April Pheasant Hunt/Bar-B-Que

[Wild Willie]

Just got off the phone with the Rick the game farm owner. He said he is going to plant 100% roosters. No big deal because typically this time of year hatcheries supplying shooting preserves and game farms want to hold onto their hens for eggs. He did mention however that some of the roosters will have broken off/shorter tails due to all the sparing that goes on this time of year.

He did say that each hunter in each group should pay special attention to areas that provide the heaviest cover. Also, be aware that the birds will probably be up and running because it's real close to mating season and the lack of vegitation. The stealthier your group is the better chance you will have in terms of a close flush or hard point. Just a heads-up!

[spinach]

BDR, You have mail thankyou.

[BDR]

Here's a pic from Spinach.

The pic is me (spinach) and my dogs Jack and Macey. This was taken at Glendorado shooting Preserve this past winter.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

[This message has been edited by BDR (edited 04-08-2004).]

[Mayfly]

Me and Luci, we need birds.......

[Mayfly]

http://www.weather.com/weather/detail/USMN0119?dayNum=8

[BDR]

I'll take that weather any time in Nov. or Dec. when I'm going huntin. No reason it would keep me away in April.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

[mistermom]

Daisy the GSP and I spent many hours trekking WMA's out by Brooten this past weekend. She did manage to accidently kick up a couple of birds. She also did some nice pointing on robins. Best of all she worked fairly close and came back when called pretty decent. She also didn't react to gunfire. I had a semi-auto 22 pistol with and I was popping off shots into the ground and she didn't care. So thats good!

Fired up for Sunday! BDR what is your gameplan?

mm

[BDR]

MM - I have the whole day open, so I was planning to go with the flow see what the groupings will be. I would be happy to hook up wiyh you out there and get that Daisy on some birds.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

[Wild Willie]

Okay guys here she goes...I have done my best to organize the groups according to numers of hunters, style of dog and number of birds. Lets have some feedback regarding the following:

Group #1 (Flusher Dogs)
1 - Jeffyo45 - 3 Pheasants - 2 Dogs
2 - Guest - 3 Pheasants
3 - Guest - 3 Pheasants
4 - Guest - 3 Pheasants
5 - Guest - 3 Pheasants
(5 Hunters, 15 Birds, 2 Dogs)

Group #2 (Flusher Dogs)
1 - Diesel 350 - 5 Pheasants - 1 Dog
2 - Ice Banger - 2 Pheasants
3 - IB Guest - 2 Pheasants
4 - SuperFish 2 - 5 Pheasants - 2 Chukar - 1 Dog
(4 Hunters, 16 Birds, 2 Dogs)

Group #3 (Pointer Dogs)
1 - Spinach - 5 Pheasants - 1 Dog
2 - Jeremy - 4 Pheasants
3 - Willet - 4 Pheasants
4 - BDR - 4 Pheasants - 1 Dog
5 - MisterMom - 4 Pheasants - 1 Dog
6 - Mayfly - 8 Pheasants - 1 Dog
(6 Hunters, 29 Birds, 4 Dogs)

Group #4 (Flusher Dogs)
1 - Chris - 4 Pheasants - 1 Dog
2 - Guest - 4 Pheasants
3 - Guest - 4 Pheasants
4 - Dancing Bear - 2 Pheasants - 1 Dog
5 - Guest - 2 Pheasants
(5 Hunters, 16 Birds, 2 Dogs)

Group #5 (Pointer Dogs)
1 - Setterguy - 2 Pheasants - 2 Chukar - 2 Dogs
2 - Wild Willie - 3 Pheasants - 1 Dog
3 - Luke - 3 Pheasants
4 - Tom Hoffman - 4 Pheasants
5 - Guest - 4 Pheasants
6 - Guest - 4 Pheasants
(6 Hunters, 20 Birds, 3 Dogs)

Setterguy, I'm only guessing that you are bringing two dogs. I'm unsure if you plan on working them both at the same time, please advise regarding your plans.

I am confident that Rick will do his dead level best to place each group in a field that will match up with group size and dog type.

Please let me know if I have missed anyone, anyone's guest or if I have miscalculated the number of dogs or birds ordered.

A friend of mine will be there with his two Britt's to come to the aid of anyone who needs the extra nose support. I'm also pretty positive that there will be additional dog talent available in the bullpen to call on for additional support/relief if some of the starters encounter a rocky first couple of innings!

[setterguy]

I will be bringing two dogs, mainly for the training and demonstrations. If I bring one out at all it would for sure only be one in the field at a time. I don't usually hunt pheasants with my younger dog, a good way to teach a grouse dog bad habits.

[Wild Willie]

Setterguy - makes good sense to me. I will have to keep my pup on the check cord for most of the morning session. He has come a long way the past couple of months but there is still quite a lot of work left to do. He has got a great nose, holds a good hard point, can mark a bird with pinpoint lazer accuracy and is eager to retrieve. The only major problem is his tendency to get real birdy, mark a flushed bird and proceed to hunt only for himself. I know this is a problem. I have every intention to correct it and he will come to understand that those sorts of episodes are unacceptable...all in due time, all in due time. Maybe you can give me some help. He is still a pup and I don't expect him to be perfect and I refuse to beat him into submission with voltage and such! Just trying to keep it fun by applying a little more pressure each and everytime we go out. This event is not the time and place for me to let him run. He will be on the cord and in control because it just would not be fair to the rest of my group members or their dogs. We can have my friend, Brian (not a shooter) bring his two Britt's out with us if we decide we need the help!

