Anyone have any suggestions on public land hunting for pheasant, quail, or grouse in the midwest? I am interested in going next year. Also, is a dog absolutely necessary?

KYhunter,

A dog is always an upper hand in birding. Ohio has some decent bird hunting on public land. Check out our DNR website for info and good luck.

OhioDuckHunter
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/default.htm

I guide here in South Dakota for pheasants. Later in the season I focus primarilly on public lands. You can do it without dogs, but sure is tougher. You can also road hunt and hunt the ditches here in South Dakota, this can be done without a dog.

I also guide a fair amount in Wisconsin for Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock. I do this exclusively on public land. Hunting Ruff's without a dog isn't bad. Woodcock are tough because they hold so tight.

kansas has quite a bit of public land, plus there is also WIHA land. it's private land that the state has paid money to the landowner to allow public hunting on his/her land.

http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/hunting/...IHA_Atlas.html

iowas has a good amount of public land with allot of birds the past couple of seasons.
as for the dog question-- i read this a while ago-- for every bird you stomp up you walked by three.
the dog has a much better nose than you do
I guide as well and i think mnorth would agree, if you are worried about it hire a guide -- it takes the guess work out of it