ShopPosts Tagged ‘South Dakota’
Please Don’t Name Your Bird Dog “Bob”
Friday, November 18th, 2011
PF's Matt Morlock and his English setter, Bob
I am an admitted bird dog name snob. I realize that and also admit to having named my bird dog after a has-been baseball player from two decades ago – Trammell. All that said; I encountered a new dynamic with a bird dog on this year’s Rooster Road Trip in South Dakota.
Have you ever been in a field with two hunters named Mike? Sure, it’s a little confusing, but at least both Mikes can speak for themselves. However, I bet you haven’t been hunting a field with a bird dog that responds to the same name to which you respond, have you? Humorously, that’s exactly what happened with Matt Morlock’s English setter, Bob, and I yesterday.
Matt and I are friends, but rarely have an opportunity to hunt together. Consequently, we walked the fields next to each other for an opportunity to chat. The name confusion arose in the middle of a cattail stand that towered over both our heads. A rooster flushed in front of Matt and he made a nice swinging shot to drop the bird in the middle of the cattails. That’s when the instructions for “Bob” to do this and do that began. Add a howling wind to the tall cattails and you can imagine my confusion about what I was supposed to be doing and what “Bob” the dog was being ordered to do. It made for a fantastic rendition of “Who’s on First.”
Follow Pheasants Forever’s Rooster Road Trip 2011 at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org, on Facebook , YouTube, and Twitter (#rrt11).
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
Pheasant Hunting Intelligence from South Dakota Locals
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
The Rooster Road Trip parked in the pheasant capital of South Dakota last evening. Joining us for Thursday’s public lands pheasant hunt will be fellow Pheasants Forever co-workers and SoDak residents Matt Morlock and Mike Stephenson.
Morlock is a Farm Bill biologist and a habitat expert. Stephenson is the regional field representative working with all of PF’s chapters in the top pheasant state. As South Dakota residents, they are obviously seasoned pheasant hunters and spend most of their hunting time on public lands.
Over a tray of mini tacos at Sandy’s Bar in Emery, I pumped the guys for pheasant hunting tips only the locals would know. Here’s what they had to offer.
“Find the small spots,” whispered Morlock. “Everyone focuses on the big public lands spots, but most overlook the little ones. A couple of guys and dogs can really clean up on little GPAs, walk-ins and WPAs in South Dakota because these littler areas don’t get near the hunting pressure as the big ones.”
“Take your time,” added Stephenson. “People see the early flushing pheasants and panic. They start to run after those flushing birds, but you have to realize you’re not hunting those birds. You should be focused on the ones that are holding tighter, so take your time and let your dog use its nose.”
So armed with those tidbits of local South Dakota pheasant wisdom, we’re ready to release the dogs. It’s time to pheasant hunt the pheasant capital. It’s 10AM.
Follow Pheasants Forever’s Rooster Road Trip 2011 at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org, on Facebook , YouTube, and Twitter (#rrt11).
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
World’s Largest Pheasant Has Some Work Done
Friday, July 15th, 2011
The "World's Largest Phesaant" in Huron, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Dakota Inn
From the “Only in South Dakota” section of today’s news, the “World’s Largest Pheasant” in Huron, South Dakota, is undergoing a restoration. Looks like it will be in tip top shape to greet pheasant hunters this October.
From KELOLAND Television:
A committee in Huron has raised $20,000 restore the “World’s Largest Pheasant.”
The group has also raised $8,000 from businesses and residents to maintain the pheasant for the next 10 years.
A sign at the statue will list all names of donors.
Local artist Schaun Schnathorst and his brother, Bob Carlson, have been working on the 40-foot-long by 28-foot-tall bird since May. They’ve been doing repairs, priming and painting.
It’s scheduled for completion in August, weather permitting.
Field Notes are written and compiled by Anthony Hauck Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org and follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauck.
Hungarian Partridge: The Most Under-Rated Game Bird
Sunday, June 19th, 2011
Photo courtesy of Roger Hill
What upland bird flushes in a covey like quail, occupies the big grasslands of the West, rivals pheasant as table fare, and is open to hunting as early as September 1st in some states? The answer: Hungarian partridge.
Also known as a gray partridge, “Huns” are larger than a bobwhite quail, but smaller than a hen pheasant. The males have a beautiful chestnut colored horseshoe mark on their breast, but it’s difficult to identify gender on the wing. Although upland hunters encounter Huns from Illinois to Oregon, the highest Hun concentrations exist in Montana, North Dakota and across the border into Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
If you’ve been in search of Huns before, you know they occupy slightly different grassland habitat than pheasants or sharp-tailed grouse. In particular, Huns tend to be found around wheat fields and seem to relate to “structure.” By “structure,” I’m referring to that lone bush in an expanse of grass or that rock pile in the middle of a cut wheat field. For whatever reason, Huns connect with those odd places on the landscape. I also have had tremendous success targeting Huns near abandoned farmsteads.
