go to ND. But, I would schedule it so that waterfowl season was open along with upland.

You duck hunt in the AM, then drive around and upland hunt in the late morning and afternoon. Sharpies aren't out until the ground is dry, pheasants don't really head for the sloughs and hold until the bad weather sets in.

Here in NC... you have to play woodcock roulette and find a good preserve for quail to fill in.

3ds

[orhunter]

You don't have to hunt pheasants in sloughs.

[JONOV]

Just back from the Dakota's and birds were every where...

The only advise I give guys that buy a dog and wants to seriously hunt : Hunt the dog at least 21-28 days.
Sounds simple , but when you start counting how many days most weekend hunters hunt , they often don't reach
that amount of days.... family , friends, fun and games before the dog..

That's the goal...already staked my claim to my vacation time to hopefully get a whole week, maybe more, to guarantee at least 8 consecutive uninterrupted days. No kids right now, so don't have that holding me back.

I'm also trying to figure in the purchase of a duck boat for duck hunting locally.