MN pheasant opener, duck re-opener

[TimJ]

On Saturday the pheasants didn't cooperate with me to well so no photos. Did get to see a three year old Golden really start to figure out the pheasant game. Pretty cool.

Sunday

The few ducks we got were hard to keep photo worthy after being in that muck hole. The calm cool morning did not make for a very active morning. The Trumpeter flyover was cool to see.

My first shot at a pheasant with this gun in probably a decade, maybe more. Stone dead, thank you Grandpa for handing down such a fine shotgun.

That's a MN limit. I did miss a couple in between.

Three limits for the four of us. My brother got out of cleaning by not claiming any and taking a couple photos of us. Cooper the Golden did a great job for us.

Too bad the wet weather came in this morning or I could have gotten in a little more fishing. The whole area got dumped on with rain today. We need it but the harvest will be slowed down some. It will make the pheasant hunting a lot better once the corn gets out. Had to really push cover quickly the last hour to move birds. The rest of the day the birds were in the corn.

Tim

 

[Mark W]

Hey Tim -

I for some reason thought you lived in SD, not MN. Nice bag on the pheasants. I've been told they are way down in MN this year and even more so in SD. I don't think we are going to make the trip to SD for pheasants this year which is a shame.

Mark W

 

[Steve Sanford]

Wow!

A Winchester Model 50 (my Dad's gun) and an "original" Model 12 (my gun) in the same tale! I can ask for nothing more......

I am curious about the photo with the Model 12 and the 2 Pheasants - looks like you might have patterned the gun on that utility pole ????? (nice even distribution of pellets......)

Gorgeous Bluewings, too.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Al Hansen]

Boy, did you make me homesick. You weren't hunting too far south from where I grew up. Loved those pictures, Tim. Congratulations on a most successful hunt. I enjoyed what your mind's eye saw!
Al

 

[TimJ]

Mark,
You were right that I do live in SD. I just have access to better hunting ground in MN. Also you heard right, SD pheasants are way down. They are especially bad in the far eastern third where I usually hunt. I don't go hunting in the zoo in the central part of the state. There are plenty in SW MN if you are willing to walk a little. We actually saw quite a few. Even some on public if you walked at the right time of the day.

Steve,
The 50 is also my dad's, I've shot that for 27 years I believe. The 12 was my Grandfathers that I got about 25 years ago. It is a great pheasant gun when I can use lead. Thought about opening the choke but haven't worked up the courage or stupidity whatever you would consider it. What more could you ask for? Maybe next time I'll bring along the Model 42 that I learned to shoot with 31 years ago.
I think the pattern on the pole is where the machinery grabs it to set it into place. If I had shot it with that old Winchester full choke it would probably have a single hole through it. hahaha

Al,
Thanks you.
There is a lot to be homesick for in MN. I'm definitely a South Dakotan but I can be very happy visiting MN every once in a while.

Tim

 

[tod osier]

Ooh, I missed this yesterday... Love the birds, the guns, dog and pics of it all - Nice!

Of all the vintage shotguns, a model 12 is one that I'd really love to have - one from Gramps, would be even better.

T

 

[TimJ]

Tod,
I think some pheasants just fall out of shear respect for the gun.

Tim

 

[Victor Duskin]

Classic! I too enjoyed the pic's of the model 12... congrats on the successful time afield.

 

[Bill Burkett]

Wonderful photos--I really liked seeing the old traditional guns out there where they belong. That looks like a well loved Model 50. And as for Model 12s, what can I say that hasn't been said? My first pump was a used 16-gauge from my buddy's dad's pawn shop, and now I am lucky to have three: a Heavy Duck and a 20, the 20 built the year the stock market crashed and still going strong. Thanks for this nostalgic look at yesterday (which is actually today).

 

[Mark W]

Mark,
You were right that I do live in SD. I just have access to better hunting ground in MN. Also you heard right, SD pheasants are way down. They are especially bad in the far eastern third where I usually hunt. I don't go hunting in the zoo in the central part of the state. There are plenty in SW MN if you are willing to walk a little. We actually saw quite a few. Even some on public if you walked at the right time of the day.
Tim

I thought so. You have it arse backwards Tim, one is suppose to go from MN to SD to hunt ducks and pheasants. And you even pay more to come over here and do so. We have to talk.

Glad you had a good hunt. I won't be making it SD this year for any sort of hunting. Barely have time to get out to hunt around here.

Mark