Nebraska Sandhills Sharptail Shootout

[Bruce Day]

Some of us have a team entered in this September's Sharptail Shootout in the Nebraska Sandhills. We have a Parker only team and the competition is to each bag our limit and the team limit out with five people and no more than 25 shells. So, I know that folks come a ways to do this and if there are other Parker guys on other teams, give me a heads up and we'll look for you. We'll be listed as Team Parker. Its kind of a big deal out here but then, its either this or watching the corn grow.

Each team has about 4000 acres to hunt alone so we will do some big walking and the dogs will need to cover ground.

[King Brown]

It's of dreams for me; maybe some day. Sharptails should taste good. Do they?

[Duckman]

Sharptails are fine to eat but I always liked prarie chicken a little better.
FYI while working in Halsey, Nebraska on the Nebraska National Forest, I participated in the first Sharptail Shootout at Mullen. Should have won but one team member couldn't hit them. That was the first time I worked my dog, a lab, with another fellows pointer, a vizla. Proved to be a deadly combo. I forget the year but it was around 1981 or so. Often thought I would like to do it again sometime.
-plc-

[Bruce Day]

Its dark meat and treat it like mallard or medium rare steak. I think its good, but I know some don't like it.

[ch]

Gonna shoot your 16? Sounds like a hoot!

[ken wight]

Sharptail is my favorite bird to hunt and great tasting, check out teriyaki sharptail in the recipe section in the hunting forum.

[Sam Ogle]

Bruce;
That's my old hunting ground area. I lived and worked in Thedford for almost all my young adult life. Was in the Bank at Thedford 20 years, and worked in the Hardware Store/Lumber yard 3 years as well.
In the 50's; the Prairie Chicken and Grouse were different birds: One could spot them on a meadow eating the aftergrowth clover, (which came on after they had cut the hay,) and, not slamming your car doors, could actually walk up close enough to shoot them when they flushed. Then, you simply watched where the remainders flew to, maybe 300-400 yards away, and did it again.
Today, if you get them up,they fly for miles.
I wish you a great time and best luck. It to me, is God's country.
Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE

[Bruce Day]

To many, it is fly-over country. They look out the window of the airplane and say that there is nothing down there, or if driving, they say its a boring drive.

To me, its a pretty area. Photos will follow.