Scratch birds?

[TRITC]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to get my younger britt out this weekend on some birds, but I don't want to deal with the whole holiday weekend pricing stuff that some places have. He's real close to flipping the switch from running around, having fun and hunting for himself; to realizing that this is a team sport and that if we don't work together we don't get any birds. So basically I'm just looking at finding a place that is cool with a non-member coming in for some scratch birds. I live in North Branch so some place on the north side would be great. I’d get out and do some actual hunting around here but I haven’t lived here long and I don’t really have any property owner connections.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

TRITC

[metrojoe]

The best thing would be to print off the list of licensed game preserves from the DNR web site and start calling around.

[buzzsaw]

Try Glendorado in Princeton.

[brittman]

Preserves are in business to make money. I have been told that Fri - Sun after Thanksgiving are the busiest days of the year for many.

I doubt that you will find much in the way of "scratch" hunting. Go chase some wild birds or wait to next weekend.

[fishnhooks]

Try Al and Val at Rocky Bay Kennel and Hunt club. They are just up and off 35 a little ways from North Branch. Rock Creek exit I believe. They allow non members and have scratch birds.

"hooks"

[LuciandTim]

Just an FYI....Most places including Glendorado (as mentioned above) do not allow scratch bird hunting. Some let members scratch hunt but not all. Too many people go out and shoot birds and then leave them lay.

[Norsk Fisker]

I took my young dog to Bear Creek east of Hinckley. They have some modest combinations that are affordable. I went with some Chukar because they sit so long. It made it a little easier for the dog (and the shooter). They don't do scratch birds alone, but you may find a few out there. They are real accommodating, especially if you are willing to work in between some groups. They are good folks too.

[metrojoe]

Norsk,

I was out there today. They have got some great fields and as you say, they are some good folks. I was thinking about heading out there again in a week or so, maybe we could share a field.

Flusher or Pointer?

[metrojoe]

By the way Tim, How'd it go out west?

[TRITC]

Thanks for the input guys.

The weekend ended up a little hectic and I woke up Sunday morning and gave Bear Creek a call and they were very accommodating. Not to mention were very reasonably priced. I definitely had a good experience going there and both dogs were able to get plenty of work in.

TRITC

[Slowfinger]

Metro,

If you're still interested in sharing a field, let me know. If you don't have a problem sharing with my 1.5 yr old Britt....she's well behaved but it's time to kick it up a notch so I'll need to get off my wallet and put a bunch of birds in front of her. Let me know....

[matthothand]

TRITC,

How long have you been around NB? I grew up there and live up in Dah-lute now. Just wondering if there's a chance that I know ya. I worked at Fish Lake Bait a few years back. I've hunted with Wings North in Henriette but my buddy is a member. They might be another place to try. We always found a few scratch birds hanging out. Good luck to ya and the pup.

[TRITC]

matthothand,

I've only been here for about a year and a half. Looking at the DNR's pheasant concentration map I really need to get my butt out and knock on some doors around here to get on the birds in the area. If you are interested in teaming up I am definitely up for the opportunity to get out with someone from the area; try to meet some of the local land owners and make some connections. I actually have two britts, one is 5 years old and the young one is 1.5 years old. The young one was a rescue dog and we didn't get him until he was about 10 months so he's really just getting on birds now. The 5 year old is a solid bird dog and has the whole hunting thing down pretty good.

Let me know if you're ever back down in your old stomping grounds and want to head out.

TRITC

[ole matty]

tritc. i dont really know area around north branch and pine city area but is there pretty good nbr of pheasant up there? i wld like to go up there and hunt for pheasant instead of driving 2+ hour to western minn or iowa to just hunt pheasant....

[TRITC]

matty,

If you look at the '05 Pheasant Hunting Prospects map on the MN DNR HSOforum it shows their estimated pheasant numbers per square mile. There is a pocket west of Cambridge that is shown to have pretty good numbers.

TRITC