Corn Rooster opener?

[grab the net]

How much corn will be out by opener in your area? The way it looks around here, at least 50 percent. Could make for some better than average early season hunts. No large corn fields will force em to stay in hunt-able cover most of the day.

[TylerS]

Almost all of it. And with CRP going the way of the dodo, and tree rows getting torn down everywhere, it's set up to be a slaughter. Birds aren't going to have anyplace to hide.

[lawdog]

ya its a disaster in the making Tyler. Our bird numbers were coming back but still aren't great. We've lost so much CRP and this year because of the drought "disaster" half of what's left got bailed. So, no cover left there and no crop left to hide in or eat, not only will a lot of what's here get shot, but what's left will be toast this winter if we get any weather anyway... Enjoy shooting what you can this year, we won't have diddly next year.

[rbs]

No corn left here!

[22x]

I was down in Worthington/Windom about a month ago & they were combining like mad. I would guess by now, most of the corn will be out. They are calling for 60% chance of rain on Saturday. I know we need it, but it hasn't rained all fall. Why now! LOL!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Some rain would actually be good. It's so stinkin dry down here your dog is going to have a tough time picking up a scent.

BTW- Not much corn anywhere. The bird population isn't that great. Very little cover.

[123fish]

Nope not much corn left at all down here in the Worthington/Slayton area and there will be even less by Saturday. For all of those afraid of an opening day slaughter those updated forecasted thunderstorms on Saturday will save more roosters than anything else. Definitely more roosters than last year but still quite aways below the glory years before the two back to back severe winters and cold wet springs.

[Jmnhunter]

the USDA NASS site used to have crop reports broken down by county, but all I can find is statewide, they do have the weather (but no crops) broken down for each district and surrounding areas.. anyone know where a guy can find county by county data?

[muc33]

Corn, what corn? In the Worthington area, less than 20% left in the field. Heck, less that 50% of the stalks are left. Blazing harvest, but numbers are better than last year, and in Nobles and Jackson Counties, there are good number of habitat acres compared to a lot of counties because of very active PF Chapters. Over 2000 acres in each county for public hunting. Take your time, be safe and don't be afraid to walk a grove or two with as little crop cover that is left. Be safe!

[harvey lee]

I would guress around my area, Arlington, 20% left maybe but going out fast.

Last year I skipped the bird season for the first time in 42 years and will again this season.

I have talked to many farmers and asked what they saw while combining it it is bad. One farmer who runs about 600 acres saw 3. Another who runs close to 2,000 has seen 12 roosters. While out bow hunting, I heard none at all. Talked to the rural mailman and he said, what pheasants. There may be a feww local pockets of birds but it is no better than last fall.

Very sad and with the price land is going for and the price of corn and beans, not good for pheasant cover at all.

Sad report but the truth.

[123fish]

On my way to work (Worthington) Thursday morning I came over a hill and standing next to a farmer's shelterbelt were TEN roosters in a roughly 50'X50' area. Two different pairs were fighting. Pretty cool. This was right across from a pretty nice patch of CRP. It's not the days of old but there are more roosters in my area than last year and with the crops out they are ripe for the picking depending on the weather.

[muskiemanAD]

We hunted just West of Hutchinson today and there was no corn left where we were. There is a pretty decent amount of cover in the area so ample place for the birds to hide.