Unguided Pheasant Hunts
Unguided pheasant hunts are the type of hunting we offer and our difference is the Association partners, Jon Nee and John Wenzel, act as friendly point of contacts that even though the hunter is self guided he has guidance where and when to hunt. No one is left to flounder.
Unguided Pheasant Hunts land Maps
Unguided pheasant hunts is defined as between the Association and the hunter he will have access to the online map library that allows viewing of the same map at the same time between the hunter and one of the two Jo(h)ns when the two are talking by telephone of where to hunt. That is the basis for the guidance of where the self guided hunter will park his truck, step out and hunt. After that the unguided pheasant hunter hunts on his own employ his own willingness to walk, shooting ability and dog power.
The map at right is a sample of the maps that are the online library.
The black are the private hunting lease land controlled by the Association. The red are road names. This local map along with a state highway map are all that is necessary to navigate to the hunting spots. This map sheet represents one upland bird unit, or the amount of land that will be available to that hunter to hunt for that day.
The fact it is hunting lease land and not owned by the association is key how the Association can chose where to spend money and shift if necessary to match changing Association hunter profiles or changing wildlife patterns. In the case of pheasants we can go to where the tall grass CRP is and have better wild pheasant hunts. Compare this to a lodge or guide outfitter that must have land within easy driving distance to that lodge and frequently requires planted pheasants to make for a hunt.
The next aspect of our unguided pheasant hunts is that the Association exists for the execution of the hunt and not as a pheasant hunters' hunt training. Meaning we make the necessary resources available of knowing where and when to hunt, not how to hunt. A distinction that does cause problems on occasion.
Case in pont how the unguided pheasant hunt goes poorly is well illustrated on years when Kansas or Iowa gives a favorable to great pheasant forecast. That forecast will be reprinted many times over as various newspaper and magazines seek to fill pages with what is perceived as legitimate news. Such forecast reporting invariably leads to increased enthusiasm to include those that may for the first time think of traveling to new areas to hunt. That in turn leads to internet searches for pheasant hunting in the state with the great forecasts. Refining that search includes wild and unguided pheasant hunts leading to this web site with its many successful unguided pheasant hunt pictures and accounts. That will reinforce the enthusiasm to travel to pheasant hunt. The unguided aspect appeals to the ego, and a membership application is made, allocated and that first time traveling to Iowa or Kansas pheasant region is planned. The problem will be the unguided pheasant hunt.
The worst case is a hunter that lives in a state without a native wild pheasant population having trained and hunted his dog over pen raised pheasants or maybe only wild grouse. That hunter after working up great expectations travels out our way, hits the field and finds few pheasants and any pheasant found all appear to be wild flushes with no dog work. Frustration mounts with failed expectations and all things other than the hunter and his dog are the quick targets for rationalizing the now bad hunt.
That before listed example may seem extreme or obvious. It is reality every year that Iowa or Kansas issues a strong upland bird forecast.
Here is the better approach to take as accounted for by a seasoned hunter new to his Association.
This is my second year and I have made 4 trips...from my home in northern Wisconsin. I have hunted dozens of units and have put on many boots-on-the-ground miles as well as road miles. Last year I struggled to find birds but I did find a few spots that produced. This year I have found a couple more good spots. My dog, Biscuit, and I have worked hard and the results have been rewarding and very satisfying. Its never easy, but being able to hunt ground without competition - just my dog and me - is a real joy. I took the attached photo using the self-timer on my camera which was set on the hood of my car. Not every day results in a limit, so when it does it's pretty special and deserving of a photo.... Bob
