Last day hunt

[Ironranger]

I'm new to realtree as I've been hanging my hat over at huntamerica.com, huntingnet.com, and monstermuleys.com for some time. Thought I'd post a quick story from my last pheasant hunt of the season.

I decided to take last day of the season in MN off and head out to chase some pheasants in MN. I was dog sitting for one of my hunting buddies so had the father (Chase) and son (Wiley) team working for me. Figured the birds would be ultra spooky and the first spot I hit on the way was just as I thought. They were flying before I got out of the truck. So I headed over to a contact I made last fall and he gave me some private land spots to try. The first was a great CRP section along a river that I saw a ton of birds in last year. The dogs seemed to be birdy from the start but we didn't get any up on the first pass along one side. Then on the way back, they were working close in some thick stuff and got a rooster up about 15 feet in front of me. I'd been having trouble shooting too quick this fall so I took my time, counted to 3, and pulled the trigger. Folded him. Wiley got to him first and retrieved him to me. Man, he was bigger than any pheasant I'd taken in a few years. Later measured the tail feathers at 23 3/4" and he had good spurs and color. On to the next patch of CRP and about half way thru the dogs flushed a hen turkey who shot straight up out of the CRP. Wow, that was cool. We then walked thru a wooded area to the next cover and they flushed a rooster along with a doe probably 15 yards ahead of the bird. He hung in the wind and I knocked him down. That was it for the day and I didn't expect to get birds that were holding that tight so that was a pleasant surprise and a great day in the field.

[Shaun_300]

congrats on your hunt!! beautiful birds. nice dogs too

[Ironranger]

Thanx Shaun 300, it was a great way to end the season. I'm having that bird mounted in a flying pose so I can't wait to get it back. Can't wait till spring time turkey hunting rolls around!!

[Tominator]

Great story, great pic. Thanks for sharing.

Welcome aboard again.

[too_pointer]

Ironranger, I want to get a flying mount also, let me know how it turns out, maybe a pic
too_pointer

[longislandhunter]

nice birds,, congratulations. enjoyed the pics