Pheasant Hunt Hector MN Dec 12th 2024

 

On a surprisingly mild December day, with temperatures hovering around 45 degrees, Tasha and I met up with our friend Tony and his two shorthair pointers for an afternoon hunt. We started by working the eastern edge of the field, with Tasha making a few tentative points but failing to flush any birds. Realizing the terrain wasn't promising, we shifted our focus to the thicker cover.

The recent freeze had transformed the wet areas, including the pond, giving us easier access to the densest section of the property. I noticed several old pheasant droppings in the cattails, but the tracks appeared days old. Undeterred, we methodically moved between thick and thin cover, hoping to flush a bird into a good pointing position.

As we approached the north side of the dense vegetation, we heard Tony fire a couple of shots. A rooster took flight, landing on the neighboring property—a near miss. We continued our hunt, thinking the warmer temperatures might drive birds into lighter cover. Our patience was partially rewarded with a promising point, but it turned out to be just a hen.

Returning to the thick cover proved more productive. We flushed six additional birds, all hens, clustered along the edges of the dense vegetation. We pondered whether we were too early—it was only 2 PM—or if the birds had already moved to feeding grounds or shifted to another part of the property.

Despite not bagging a rooster, the hunt was enjoyable. Tasha had a great time, her nose full of bird scent, and Tony's dogs were equally enthusiastic. The unseasonably warm weather and the thrill of the hunt made for a satisfying afternoon, especially considering we were only in the field for a brief 90 minutes.

Gear Used.
Danner Sharptail boots
Final Rise Vest
15+ year old Columbia hunting pants.
Garmin Alpha 300
Dogtra t&b collars