Glad you get the opportunity to hunt some Kansas birds, Kenny, and thanks for taking the time to post about it and bring back some memories for me.

I grew up hunting Kansas quail with my grandfather and his buddy in the 50's and 60's. They got to know all the farmers and seldom were we turned down when asking permission to hunt, but I also remember they took some gifts to smooth the way. They knew that one guy might appreciate a bottle of whiskey and another maybe a box of chocolates for his wife. Always a thermos of hot chocolate along for me after walking the fields for a while on a cold day. Back then the hunting rig was a station wagon with the dogs in the back. Nothing like hunting those wild birds.

Eldridge Hardie "Last Covey"

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"Holding on the Fenceline"
One of my favorites. End of the day, hunter to tired to raise the gun, dogs still finding birds :)

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"Last Half Hour"

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Hodgeman Wildlife Area, southeast of Jetmore, KS courtesy of Maynard Reece Byrd

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../335770680.jpg

and courtesy of Bro. Phil :)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../377189566.jpg

re: Kansas dirt/gumbo. It took one painful lesson to learn that a farm 2-track is easy to drive down, in the morning, when it's below freezing, before the sun comes up. 4 hours late that 2-track is 6" of mud :(

This is Dakota dirt; better than Kansas. Most of the Canada topsoil got deposited by the glaciers north of Kansas. Topsoil around Presho S. Dakota (and central Ill.) can be 3' thick

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../337741340.jpg

Kansas is good for this though :)

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I've hunted the Hill City area off and on for the last ten years. Lots of walk in hunting, one of the mistakes I made several years ago was being there for opening deer season!
Lots of bobwhites two years ago!!!

We always hunt the week of the deer opener. Its when we can get off work. Its never been a issue as the deer hunters are in the bottoms and wooded areas. A feller would not want to tress pass at this time...eyes are everywhere. We have had the game wardens check us out the past two years, they are nice guys if your not doing wrong!!! Its a fun time in Kansas, lots going on....(-: SXS Ohio

Hill City birds and Hill City girls - as good as it gets :)!

(You can guess where my wife's from!)

Many years ago when there were check-in stations along I-70 during Ks. deer season, a fella pulled in to brag that quail weren't so hard to find and show off the 12 he had in the bed of his pickup...western meadowlarks...KS state bird...$100 each :shock:

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One of my best friends is in Kansas right now, around Norton, and keeps texting me pictures of the pheasant and quail at the end of the day. I should have gone with him-shoulda, woulda, coulda--damn, I need to retire. At least I get to enjoy his and your success during lunch.

My grandfather's used combines like those. My grandmother was raised in Jetmore. X brother in law from Norton. My other brother in law worked at money Chevrolet in hill city. By golly. Great sunset picture Drew. ch

More Kansas stuff here Calvin
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20611291

https://docs.google.com/document/pub...RP8RxdCmmQ3Ct0