South Dakota in the Snow

[Bruce Day]

Several PGCA members met in central South Dakota last weekend at a family farm for late season, wild bird, pheasant hunting. Following are a few photos. There will be an article in the Parker Pages for the benefit of PGCA members.

[Double Play]

Thanks for the pics Bruce, they bring back some good memories. I could almost smell Sue's cooking thru my monitor. By the way does it always snow when Josh is on the trip?

[ch]

Nothin like snow to slow thoes rooster's down. Did you get some rooster's to shoot that stayed sitting while pointed? Not the best sentance but I think you get the point. Thank's for the pictures Bruce been patiently waiting. ch

[Blind Dog]

Bruce, Drove out to Aberdeen, SD on the 11th (20 hour drive). 12 of us rented a SDF&G "lodge" at Mina for the week. We hunted mostly on private land 30 miles WSW of there with some forays on public walk ons. Had a great time; many, many birds; took the young Pointer and the GSP pup, a first for both on wild birds (it's not really "Pointer " country); the weather was beautiful, except, 40mph west winds for three days or so. The forecast called for a snow storm on Friday night. Got out of "Dodge" Friday afternoon and outran it down to Council Bluffs, then East for home. See you stuck around for the white stuff.

Fred

[JLoew]

Larry- it always snows when I go hunting. It stands as a great reminder as to why I moved to NC.

We have many wonderful photos so the Parker Pages article should be a neat one!

[Bruce Day]

We got many points and tight holding roosters. In the snow, we almost had to kick them out. Charlie climbed a tree to get one to fly.

In heavy winds, they will flush wild, but if you get snow and cold, they hold in good cover.
I've closed the season ( Dec 30) east and north of Aberdeen. Lots of birds but lots of snow, winds and cold, -6 or below even.
Always have great food, always cherry pie for me and we have a dinner at Carla's of prime rib as big as the plate.

Lots of deer and Chris was following us in the truck on Sat to see if we chased out a buck. 12 year old boy in our scout troop shot a 250lb buck, don't know how many points, his second deer. Then he shot a doe the other day. Will feed the family all year.

Lost a dead rooster to a coyote, seems like I dropped the bird about on top of a coyote in a thick cattail marsh and I couldn't find it until I saw the back end of a coyote about 15 feet away, which then took off and I didn't have a clear shot until he was about 25 yards out. I hit him in the back end with a load of 7 1/2's which just made him light the afterburners. I took a second shot from about 40 yards out but no effect. Found a pile of feathers where he had been.

[Opening Day]

Sound's like everyone had one "hell" of a time. Wish I had been with you guys....

[John D.]

Originally Posted by Larry Frey

....By the way does it always snow when Josh is on the trip?

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__________________

I was thinking the EXACT SAME THING when I saw that picture!!!

Back on topic...

Looks like you gents had a GREAT time!! I really missed not being there, and not making breakfast, and not having to listen to Mozart in my iPod at 3AM, and not getting a piece of cherry p... Oh well - you know..

I love hunting wild birds with great friends over wonderful dogs... Which begs the question - where are the dog pictures!!??!!

Best to you guys - and glad you all had a safe and great trip!

John

[Bruce Day]

Somebody kept us awake with their snoring, couldn't have been me.

So , fresh baked rolls, brocoli salad, slabs of ham, mashed potatos, honey off the farm, fresh corn, cherry pie. Then at Carla's, huge salad bar, major slab of cow, potatoes, desert bar, ice cream sundae, $18.

Pete brought several cases of Grain Belt beer. In the past, when he was growing potatoes, he would bring several sacks of Yukon Golds, but lately, its been too wet in the Red River Valley and they would rot.

[Bruce Day]

JLo