15 replies to this topic

[cattledog04]

Does it affect the birds in any way? Thinking of going out tomorrow.

[ShooterJohn]

It can make them hold tighter to cover. But sometimes that's a good thing.

[Frank]

Generally after a rain or snow the hunting can be better on most types of game.After a rain, especially a semi-colder one, it seems I have found quail in sunny spots as if trying to dry out a bit. The only down side is, the brush can still be quite wet and the ground muddy, making the walk a bit more uncomfortable. Also, often times you can have an area completely to yourself, as many folks don't want to deal with the bad weather or wet conditions. Years ago, one particular friend & I would watch the weather reports (including the weather channel) for storms & then rush out and go quail hunting immediately after a storm ended. Sometimes we were actually able to hunt "between" storms, timing it perfectly. The vast majority of the times we did well.Finally, you ain't gonna kill any by staying home, so go get 'em, & Good LuckFrank

[jeager]

Not sure whether quail see or hear us first.Moisture quiets the twigs and brush-an advantage for deer and such.You can always bring a sack and collect mushrooms!

[sportyg]

May head out tomorrow myself.

[Yateswell]

same here

[Bisley]

We've hunted, and taken, birds in the rain before. It's hard on the guns (all mine are field guns and die-hards like us) and not as productive when it is actually raining. It may not be as great hunting as a beautiful sunny day, but they are out there. We actually took dove this year also in 40+mph wind with drizzling rain this year. I draw the line at lightning though!!! I will get wet, I will not get burnt however. That's when we went home. Warning! Dry them guns out fast too if you get rained on, rust can happen in less than an hour if you put them away wet and warm.Take extra boots and socks also. And if you have access to a dog, this is the perfect time for them. They make hard holding birds much easier after a rain. Good luck to ya. And Frank ia absolutely right again, better to spend a day smelling fresh wet sage and get no birds than to stay home typing and wondering how you would have done had you actually gone out. I know I sure am. Good luck, gotta get some sleep before I pick the doggy up at 5am

[sportyg]

Boo Hoo din't make it out today. To many things to do before heading out to Lemoore tomorrow.. How'd everyone else do ????

[cattledog04]

Went to a new spot near my house. My 14 year old's first time. Come up on a decent covey, both popped a couple shots...and missed. We both need to become better shots, but at least we were out locally, found some birds, and had a good time.

[Frank]

There ya go

[High Shooter]

I need to work on my shooting too. I had plenty of opportunity today, but I can't seem to hit anything with the new gun. I have yet to take it to the range to pattern it or break clays; need to get on that post haste. I've never missed so consistently before. But I had a blast and saw lots of birds this afternoon in my "local for me" spot. The weather was great, the new spaniel started showing signs that he knew what this new game is about and started getting birdy when he smelled quail. He's a bit mystified about the big noise Alpha makes with the thunder stick yet though. He has no clue what it's for. Poor thing.

[Frank]

Not only to test for pattern, but also to see if it even hits where it is pointed at. We're quick to blame ourselve's (& rightfully so sometimes), however, we can also find out later that the stink'n gun is hitting a foot or more high at 25 yards, & the patterns are as tight as a baseball. So, yeah, gotta test ole Betsy, before we can blame the nut behind the wheel. Anyway, you had a good time, which is wayyyy better than cleaning the garage out. Frank

[Yateswell]

I went out yesterday and had a great CALLING day, started slow in the morning but as the day went go, it got very exciting in the afternoon, we called in total 5 coyotes but we missed all 5 of them. It was a great CALLING day but no happy ending. I just blame my partner, I hope he is not reading this post.

[Broncowilly]

SWMBO and I went out the other night after a drizzle and I was able to down one chukar. I took two shots on a covey of about 20 birds but they were too far out. I'm using a Browning BPS 12g improved cylinder with old, old paper cased #4 high base. Hey, it's all I had in the cupboard!

[Bisley]

Just back from a W I N D Y and C O L D weekend, but it was worth it. It rained (and snowed) both evenings, Friday and Saturday, but not during the day. Went out with my hunting partner, dad, brother, and nephew Saturday. A couple dozen birds in 30mph wind and 40 deg temps. Sorry, no pics. It was hunt, clean, and jump in the truck with a "soda" and warm up with the heater. Too cold and windy to pose. Brrrrr. Did get my first bird ever with Grampa's old Winchester 1400 though. Made it all worth wild. Only my buddy and I today. Still managed a handful of birds in spite of 40+mph winds and low 40 deg temps (plus some good old fashioned piss poor shooting ). Plus we got tired of fighting everything around 2:30, so we went scouting a few new places for the first time in years. And just before the sun set, we came across a valley full of birds that acted like they had never been pressure before . You gotta love it when you flush a 60 bird covey off the road. But gotta love it even more when they fly down the road 100 yards, only to be kicked up again while driving out the same road. And again, a third time. Did I mention these birds act they have never been hunted?! So, yes, it is worth it. Even if it's cold and windy, and you miss seeing the Cowboys game.

[sxshooter]

Wet and rainey weather seems to work for me and my dog. She can find em hole'd up tight in the wet weather. A few yrs ago I went quail hunting and didn't expect rain and didn't have any jacket or raingear. Miserable temps and wet, but still got birds. 'was a good one to look back at but wasn't all that nice without good clothing.