My brother in law who is my best friend and hunting buddy just backed out of our trip that starts on Tuesday. He tells me that hes talked to the ranch manager and the birds just aren't cooperating. He doesn't want to spend the money on a chance of getting skunked. The property manager told him he saw flocks of 30-40 birds just 2-3 weeks ago but just a few hens for the past two weeks.
Not many people have hunted the place so I'm sure the toms haven't all been killed. We have had some weird weather with temperature variations from the 30s to the 80s over the past couple of weeks. I think it just threw the birds off and they will be cranking up again soon.
I'm still going to go. I'm going to spend the day Tuesday on public land in the morning and then make the drive to the ranch and try to roost some birds to hunt Wednesday morning. If I find birds on the public land like I did opening weekend, (doubtful), I may just stay there on the National Grasslands. The main reason I want to hunt the private land is I think I'll have much better odds of bagging a bow bird.
I'm disappointed but I'm still going and I'll get over it. BTW, hes going to Ks and Mo for hunts soon. I'm not. He said he can't afford to go with me. Go figure!