I made a bonzai trip out to western ND for some archery deer hunting. Things are slightly improved after 3 tough winters (2009-2011) but still numbers no where near prior to those winters.
Some signs of improvement include seeing my first cottontail in 3 years. (In 2008, I would see upwards of 10 a day). Hearing some pheasant crowing (And I am hunting marginal pheasant habitat). Fair numbers of sharptails and several flocks of turkeys. (Haven't seen them in 3 years also)
After no real deer opportunities in 2 1/2 days, I swung into my parents place and take a little 1/2 mile walk behind their place. By some miracle I could actually hit something and walked back to the house with gun empty and game bag full. Hunts like this remind me why I love pheasant hunting.
Some signs of improvement include seeing my first cottontail in 3 years. (In 2008, I would see upwards of 10 a day). Hearing some pheasant crowing (And I am hunting marginal pheasant habitat). Fair numbers of sharptails and several flocks of turkeys. (Haven't seen them in 3 years also)
After no real deer opportunities in 2 1/2 days, I swung into my parents place and take a little 1/2 mile walk behind their place. By some miracle I could actually hit something and walked back to the house with gun empty and game bag full. Hunts like this remind me why I love pheasant hunting.
