Hunting Stategies for upcoming season

[Arago]

At this point it's hard to pinpoint areas to hunt. However, I've been thinking about areas and timing. Also, if I suck it up and go to the Dakotas. Minneasota has been good enough to save the expence, but I've got an 11 year old lab. We need some active hunting. Thoughts?

[muc33]

My goal is to:

1. Hold gun

2. Find Pheasant

3. Shoot Gun at Pheasant

4. Hope shot hit Pheasant

5. Heat up oven, and eat Pheasant!!!!

Other than that, I will enjoy mother natures greatness! I gave up on the stress of strategy!

[pureinsanity]

Make a 4 - 5 day trip out of SD. you can hunt public land and road hunt and do fine. Its a whole different ball game out there.

[Arago]

Well, I like that! I don't stress about hunting. The buety is the planning! Where to go.... Supper Club nearby? Motel? The anticipation is the best part. A frosty morning going afield, you can't beat it.

[pureinsanity]

Anyone that is thinking about taking a trip. We always had a group of 6-7 people go. Now it is just my old man and I. We use to have a kitty. A set amount each person would donate to an envelope. We would use that money to pay for dinner, and to take the land owners out to dinner. Order what you want when you want and the kitty paid for everyone. When it ran out it ran out, you could add the same amount more, or if there was left over money it would be divided evenly back to the parties.

[tybo]

I've have gone on elk huntings trips and bird hunting trips to Colorado and Montana. We have always used the similar "pay into a kitty" approach. If you needed something yourself you used your own cash, credit card, etc. The last trip was 2.5 years ago to Montana for 9-10 days for birds only. There were 3 guys and 3 dogs. We packed a lot of oou own food and only ate out a few times. We made a lot of crockpot meals that we started in the morning on low nd ate when we got back. we took a cooler and small grille and ate in the field fo lunch. We ended up spending about $500 or so per person. Not too bad. The kitty system works well from my experience.

[pureinsanity]

I've have gone on elk huntings trips and bird hunting trips to Colorado and Montana. We have always used the similar "pay into a kitty" approach. If you needed something yourself you used your own cash, credit card, etc. The last trip was 2.5 years ago to Montana for 9-10 days for birds only. There were 3 guys and 3 dogs. We packed a lot of oou own food and only ate out a few times. We made a lot of crockpot meals that we started in the morning on low nd ate when we got back. we took a cooler and small grille and ate in the field fo lunch. We ended up spending about $500 or so per person. Not too bad. The kitty system works well from my experience.

It works pretty good. I just even things out. No matter what you get everyone is paying for it. However, it also makes you careful what you eat. Instead of the top notch steak youll get the sirloin instead!

[Arago]

If I were to add to my bucket list, it would be to spend 3 solid weeks hunting roosters, ducks and grouse. From mid October on, living out of a camper or motels (for showers). Having nothing to worry about but scouting and where to hunt the next day! I know there are some fortunate souls who have done this. The problem is we all need to work! Hopefully, when retired, ya got the energy and money to make it happen. Just tromp around Minnesota & the Dakotas. Find alot of small town cafes!

[ReelTimes]

Arago, my thoughts exactly. The struggle and challenge is the time. Would love to be able to go out for an extended period but just not able to get away. I'm fortunate if I can get 2-3 long (4 day) weekend trips per year. But I do look forward to the day when maybe I might be able to do so.

[Arago]

That is the thing of dreams. When the 1st of October comes, the soul of a hunter turns his eyes to the sky and looks for phesants while driving in the country. You just want to be in the field and not stuck at work or fighting traffic. I think about all the great outdoor writers (Gene Hill comes to mind). You think about your first hunt as a kid. Sitting in a duck blind as the sun is coming up. Heading into a CRP at early morning legal time for a flush of a rooster. Listening to geese moving during the night. A good dinner at a local supper club with a cold beer. Walking thru aspens and pines for a grouse flush, with your dog working. Setting your alarm at night, tired but anxious for the morning ... No one but a hunter knows these feelings.