Public Land Strategy

[Joe T]

When hunting public lands that are stocked twice, Enzo found no birds; at the preserve last week he found three. What is the best strategy when hunting these public areas - there is just so much territory to cover.  

[blackbeltbill]

10 hours ago, Joe T said:

When hunting public lands that are stocked twice, Enzo found no birds; at the preserve last week he found three. What is the best strategy when hunting these public areas - there is just so much territory to cover.  

After hitting the Fields- try the Hardwoods. Look for some nice Flat Wetlands where Wily Pheasants will be pushed to.

[mowin]

Cover, cover, cover.  Hunt where it's thick and not on the beaten path. 

[Joe T]

2 hours ago, blackbeltbill said:

After hitting the Fields- try the Hardwoods. Look for some nice Flat Wetlands where Wily Pheasants will be pushed to.

There are a number of muddy dried up ponds that I work the perimeter of

[Joe T]

There is plenty of heavy cover but so think I can barely make it through- although I did buy a pair of pruning clippers as I read on this site.  With it so thick I can’t get Enzo away from me- he follows me to get through the thick cover.  Any suggestions or should I find it a little less thick?

[blackbeltbill]

11 hours ago, Joe T said:

There is plenty of heavy cover but so think I can barely make it through- although I did buy a pair of pruning clippers as I read on this site.  With it so thick I can’t get Enzo away from me- he follows me to get through the thick cover.  Any suggestions or should I find it a little less thick?

  Many Fields and areas leading to Wetlands may have frequent Pheasant  Hunter and Hunting Dog Traffic.  By this time of year you should be able to find some. 

  They resemble a Deer trail and probably  are used by Deer by December. 

[ATbuckhunter]

Its been a weird year at the co-ops. Typically I go out mid morning and usually have a couple contacts with birds. This year I got 3 birds November 1st and haven't shot a pheasant since. Even my best spots where birds get pushed too are empty every time I check them out. My dog pointed twice November 12th, but they must have ran on us. A lot of guys are unhappy this year. Not sure if they're stocking less birds (Check station told me the numbers are the same) or if the guys stocking are bsing around. The check station is blaming depredation, but I have a hard time believing they're being picked off that much compared to the last 2 years. Its a night and day difference from the previous two years.

Walk the fields and the woods around the fields. Walking enough and you'll start to learn where the birds get pushed off to and can pick some up.