Late Season Roosters
 

I've been hunting some long weekends over in western MN and WOW are they ever spooky. I'm hunting solo so it's been tough without any blockers. I get out of the truck and I can see the birds taking off a quarter mile away. Lots of birds and I've been managing to find one or two that will hold tight. More than anything, it's just fun getting out and watching the dog work. He's really coming along good. Anyone else out there in MN hunting late season??

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

I have been. I had a great season in ND, MT and MN. Shot a personal high this year and shot birds every time out...I think that is also a first. How was your year?

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

Never hunted much in MN as I've usually gone to Iowa. We managed to drop 5 roosters on the MN opener which is great since it was only 5 minutes from home. Then I made a few day trips west and knocked down a few birds. It was a pleasant surprise. This weekend, I'm taking Friday off and buying an Iowa license. Have a landowner I know down there so I'm heading there Friday morning to hunt. Hope the birds have a good winter and dry spring for the hatch.

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

If we get a decent winter and a good spring, we are going to have dakota like populations next year in parts of the state. I saw 75 birds in one group this year...never have I seen that in MN before.

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

So far so good on the winter. I'm hoping for some snow as we need it and that can give those pheasants some insulation and I'm hoping for mild temps 15 to 30 would be great. That freezing rain can be bad for them as would really cold temps with no snow. I'm heading to Iowa tommorrow morning to chase some roosters. Can't wait...

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

Where we were hunting during the latter part of the season here in central Montana, some days the birds were getting up way out in front and other days, (the day of this picture), they held and offered good shots. We limited out on this day by noon....the last saturday of the season. It seemed they were far spookier on windier days than calm days, but we usually managed to get a couple nonetheless.

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

Those birds are beauti's Moose. How late in the year does your season run?

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

Moosedrool, that sure is a great picture with the crp grass behind you and the fence. Looks like a great day in the field.

170Class, I believe that Montana season ran this year from Oct 11th to December 15th.

RE: Late Season Roosters
 

Thanks 170class...they are beautiful birds for sure. I never tire of looking at them, and as a matter of fact, one of those birds in my hand is going on my wall. He was a real beauty, and the dog was gracious enough to mess up nary a feather!

Ironranger is exactly right, unfortunately. The season ended on the 15th and we took four more birds that day (but honestly should have limited out again). We flused at least 15 pheasants (8-10) roosters out of a small coulee just out of gun range late in the day, and as luck would have it, they flew across the road in a CRP field we can't hunt. Oh well....that's a few more mature birds to have around next year!

That pic did turn out pretty decent except for that knucklehead in the hat (couldn't do much about that)....we set that one up pretty good I must say. Take care guys and enjoy the rest of your season if it's still in!

Jeff