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.

[Larry Frey]

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?

[calvin humburg]

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

[Fred Preston]

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

[Josh Loewensteiner]

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.

[Eric Eis]

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

[John Dunkle]

....By the way does it always snow when Josh is on the trip?
:rotf:
_________ :rotf:
__________________ :rotf:

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

[Bruce Day]

:rotf:
_________ :rotf:
__________________ :rotf:

... Which begs the question - where are the dog pictures!!??!!


John

John this was my first year in 12 hunting without Shortstop my pointer out of Elhew Snakefoot line. And Pete lost his old pointer also. But Triple is doing fine and is fun to watch in the field. We are in the snow, I had seen a rooster creeping along and put Triple where she would cross his path. She runs and halts at the tracks and starts tracking the wrong way. I tell her to whoa and point the other direction and tell her to go that way, and SHE DOES. How does that work? And she's female!

[jerrybucci]

nothing like hunting roosters in the snow

Nice

[John Dunkle]

J....and point the other direction and tell her to go that way, and SHE DOES. How does that work? And she's female! That's normal - at least in my world???

When I tell a female to "WHOA" and "go away" - they always do..????

It also keeps my wife happy....

Which - well - ultimately keeps me happy. When my wife is unhappy - my life is made unhappier than hers - by her...?

Now - I'll ask you the same...

....How does that work?....

I have absolutely no idea...

;)

John

[Bruce Day]

Seems like it always is cold and snows when we go late season. We drove by the Gerauld County courthouse ( one block away from the cafe) hoping to get some pictures of the Occupy South Dakota people, but we didn't find anybody there. I suppose they were all up at the bar at the VFW club, don't know, we could never find them.

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Photos of the "Occupy" South Dakota protesters will be shared in the Parker Pages for PGCA Members to enjoy.

[Daryl Corona]

Bruce,
Sorry to hear of your loss of Shortstop. I too loss my pointing lab Parker this year very suddenly. He was only 9 1/2 but you would never have known he was'nt a 3 yr. old. They leave us way too soon. I took 2 new dogs out with me this year and it really eased the pain. Thanks for the photos- looks like you all had a great time.
Daryl Corona-Amateur dog trainer and professional dog lover.

PS- That's Parker in my avatar with the last two birds killed over him in 2010.