Pheasant Draw

[ccavacini]

Originally Posted by jschowe

just out of curosity those of you that didn't get drawn are you going to put in for huntington? last i heard there are still openings. what's so much better about the drawn hunt areas than the put and take? i do know for a fact that not all the pheasants are dying off through the winter here. i was out running beagles this summer and got scared half to death by i big rooster i almost stepped on.

There are many DNR properties that offer put and take hunting (Tri-County--Pigeon River) These properties, to me, seem a little better managed than Huntington.

The lottery draw hunt areas are wild birds on land that is exclusively managed for them. It shows what good habitat management can do for wild life. These properties are loaded with birds.

We can all hope that the DNR continues to purchase/lease land that they can manage for pheasant hunting.

[jschowe]

on huntington the coyotes are soo bad they are hard on just about everything but the deer. not sure if the are eating the pheasants or not but it wouldnt' surprise me

[ilovebucks]

i checked and did not get drawn again this year. i was begining to think I was just unlucky but now im thinking its just normal not to get drawn for 5-6 straight years. in fact, it sounds like some of you have been trying for a decade or more and never been drawn.. The DNR definately needs more land for pheasant hunting. The demand is obiously there.....

I do the state put and take hunts every year. It is a pretty good time. I think pigeon river or tri-county are the best. I tried huntington a few times and it always seems like the cover is not as good, there are more hunters per acre/area, and less pheasants.

If you have a good dog it wont matter what area you hunt though... you should kill birds!

[jackc99]

Originally Posted by Tengauge76

Jack, I am looking forward to hearing how you guys do. By the way, when is opening day and how many days do they hunt these properties?

Aaron

Tengauge - I finally got my hands on the hunt paperwork and we are only hunting the McGinnis/Lauerman property. I was sure this was an error and called the DNR but she said on opening day that there should be enough birds in there (40 acres) to keep us busy. I very much doubt it but will go anyway.

Jack

[jschowe]

i think they really manage huntington for the doves more than anything. they're getting it all cut into strips and ready for put and take

[GCMC]

I just got asked to hunt this with a friend who was drawn for this 40 acre area. Has anyone hunted this before? Does it hold any quail? Any info would be a big help as we have never beeen to this property.

[jackc99]

Call Willow Slough and ask the property manager there....219/285-2704

[jackc99]

tengauge - pm me for info on McGinnis-Lauerman. We flushed 9 roosters and 8 hens but did not manage one bird. Once the wind kicked in the birds were flushing way out front. Good day for not killing anything. Dog worked well but could never pin one.



Jack

Just so this post isn't a complete waste I found a picture from a couple of years ago at Pine Creek with better results:

[Stormy]

40 acres is plenty for a small group, in excellent habitat like these areas. Just follow the old rules.... work slowly, keep your dog close without yelling, whistling, beeping or door slamming. Cover it thoroughly twice. These areas, guarantee opportunities, not limits. A good day out for me is a success without birds in the bag if we see birds and get to watch your dog work them.

[1615INV]

We flushed about 25 birds on Woodlock, but they all flushed way ahead of the dogs. The shots we did have were long and we brought 20 gauges with us. This was a great property. Did anyone else hunt this area? If so wondering if the corn was down yet. All the birds flew to the standing corn.