Photo courtesy of Roger Hill
My favorite aspect of hunting Huns is their propensity to hold well for a pointing bird dog. Additionally, after the first flush, one can often mark a landing covey to get a second chance. Don’t count on a third opportunity though. It’s been my experience that a covey of Huns’ second flush sends them into the neighboring area code.
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
Can You Name That Classic Shotgun?
Friday, June 17th, 2011
A 1921 South Dakota hunt near Lake Thompson.
Pheasants Forever member Robert R. Waring, Georgetown, Texas, sent this photo of his father Roy James Waring (1898-1988) after a 1921 hunt near Lake Thompson, South Dakota, his home state.
Roy’s fowling piece is a common one, but the story is unique. Robert tells me his father purchased the gun second-hand in 1920 for $50, two weeks wages back then!
“My dad was an excellent shot. I still have that shotgun and will someday pass it on to my grandsons,” Robert wrote.
In case you’re interested, the vehicle is a 1921 Ford Model T roadster. “In 1923, dad purchased a Dodge coupe with a heater and windup windows. He was tired of freezing to death in the T, which had neither.” Robert wrote.
Like his son today, Roy hunted into his 80s. “Dad taught me how to hunt and obey the safety rules. I still go to South Dakota to hunt pheasant every year.”
What an inspiring story. Pheasants Forever has the most dedicated members and hardcore hunters! I’ll post the answer Monday.
Answer: The gun, of course, is a Winchester Model 12, 12 gauge with 30-inch barrel….perfect for shooting the many ducks he has hanging from the Model T.
The Model 12 was, appropriately enough, first made in 1912. We’re all pretty familiar with this gun, so here’s some Model 12 war history you may not know: More than 80,000 Model 12 “trench” models were purchased during World War II by the United States Marine Corps, Army Air Forces and Navy, mostly for use in the Pacific war (1941-45) against the fanatical Japanese who were fond of mass suicide charges when things went bad for them – making the Model 12 a perfect defensive weapon in such instances.
It was also used against the North Koreans (June 1950) and Chinese, who invaded in October 1950, during the Korean War and against the North Vietnamese in the Vietnam War (American involvement was from 1950-1973). So many Model 12s were sold to the military, that few were available for civilian use, thus opening up the market for Ithaca to produce and sell a similar shotgun.
The Nomad is written by Mark Herwig, Editor of the Pheasants Forever Journal and Quail Forever Journal. Have a classic photo you’d like to share? Send your pre-1980 upland hunting related photo to Mark at MHerwig@pheasantsforever.org
My Five Bird Hunts before The Rapture
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
Moments before The Rapture
You may have heard California’s Rapture-predicting preacher has revised his math. It turns out the world is going to end on October 21st instead of May 21st as originally warned. What’s that mean to a bird hunting fanatic like me? With some bird hunting seasons opening up in mid September, I estimate to have about five bird hunting weekends left before the planet explodes.
Here are the five hunts I’d like to make happen before the coming autumn Rapture.
1) Yooper Grouse Opener: It’s a family tradition to return back home to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to open the ruffed grouse season with Dad & Mom. If the world is coming to an end, this one is the most important for me to squeeze in one more time.
2) Hells Canyon: While I hope to be headed north, not south, following The Rapture, I have to chase birds in Hells Canyon one time before I die. While I’ve never been there, I’ve read about and been told stories of magical days in which hunters have shot pheasants, quail, grouse, chukar and Huns all in a single day.
3) Fort Pierre Prairie Grouse: In the last two seasons, I have fallen in love with the Fort Pierre National Grasslands. Although my pup has had close encounters with rattle snakes and porcupines, I have experienced some of my most memorable days afield in search of prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse.
4) Pheasant Opener: It has become a treasured tradition to open the Minnesota pheasant season at the cabin of FAN Outdoors radio host’s Billy Hildebrand in central Minnesota.
5) A Walk Alone: I enjoy time spent afield with others; however, given my druthers, my most treasured hunts are alone behind my shorthair. It seems that if the world is going to end, I’d find peace walking a patch of prairie with my pup Trammell.
Knowing the world is coming to an end early this fall’s hunting season, what will be your final five hunts?
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
Training Your Hunting Dog to Drink
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
My GSP, Trammell, takes a drink from a squirt bottle during a warm day afield.
