7 January An advantage of Kansas upland bird region has over that of Iowa and the Dakotas is that while Kansas does get snow, it does not last long on the ground. The general quick melt off allows for field waste grain re-exposure. This picture series is from January 5 in north Kansas, daytime high temperatures in the 40's.
The intent of the volume of pictures is to show that waste grain is not a localized, but a wide spread wildlife food source.
There was far more corn than the milo pictured above.
The rural roads while is some areas are impassible do to melting snow drifts making the mud roads too slick to travel there are plenty of improved dirt surface roads to allow access to most farms. These road pictures are from January 5 as well and from our north central Kansas leases.
The next 15 day long range forecast (using Kansas City as a central reference point) shows day time highs above freezing with three scattered chances of rain/sleet/snow. That is about as good as it gets for January. As it stands now there is very little reason to stay home and every reason to get in a late season hunt.
There are plenty of places to hunt and much habitat to walk as the quail cover below.
Those traveling from out of state should pick up where they left off from previous trips and expand out to different regions. Past good hunts during the early season may not produce once winter weather effects have taken hold. All should come prepared with a Plan A, B and C, with each in a different upland bird region. Traveling to a new region to include one not previous productive may, once the cover has been beaten by wind and snow become productive for any given dog power and hunting style.
There are birds to be hunted.
In this case a rooster while on a quail hunt.
And, lots of food.
Better in the field than at home.
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