Our group had pretty good luck for the Iowa Pheasant Opener. We got into the birds thick and heavy right away in the morning. We had our 11 person limit shortly after noon. It was somewhat surprising considering all the corn that was still in that weekend. It was a perfect morning for hunting though, cool conditions and even some fog in the air kept the birds in the cover. Have not had much luck since then, the weather just has not cooperated. From 50 mph winds to 75 degree days with no wind, just have not been good conditions for finding roosters. We have managed to get a few birds every time out, but hopefully a little cooler weather combined with the rest of the crops coming up should make for some good hunting the rest of the season.

Hey Dan....that looks like it was one nice hunt!!!!! I don't think you shot near enough to feed your group, though. LOL! If I were a pheasant and saw your group coming I would raise the white flag! Is that little white lab in the picture who I think it is?? Nice pictures!

Scott, It defiantly is a group of scary hunters (but not too many good shots!!!!) The pheasant feed that night was outstanding also. Had some real nice dog work that opening morning that I have to credit for our good fortune. I can’t remember a time, where we had so many birds sit so tight on opening day. The heavy wet air had a lot to do with it.

That is the Gabby in the picture (not so little anymore) I did not get her out much that opening day…way too many guys and too many dogs for a pups first hunt. She did retrieve two roosters while I was blocking at the end of one push.

 This past weekend I had more of a chance to get her out. She covered the ground very nice and hunted excellent for a pup. We were headed out of a field in the pickup last weekend driving on a dirt path in a CRP field right beside a creek. A bird happened to pop out of the grass and onto our path and run in front of the truck. We stopped and I let Gabby out of the kennel and went to grab my gun.

Before I could get the gun out of the case, Gabby was already on the path and tracking the bird. I fumbled around for some shells and when I looked to see what she was doing again, there she was on point. She was probably 40 – 50 yards in front of the pickup. She was just off the path in the grass pointing towards the creek. I loaded the gun and walked around the truck to get into position and she never moved. I took a couple of steps in front of her kicking around in the grass and a VERY small rooster popped out of the grass. Must have been about his first flight, the only reason I knew it was a rooster was because of the weak cackle he let out. I choose not to take the shot because it was such a young bird. It was still a nice point though; she probably held it for almost a minute.

I think she is going to turn out to be a dang nice dog from what I have seen at this point.

Looks like a good time was had by all! Congrats on a nice hunt!

That looked like loads of fun.
So great when there are many birds.

Vic

Hey Dan,
Thanks for the story about Gabby's hunt! I have had similiar stories from some of the other littermates' owners.
    Is there any chance that you would sell her back for what you paid?????
I'd be more than willing!!
    Again, nice bunch of birds!!! Nice dogs!!!