Lovely SD Weather...and Roosters
 

Just back to SC after another fun pheasant trip to South Dakota. While bird numbers were down a bit in our area and the weather was atrocious, we actually did well mostly due to our dogs, not our wing shooting ability. We hunted in rain, sleet, frozen ice pellets and snow all blowing steady 20-40 with gusts to 50. No idea how long and wide the scent cone of a rooster is in that kind of wind but it can’t be more than 10 feet- probably less.
Photos:
1. Section Line Road Snow Drifts
2. Friend with a beautiful 16 ga LC and me with Parker VH 12
3. Griffs “Gunny” and “Arcas” with rooster on one of the nice weather days!
4. Find the hiding pheasant! “Arcas” searched for this bird and pointed it in a cut cornfield about 500 yards from where it was shot over a cat tail slough. It was alive and trying to hide. Hint: look for the tail feathers.

It appears you had good prairie weather -- never a dull moment. Dogs make all the difference, don't they? Glad you had a good hunt.

Think we took Rt 36 out of St. Joseph. Beautiful farm country!

If you came out on Rt. 36, you drove by some decent quail country in Missouri and Kansas. Next time you should plan some stops along the way.