Pheasant release site observation

[Ray Ray]

Was at one of the pheasant release sites yesterday . Dog and I pushed all morning with no roosters and only 3 other early morning hunters around. In the afternoon the release truck showed up . Within 1/2 hour many trucks and hunters were on the scene . 1 fella with a Springer and another fella with a Pointer chasing birds away 4 and 500 yards from the whistle .My birds his birds. 5 of them flying out of boundary. Although I did end up with my birds in the afternoon it sure was a peaceful morning .

[cotang]

Originally Posted by Ray Ray

Was at one of the pheasant release sites yesterday . Dog and I pushed all morning with no roosters and only 3 other early morning hunters around. In the afternoon the release truck showed up . Within 1/2 hour many trucks and hunters were on the scene . 1 fella with a Springer and another fella with a Pointer chasing birds away 4 and 500 yards from the whistle .My birds his birds. 5 of them flying out of boundary. Although I did end up with my birds in the afternoon it sure was a peaceful morning .

Myself, I noticed it gets harder and harder as the season goes by. Opening day I hear many people flush several within the first 2 hours with no dogs now you need a dog just to flush one... that is what I noticed.....

[densa44]

The birds are still there, just harder to get. The dogs always find a few.

She locked up facing a large pile of downed timber, when I got up to her, I tried to get her to flush the bird and she wouldn't move. That means she can see what ever she is pointing at.

Then I thought what if it is a porky, so I took a baby step forward and an 8 point wt busk stood up and ambled back deeper in the bush. 6 feet away, very cool.

Glad it wasn't a porky.

[ASROMA]

Can I ask you was this at Daysland yesterday ?

[shedcrazy]

I heard Daysland is done for the year but are they still releasing at Buffalo Lake?

[Ray Ray]

Yes you can ask me and no it was not.

[aulrich]

It pays to "work the corners" at release sites, as busy as they are there are still less hunted areas. Two Sundays ago I ran into friends who have two good dogs who only put up one bird , I walked to a corner and had my two birds in a half hour. And even though some birds get walked by , there are areas I don’t bother walking since party after party works those areas. Mind you yesterday I am on my way out and the pup locks up 75 yards from the parking lot, who knows how many hunters and dogs walk passed that day. I am not sure if it was just the snow or the snow and soggy birds but the birds were holding very tight yesterday, they had dug into any available cover, and took serious convincing to leave cover.

[2 Tollers]

Daysland yesterday was very wet with a steady drizzle all day. The birds were either holding tight or were runners before flushing. There was enough people around that you would be watching to change directions to avoid dog interferences.

Daysland on Saturday my dogs put up three and I got 2. On the way back the dogs put up a bird with a broken wing tip, in the grass. I called them off and spoke with 3 different groups of guys about the wounded bird. The third group was willing to go after a bird that was wounded that they had not shot at. Very nice to see.

[Bigmountainrider]

Originally Posted by Ray Ray

In the afternoon the release truck showed up . Within 1/2 hour many trucks and hunters were on the scene

Are you suggesting that the release truck driver or local farmers are calling their buddies to hunt behind the truck? And if so, then having no dog control and flushing birds off the release property?

If, I'm reading between the lines, It could explain the difficulties and low bird numbers for just the average guy with no connections.

Maybe I'm crazy, but it would suck if this was happening.

[Ray Ray]

I am just sharing observations and would like you and all to deduce your own conclusions. The timing was impeccable though.

[puppyhood1]

I can't imagine you have to actually walk and work for your birds......puphood1

[edmhunter]

Originally Posted by puppyhood1

I can't imagine you have to actually walk and work for your birds......puphood1

Beautiful Setter Pic!

[opto55]

Just wondering if they have finished releasing birds at Daysland or are they doing one more release. I was thinking of going out on Saturday.

[ASROMA]

I believe Daysland is done. Next best thing is Buffalo Lake. It's unfortunate that the ethical part of hunting is left out. I see no point as a hunter and a dog handler to go out and shoot birds that were just released from a truck. There are places in the city that sell pheasants all cleaned and ready to eat as there really is no difference than what these people are doing by going shoot birds just released. I think that ab conservation needs to change some of there by laws and incorporate all release sites to no hunting after 2:00 pm so birds can be released and at least there is some ethics in bird hunting.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by ASROMA

I think that ab conservation needs to change some of there by laws and incorporate all release sites to no hunting after 2:00 pm so birds can be released and at least there is some ethics in bird hunting.

I personally think this is a fantastic idea ,it has been discussed with my hunting partners and we all Agree as well!
Cat

[puppyhood1]

Originally Posted by edmhunter

Beautiful Setter Pic!

A great Atypical Llewellyn with out the typical Setter falts. ....puphood1