[spinach]

WW, groups look good but add 1 more Lab to group #4. Does anyone have a portable canopy they could bring to the hunt for grilling under etc... in case it rains? I'm hoping for a good turnout, haven't heard from a couple of you lately.(Dancing bear, Superfish, Icebanger)??????? Spinach.......

[This message has been edited by spinach (edited 04-13-2004).]

[Wild Willie]

Spinach - I believe Chris said one of his guest was bringing an American Water Spaniel. I was also kick'n around the idea of seeing how many guys would be interested in a 7:30 am prehunt breakfast feast at the Perkins or some place like that in Elk River or Princeton? Of course that would mean a earlier departure time from Woodbury but it would give some of us a chance to meet and brag about how great our dogs are over a good cup of hot joe. That might not be a bad idea considering the weather forecast. Lets hear some chatter!

[Mayfly]

I looked at the groupings and I think you may want to move me. My dog seems to be more of a flusher than a pointer when it comes to birds......I've seen her lock a pretty hard point on the cat but thats about it.

My guest has sold out on me....I will be coming solo. That means my bird count goes down to 4. I'm trying to find someone else. We'll see what happens. I'm also still bringing potato salad for the BBQ.

What time are we supposed to arrive?

[BDR]

Wild Willie- I would be willing to cover Mayfly's guest birds to keep the total up. I will just pay the difference for 4 more Pheasants on Sunday.

What's needed for the BBQ?

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

[This message has been edited by BDR (edited 04-14-2004).]

[Wild Willie]

BDR & Mayfly - I put you in BDR's group because I thought you and Luci and MIsterMom and Daisy could benefit from his knowledge. Don't worry to much about your pup's lack of experience regarding the number of points she has experienced. I've got a feeling that BDR's Charlie will be leading the way for Luci, Daisy and Spinach's dog Macey. I like the team dynamics but we can always bump you and Luci to Group #2 if that makes better sense.

BDR - I will refer all questions regarding the lunch to Spinach since he has taken charge coordinating the lunch. I think folks are bringing hamburgers, buns, brats, buns, pop, potato salad, plates, deserts, chips and utensils. My guess is to bring a big thermos of steamy hot coffee. Thanks for volunteering to pick up Mayfly's birds to ensure we hit the bird count. We can just wait and see if that will be needed. Mayfly - don't worry about your guest backing out...that is something out of your control and if everyone shows as promised we will be in great shape!

[Wild Willie]

Mayfly - forgot to mention that the morning session is from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Would be nice if everyone would show up around 8:30 am. Lunch and clinic from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Afternoon groups go out 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. We can all huddle in the big old diary barn next to office to stay dry encase of the forecasted hit and miss rain showers.

[Dancing Bear]

Spinach, sorry I'm still in, haven't got a for sure from my buddy, left him another message and will let you know by tomorrow. I'll be there and will just jump in with whoever whenever if he isn't going to go.

DB IBOT #68 Trying to figure out which scattergun to bring!

[spinach]

DB, I was beginning to worry about you, I figured the triangle swallowed you up. I'm happy to see that your still in. I'll be at the hunting grounds at 08:00 am Sunday setting things up for the day, I'll see you their. If anyone needs directions to the shooting preserve I posted them on the second page of this thread. See you all Sunday. Spinach.....

[This message has been edited by spinach (edited 04-15-2004).]

[setterguy]

Willie, don't know about anyone else but I would sure like to get some breakfast that morning. The place or time doesn't matter to me, Perkins in Elk River is just as good a place as any. 7:30 still a good time? Just leave a post here to confirm.

[Wild Willie]

Setterguy - me and my son Luke will be there 7:00 am. That should give us about one hour to order, chat, drink some coffee and eat before continuing our journey north to Princeton. I would like to be at the farm a little before 8:30 am to help everyone get introduced and ready to go out by 9:00 - 9:15 am. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and their dogs.

[Dancing Bear]

Another buddy fell into place and he has a springer that will be along also, we'll just do whatever we don't worry about much but count us in for at least 6 birds.
See you around 8:30!

DB

[BDR]

Looking forward to tomorrow! Had to drive to Granite Falls yesterday and stopped at a WMA for 1/2 hour and took a couple pics.

[Mayfly]

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow myself. I'm nervous about how Luci will do. It will be motivating as far as how much more work i'll have to do with her before the fall. I just hope she doesn't screw things up for other people. Should be a great day!! The weather doesn't sound too nice but I will tough it out!

See You All Tomorrow

[BDR]

Mayfly- don't be nervous. All dogs learn and make mistakes. My 5yo will not hunt perfect tomorrow but if we have fun and learn something it was a perfect outing.

I was actually thinking about this today. Of course I want my dog to look great and impress people. But the fact is he makes mistakes, I don't hit them all but we have fun and bring home birds. Thats really what it is all about. Tomorrow could be a great learning day for all.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers