That Quail Place Forum
Hunting Gamebirds => Hunting Gamebirds => Topic started by: tpcrjf on August 08, 2007, 09:14:54 PM
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Hello all, I am just wondering what you all consider the main characteristics that you all look for in a game bird and the reasonings. Flight distance? Flight pattern? Flight speed and power? Size of the bird? Quality of meat? Birds that will freeze in position allowing for close flush? Or birds that flush from further? Do most of you prefer hunting birds in fields and more open areas or more wooded areas? I do quite a bit of upland hunting in Vermont and generally prefer the close range, fast moving, erratic flight of woodcock and grouse in heavy cover.
Basically if you had to design a game bird on paper what would it look and act like? Just curious.
Tom
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WILD
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thick cover grouse and woodcock doesn't get any better.
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WILD
Or Wilder.
Assuming you mean over pointing dogs, Greater Prairie Chickens.
Their cousins, the Ruffed grouse require the same dog work, but less range (a dog with a great nose, that locks up at first scent). The timber grouse actually tend to hold a little longer, for an experienced dog. Prairie hunting, for any of the three pasture grouse, provides a wonderful opportunity to watch dogs work large hillsides, and evaluate their style. All three are delicious, which is a plus.
Wild Bobwhites offer a chance for lots of dog work, if numbers are decent, and a frosty covey rise is more exciting than most women.
Pheasant are great fun over flushing dogs, or the best pointing dog you've ever owned, if you stick to cold days, or deep, narrow cover.
In pen raised birds, either planted, or early release, Chukar generally win out.
Sooooooo.......
I guess the real answer, for me, is, which ever bird I can hunt tomorrow morning.