Pheasant Hunt October 30th 2024 Hutchinson MN

After a few days back home from our previous hunting expedition, we decided it was time to switch our focus to pheasants. Our destination was a familiar hunting ground near Hutchinson, Minnesota - a spot that typically offers prime pheasant habitat, though last year's drought had significantly impacted its productivity. The property usually features several ponds, but the previous season's dry conditions had left them completely dried up.

Given my injured foot, I needed to modify our usual hunting strategy. Rather than running the dogs separately as I typically prefer, I opted to work both simultaneously to keep our hunt within a 90-minute window. We began our systematic sweep along the northern edge of the field, where the action started almost immediately. The dogs picked up multiple scents, resulting in four or five solid points on hens, and we witnessed one rooster burst into flight well out of range.

As we executed our planned route, we curved westward, traversing a notably quiet stretch where birds were scarce. However, the southern portion of the property proved more productive, with the dogs expertly pointing two more hens. The real excitement came as we worked our way along the eastern boundary, where both dogs caught wind of a rooster. The scene unfolded in the denser cover, with the birds working the scent thoroughly as the pheasant maneuvered along the field's edge. When the rooster finally flushed, I managed to get off a shot, connecting but not cleanly. Tasha, displaying her tracking instincts, pursued the bird diligently, and though she appeared close to recovery several times, the bird ultimately eluded us.

Moving into the interior section of the property, we encountered several more points, mostly revealing hens. Our persistence paid off when another point produced a rooster, and this time our aim was true, successfully adding one to the game bag. After completing our circuit, we returned to the truck for a brief rest. I made the tactical decision to kennel Tasha and continue with Val alone for the final stretch. The last half-hour proved quiet in terms of rooster activity, and we concluded our hunt just shy of the 90-minute mark.

Throughout the outing, both dogs maintained the high level of performance they'd shown all season, working efficiently and effectively despite the adjusted hunting strategy. While the drought's lingering effects were still evident in the landscape, the day provided a satisfying blend of action and success in the field.