September 2008 Updates page 4
8 September
A couple reminders for all, that will hopefully prove valuable through the up coming bird season.
Most all of us, with the onslaught of climate change, have experienced the all too often conditions of excessively warm days and/or windy days during the upland bird season.
Obviously, excessively warm days are very hard on our hunting dogs and can even be life threatening. Carrying water and working our dogs for much shorter periods of time in the field is a must, but one strategy that may prove helpful is to begin the hunt at first light (something that a lot of us upland hunters don't normally engage in) while it is still relatively cool and some dew may well be present to improve scenting conditions.
Likewise, the last 2 hours of daylight can be productive as well, rather than wearing out hunter and dog (all day long), trying to chase the birds through the heat of the day. Although many of us travel a long distance and want to "hit it hard", putting hunter and dog on the ground in extremely warm conditions rarely results in the satisfaction or rewards we seek in upland bird hunting. Better to hunt early and late and "hang out" during the middle of the day, scout properties or visit with locals regarding the hatch or maybe even visit a wetland to scout for waterfowl.
Of particular interest to me, is the suggestion of how to handle windy days, later in the season.
I am talking about the days when it is howling, gusting winds of 25-40 mph are the most frustrating of all. Again, we have likely traveled far and for us dedicated bird hunters, we know the results of hunting in these conditions. The vast majority of birds, being skittish due to the wind, will be jumping at 50 yards or more and the chances of shooting a bird or two over solid points is a rarity indeed. Solution? Again, get out at first light, you may get an hour of half way decent hunting in, before the wind just beats you into submission and the birds out of range.
If you carry a few decoys (and waterfowl season is open) and you can find some water, go set out and relax, you may be able to decoy and pop a few mallards, a much more rewarding activity than being blown out of the field all day, watching the roosters wing it ahead of you and the dog.
Now, as almost always happens, as light begins to fade the wind begins to "lay" for the evening. The last 2 hours of daylight, especially the last hour of light, presents your best chance for success. The birds are just as tired of the wind and being on guard as you and your dog are of hunting in it. The birds will also be moving between grain fields and roosting cover and will be a little easier to approach. You will have saved you and your dogs' energy for the most productive part of the day, increasing your chance to shoot a few birds, when the weather will be the most cooperative.
I have employed this tactic many times over the years and have shot many birds during the last hour of daylight, not my favorite time to be hunting, because I like to clean birds in the daylight and not under a light and I enjoy "Miller Time" at the end of the day as well, BUT if you are going to be successful and get your "money's worth" on extremely windy days, this is the tactic to employ. Trust me, your frustration level will fall to a more tolerable level and although you won't be hunting all day, you will be out there when it counts!
Good hunting to all, have a great season.
Richard
Thanks Richard. Good article.