I received the following message via Twitter from @bulldog2012 yesterday:
My GSP won’t stop to drink water out in the field, any ideas?
I admitted to @bulldog2012 that my shorthair also often refuses water in the field, so I promised to get some expert guidance from a few pro dog trainers. This morning, I sent emails on the topic to Purina’s Bob West, SportDOG’s Clay Thompson and Oak Ridge Kennel’s Tom Dokken and received some fantastic guidance.
A Rinsing Squirt
I’ve always approached canine hydration in the field from a perspective of, “I’ve gotta get my pup to drink a cup of water.” Turns out I’ve been wrong all along.
Bob West explained the importance of a rinsing squirt of water. “People stay cool by sweating across their entire body. Dogs, on the other hand, regulate their heat through panting by drawing air across their tongue and back of their throat. Panting is a dog’s single method to cool down,” West continued, “As a canine exercises in the heat, mucus forms in their mouth and on their tongue. As a hunter, you need to give your bird dog just enough water to give them a little hydration and, as important, water to rinse the mucus from their tongue to keep the pup’s heat regulation system operating efficiently.”
West went on to explain that, in fact, he doesn’t want a dog to “drink” too much water. “Hunters DO need to be ‘forcing’ water on their dogs before the pup is thirsty. A thirsty dog will gulp water, which adds extra air into the stomach leading to bloating and twisting; bad news for your pup.”
Sit, Stay, Squirt
Clay Thompson echoed West’s thoughts and reiterated the importance of training bird dogs to drink from a squirt bottle. “I use a water bottle in the field to make it easier on me, because I do not have to bend over to give the dog a drink of water with this method.”
Pheasants Forever stocks the WingWorks Vest which includes two built-in squirt water bottle holders.
Don’t Give your Dog Gatorade
If you’re like me, you make assumptions. I’ve always assumed that Gatorade’s ability to replace electrolytes in me would be equally beneficial to my bird dog. Not only am I wrong, I could have killed my own dog with this logic.
“Dogs don’t lose electrolytes,” explained West. “In fact, adding additional electrolytes to a dog’s system during times of heat stress can actually speed up the dehydration process.”
Thompson reiterated West’s guidance, “Gatorade or other drinks of this type should not be used with dogs, because they are designed to replace electrolytes, salts and other nutrients that people lose when we sweat. Since dogs can’t sweat, human drinks are giving dogs things they do not need as well as unnecessary extra sugars.”
The Finicky Dog and Peanut Butter
No dog can resist peanut butter. That logic has helped Tom Dokken convince even the finickiest of pups to consume water during a hunt. Check out Dokken in this SportDOG training video.
Later this month, SportDOG also plans to launch a new product called Canine Athlete Hydration. “Our new Canine Athlete Hydration product is liver flavored to entice the most finicky dogs to drink, and it has been specifically formulated to benefit bird dogs,” explained Thompson. “It also comes in convenient packaging for the hunter in the field.”
Remembering the Bird Dog Deaths of 2003
Young dogs and over-weight dogs are the most susceptible to heat-related problems. It’s important for your bird dog to be in shape all off-season as you prepare for opening day.
We need to simply look back to October 2003 for proof. That year, 90 degree temps greeted South Dakota hunters for the pheasant opener. Tragically, that weekend’s heat led to hundreds of bird dog deaths. When it’s hot, be sure to monitor your dog’s demeanor and appearance. Specifically, be sure to check your pup’s tongue color. The darker the red of the tongue, the hotter your dog is becoming.
Lastly, it’s important to know that severe heat stress events can impact your dog’s long term health and damage your dog’s heat regulation system forever.
Thanks to @bulldog2012 for the great question and blog topic. If you’ve got an idea for a blog topic, go ahead and drop it in the comment section below or send me a message through Twitter @BobStPierre.
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
October 2011
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Are you counting the days till October too?
As the snow falls out the window behind me again today, I can’t help but think about pheasant hunting season. Apparently, I’m not alone. According to our website’s analytics, the most commonly searched term driving pheasant hunters to our website the last few weeks is “October 2011.”
My hunch is that folks are already planning their 2011 fall pheasant hunting calendar. While not all states have announced their 2011 pheasant seasons yet, I’ve been able to find opening day dates online for most of the top pheasant hunting destinations. So here you go!
