It's great - we have the best wild pheasant hunt for a property of its size, while we can promise the beginner hunter a pretty-much guaranteed shot at a bird or two. Geese by the thousands give opportunities for field hunting, pass-shooting and river hunting. Ducks, if they're here, can be amazing.
As hunting preserves go, ours is small - at least by Montana standards, where the neighboring ranch is 42,000 acres! It's easy to walk to any one spot yet experience a variety of habitats, terrain and gorgeous views so you are never bored and the birds are not over-hunted. Our pheasants are a mix of wild birds, early-release and planted birds, so that even the most inexperienced beginner has a fair chance to take their first bird, while seasoned hunters can experience the exhilarating challenge of hunting a truly wild pheasant during regular hunting season. We cultivate our land intensively to attract and hold wild birds, including an effective predator control program, and manage the preserve area in a way that protects our famed wild-pheasant hunting.
The terrain is mostly flat and a little rough (compared with a garden lawn), with narrow ditches to cross occasionally, and - as you'll learn - cover to push through (that's where the pheasants are likely to be). We also have several draws that are usually very productive, which appeal to the young and the fit, while those of a less agile disposition can stay on top and cover the escapees. There is a patch of wooded river bottom that holds birds, from where you can also get great pass-shooting opportunities on geese that fly over us to and from their daily feeding grounds.
We are surrounded by farm fields that attract thousands of geese to the area. They roost on the river right below us - we have a good mile of frontage - and, as long as some of them want to fly north in our direction, the hunting can be spectacular! We have two large fields with pit blinds in them, for decoying and calling in geese, as well as ditches to lie in and bushes to hide behind. Hunting from the blinds is very exciting and my favorite way to hunt. Pass-shooting from the river, or on the cliffs, is a thrilling way to hunt geese for a competent shooter. Hiding on the river bank, especially in the last half-hour of legal daylight, is my absolute favorite way to hunt geese, as long as there's no ice.
Duck hunting, on the other hand, is less predictable. While we manage our crops to attract ducks, sometimes the migration doesn't happen till after hunting season, if there's not enough cold weather driving them south. But other years the numbers are fantastic. I'm tempted not even to mention the early season ducks because I am very reluctant to share them with anyone!!! It's definitely my favorite hunt!
In September, large numbers of snipe have been known to pause their migration and hang out in our wetlands, providing exciting hunting opportunities (if you think snipe hunting is just a hoax, look up the Common Snipe regulations!). Snipe are my favorite game bird to eat, reminding me of foie gras with muscle. Dove numbers are increasing but they have usually all gone by 8 September.
Besides birds, we share the land with local groups of white tail and mule deer, but we don't see elk or antelope here. There are gazillions of rabbits, that help to feed the many birds of prey that inhabit our land (great-horned owls and a variety of hawks, bald eagles, osprey). We leave the turkeys alone in the hope their numbers will increase; and the Eurasian collared doves that fly around in the yard have no idea that they are non-game species that could be targeted any time. He he he.......
As hunting preserves go, ours is small - at least by Montana standards, where the neighboring ranch is 42,000 acres! It's easy to walk to any one spot yet experience a variety of habitats, terrain and gorgeous views so you are never bored and the birds are not over-hunted. Our pheasants are a mix of wild birds, early-release and planted birds, so that even the most inexperienced beginner has a fair chance to take their first bird, while seasoned hunters can experience the exhilarating challenge of hunting a truly wild pheasant during regular hunting season. We cultivate our land intensively to attract and hold wild birds, including an effective predator control program, and manage the preserve area in a way that protects our famed wild-pheasant hunting.
The terrain is mostly flat and a little rough (compared with a garden lawn), with narrow ditches to cross occasionally, and - as you'll learn - cover to push through (that's where the pheasants are likely to be). We also have several draws that are usually very productive, which appeal to the young and the fit, while those of a less agile disposition can stay on top and cover the escapees. There is a patch of wooded river bottom that holds birds, from where you can also get great pass-shooting opportunities on geese that fly over us to and from their daily feeding grounds.
We are surrounded by farm fields that attract thousands of geese to the area. They roost on the river right below us - we have a good mile of frontage - and, as long as some of them want to fly north in our direction, the hunting can be spectacular! We have two large fields with pit blinds in them, for decoying and calling in geese, as well as ditches to lie in and bushes to hide behind. Hunting from the blinds is very exciting and my favorite way to hunt. Pass-shooting from the river, or on the cliffs, is a thrilling way to hunt geese for a competent shooter. Hiding on the river bank, especially in the last half-hour of legal daylight, is my absolute favorite way to hunt geese, as long as there's no ice.
Duck hunting, on the other hand, is less predictable. While we manage our crops to attract ducks, sometimes the migration doesn't happen till after hunting season, if there's not enough cold weather driving them south. But other years the numbers are fantastic. I'm tempted not even to mention the early season ducks because I am very reluctant to share them with anyone!!! It's definitely my favorite hunt!
In September, large numbers of snipe have been known to pause their migration and hang out in our wetlands, providing exciting hunting opportunities (if you think snipe hunting is just a hoax, look up the Common Snipe regulations!). Snipe are my favorite game bird to eat, reminding me of foie gras with muscle. Dove numbers are increasing but they have usually all gone by 8 September.
Besides birds, we share the land with local groups of white tail and mule deer, but we don't see elk or antelope here. There are gazillions of rabbits, that help to feed the many birds of prey that inhabit our land (great-horned owls and a variety of hawks, bald eagles, osprey). We leave the turkeys alone in the hope their numbers will increase; and the Eurasian collared doves that fly around in the yard have no idea that they are non-game species that could be targeted any time. He he he.......