Upland Bird Dog: Upland Bird Hunting

Table of Contents

	A pheasant makes a short get away. To Upland Birds Main Page

2000-2001 General Pheasants
A image essay of our 2000-2001 pheasant season in Southern California. (Pages 2, 3 and 4)

The Southern California pheasant season started with great promise of numerous birds and wonderful weather. Reports from various resources stated this was the best pheasant population in years. Our early field work to condition our dogs and scout fields indicated to us that the pheasant numbers seemed true. However, we also saw many post fields with no hunting and no tresspassing signs. Some of these posted fields were bare with no crop.

On opening day more fields were posted by farmers concerned about their crop. Some farmers posted the night before and provided hunters with little areas to hunt. Famers we talked to indicated that some hunters did not observe the posted signs and were very rude. Hunters need to understand that these fields are private property, and if we wish to continue to hunt in the unposted fields, we must coorporate with the farmers.

Despite the many posted fields we were still able to have a fun season. Our older Pointers, Temis and Max, were outstanding on pheasants. They seemed to know where pheasants are even in the largest of alfalfa fields. They worked the birds until they pointed and most birds were pinned within five yards of their nose. Over the years we have seen hundreds of these points but it seems everyone is spectucular and we have yet to be disinterested. Because both Gary and myself have derby dogs, we worked them more. Sage and Gracie needed wild birds and to learn how to handle them. This learning process was beautiful and fun to watch. In the end, the dogs learned and started to point for longer periods, long enough for us to harvest birds.

This is the 2nd year my son Nick seriously came to run dogs and walk fields. I am thankful he enjoys and share my enthusaim for the great outdoors. If you get a chance, take a kid out hunting.

Please see the images of our 2000 general pheasant hunts. The Southern California pheasant season started with great promise of numerous birds and wonderful weather. Reports from various resources stated this was the best pheasant population in years. Our early field work to condition our dogs and scout fields indicated to us that the pheasant numbers seemed true. However, we also saw many post fields with no hunting and no tresspassing signs. Some of these posted fields were bare with no crop.

The cock pheasant was hidden in the tall alfalfa just between Temis and the sudan. The bird cackled as it flapped it's wings.

This image was taken some distance away but I still managed to get in front of her to flush out a hen.

Sage (Champion Whippoorwill Wild Card x Champion Heyu Victory Dancer) runs with a crackling tail and tremendous desire for birds. Her stamina is unbelievable. She is wonderful bird dog with great attributes including being bidable. Notice the orange collar to distunguish her from other Pointers while in the field.

Sportman Gary Gentile with Gracie, a pup, out of Go Boy Shadow lineage, and two pheasants. Although small in stature, Gracie has tremendous heart and endurance to match her tenacity for birds. She has the makings of a good pheasant dog.

Temis and myself admiring our harvest.

These spurs are sharp and long. Spurs are used in the matting season and for defending against predators. Once birds are harvested and cleaned, spurs can be used to identify them as cock birds and to help determine their age.