2011 Pheasant Hunting Opening Days
(These dates are tentative, please be sure to check your state’s regulations)
Colorado Not announced till July
Iowa Saturday, October 29
Kansas Saturday, November 12
Montana Saturday, October 8
Minnesota Saturday, October 15
Nebraska Saturday, October 29
North Dakota Saturday, October 8
Ohio Not announced till July
South Dakota Saturday, October 15
Wisconsin Saturday, October 15
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
Meet a National Board Member: Bill Zehnder
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
Frankenmuth, Michigan's Bill Zehnder
As a non-profit, Pheasants Forever operates under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors. That guidance takes many forms, but boiled down, the board is responsible for ensuring Pheasants Forever operates in the best interest of our members and also helps shape our vision for the future. There are currently 16 individuals on the national board and they meet three times a year.
Through this new series of blog posts, I’ll introduce each of our national board members and share some of their personality and passion for our organization. Up today is Bill Zehnder.
Bill Zehnder
Born in what town: Frankenmuth, Michigan
Current Town of Residence: Frankenmuth, Michigan
Family: Wife (Karen), 4 daughters, 2 sons-in-law and 4 grandchildren
Occupation: Restaurant and Hotel Owner/Operator
Dogs: Large and Small Munsterlanders
Favorite place to pheasant hunt: South Dakota
Favorite pheasant hunting shotgun: Benelli
Best pheasant hunt of your life was: About 10 years ago when we were hunting pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse, I came upon a covey of grouse. At that time I was using a Browning square-back A-5 gun that held 5 shells. Five birds got up and I emptied the shotgun. All my hunting partners were spread out along a ridge watching the whole experience and saw me drop all five birds (much to my surprise!). I look at it as a “hole in one” in upland bird hunting and something that will never be replicated again, primarily because I don’t carry that heavy shotgun any more.
How did you first get involved with Pheasants Forever?
Twenty plus years ago, my dad was pheasant hunting in Nebraska and went to an early Pheasants Forever banquet there. He came back home and decided, “hey, we’ve got to do this here in Michigan.” He was the founding President and Chairman/Chapter leader of the Saginaw County Pheasants Forever Chapter some 25 years ago.
What is your favorite aspect about serving on the National Board?
I enjoy the ability to interact with some high quality, conservation-minded individuals. And, I also enjoy working toward instilling the conservation and land stewardship ethic in our youth.
What is the single biggest challenge facing Pheasants Forever in the future?
Funding is always a challenge, as well as creating awareness amongst the population of how important conservation practices are to our air, our food, our water and the quality of life that we enjoy here in America.
Previous Blog Profiles of National Board Members
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
Meet a National Board Member: Diane Lueck
Thursday, February 17th, 2011
If you know Diane, then you know she always smiles this much!
As a non-profit, Pheasants Forever operates under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors. That guidance takes many forms, but boiled down, the board is responsible for ensuring Pheasants Forever operates in the best interest of our members and also helps shape our vision for the future. There are currently 18 individuals on the national board and they meet three times a year.
Through this new series of blog posts, I’ll introduce each of our national board members and share some of their personality and passion for our organization. Up today is Diane Lueck.
Diane Lueck
Born in what town: Coloma, Wisconsin
Current Town of Residence: Friendship, Wisconsin
Family: Spouse Gary
Occupation: Teach Natural Resources and Biology at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Dogs: Derby, a flat-coated retriever (and Pheasants Forever Dog Life Member)
Favorite place to pheasant hunt: South Dakota, anywhere!
Favorite pheasant hunting shotgun: 1970s vintage 20 gauge Ithaca over/under
Best pheasant hunt of your life was: With Pheasants Forever Board members near Clark, South Dakota. I was lost somewhere under the willows and grasses for part of that hunt; uncertain where the birds were, as I am too short to see anything in those conditions! I needed to unload my gun and crawl out. I did limit eventually, and loved the challenge. There were LOTS of birds!
How did you first get involved with Pheasants Forever? I was international director of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program (BOW), and PF was a generous and long-term sponsor. PF was actively looking for a woman educator and hunter to be a board member, and it could not have been a better fit for me.
What is your favorite aspect about serving on the National Board?
I love the fact that we are so driven by protecting and creating habitat across the country. I am amazed at the effect our members can have on policy issues at the national level. Our staffers are so dedicated and excellent, and so accessible to the members. I love the opportunity to help promote new initiatives, such as No Child Left Indoors®. The other board members are some of the best people I have ever known. What DON’T I like about being on the board!!
What is the single biggest challenge facing Pheasants Forever in the future? Diminishing habitat and lower hunter numbers. I think our youth initiatives, education committees in chapters, and the National Youth Leadership Council are crucial for future growth of both the organization and of the attitudes that will protect habitat and hunting. Our young people are the ones who will very soon be affecting and implementing policy at the local and national levels. Getting youth involved with Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever now will build a great constituency for the future.
Previous Blog Profiles of National Board Members
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
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