Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

2012 ROOSTER REPORTS


Arago

Recommended Posts

More birds because there are no crops. Typical opener we have at least 50% of crops yet in the field.

Its encouraging to see the birds, but I hope the foul weather gets here soon because I am not interested in holding hands across a field to hunts birds with all those other yahoos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On Monday on 2 different outings I saw 15 birds total. 8 hens 7 roosters in 4 hours total. All public land in southern Blue Earth County.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Saw birds but they were as jumpy as they usually are late in the year and they were bunched together. Not that many singles. Ended up with 3 birds between my son and I over the weekend on private land. Southwest BE county and Watonwan county. Bird numbers are definitely way down this year. If I had to drive more than the 3-5 miles I drive to get to my spots it may be tempting to stay home or drive to a part of the state where there were more birds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hunted ruffs instead of ditch parrots and enjoyed a much quieter weekend in the woods because of it. After deer season it will be clown bird time again. Then I'll have all the CRP (what's left of it anyway) largely to myself.

Can't wait wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son & I hunted some public land on Thursday in SW MN. Moved quite a few birds & many of them were pretty jumpy. We ended up with 3 & some very wet clothing by the end of the day laugh

Only ran into one other guy & his son at the end of the day & they shot 1 & mentioned they thought the birds were also very jumpy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 40 mph winds probably had something to with the birds being jumpy. If you shot three in that wind and rain you did well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Didn't plan on going this weekend, but had to give it another try after getting skunked on opener. Got a 2 man limit on public land Saturday afternoon and got one on Sunday morning. Saw lots of birds on Saturday and only got up two on Sunday. Some birds sat tight and some birds would run. One rooster was pretty light colored and the rest were first year birds.

I don't think there will be too many around late season, so I would get out if you have a chance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Dad and brother got limits on Sat and Sun of opener while I was elk hunting. I went out for about 45 minutes today and got my limit with my 4 year old boy in tow. He loved it! saw about 15. Had a great teachable moment when he asked why I didnt shoot a hen that got up. He already knew we dont shoot hens and he knew what a hen looked like, but at 4 he couldnt put the two together. Pretty cute.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A pheasant observation is this kinda true I'd think.....but my area had tons of them a couple weeks ago, I'm sure there's some around of course, but day to day it can vary greatly I'd guess, now we aren't seeing much even the few days before this overcast/fog/drizzle/rain/snow etc. we all of a sudden they seemed to vanish, farm fields are the same as well no change since we saw tons of them ? 1 day they're there thick and the next you can't find a bird so it can be really hit or miss. None of this land has seen a hunter all fall.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good to hear some areas are getting some birds.

Few friends with good dogs have been out and to say that it was poor may be overrating it.

It was bad last year and not much better this.

Tons of birds in Mn, you talking pigeons Musky??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

got out for a half hour yesterday and .....shot my limit. Just wanted to go for a walk with the little boy and lady luck smiled on me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With the crops being out this early it has been a perfect storm for pheasant hunting. I have run my GSP pup every night since opener we have have encountered have dozen + pheasants each time out. With the little bit of new moisture it has been night and day difference in dog work. South Central MN has been the majority of hunting but also SW MN has been phenomenal on private.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SE North Dakota looks promising this year. I spent just a couple hours out last Saturday. Good #'s in that short amount of time. Ended up with 1. Missed 2 others.

My brother walked once this am and got his 3 before noon.

#'s are up in this area.

Neil

Upland Game Adventures

OutdoorFree

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been having a great year. Not great numbers, but consistently seeing birds, and have a few in the freezer. Its pure joy being out there with a good dog. Lots of nice tight points, great dog work. Weather has been great. Just LOVE pheasant hunting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got out with my Dad and a good buddy this weekend. I also brought my two little boys along for the walk. We hunted just under 2 hours and got our 6 bird limit. Beautiful day and great hunting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have a sweet spot that I won't even say what county, it's a WPA three hours away from me, and it's been good to me a couple times. I hope it stays that way until late November. Otherwise I haven't seen or heard many local birds. Gotta go very extreme west or southwest in MN to see much for birds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

deer hunting this last weekend, so no roosters shot. But holy cow, it is gonna be a great last 2 months of the season, I will tell ya that!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't been pheasant hunting in Minnesota yet, but sure put the hurt on the birds during the SD opening week. When you have your two man limit at 12:10 every day, it kinda makes for a boring trip.

full-1003-26167-sd2012.jpg

full-1003-26168-sd20122.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Been out each of the last 3 days and saw lots of hens. Only saw 2 roosters and they got up together. They were pointed by 1 of my weims and backed by the other. That's a sweet sight! I got 1 and swung to the other and couldn't tell what it was because the sun was behind it so I let it go...as i brought my gun down it cackled at me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't been out in MN this year, but there are pockets of great numbers in NW NoDak. I have the privilege of driving thousands of miles off road every month driving to different oil sites, so I get to scout for free. A few days ago we saw at least 200 birds. A lot were on posted land but there were plenty of birds on open land. A lot of sharpies up by the Crosby area too. Nice to be able to get a little more shooting after your pheasant bag is full.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

So how did it end up for you? I had a very good season, 18 birds shot in Minnesota (only 1 prior to the middle of November due to elk and deer seasons). Given the luke warm expectations, I felt this was a very good year. Our 2 best places produced 45 roosters this year which was a very solid year. I was happy to get my kids out and some friends that I havent hunted with out for some good shooting as well. Pretty darn good year hunting roosters if you ask me. The year got better as it went along, the last 3 times out we did really well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.