NE Montana/N Dakota Upland

[Forks]

 This trip started off with a stop in Idaho to pick up two wirehair's from a breeder that was gracious enough to loan a couple dogs because my partner and I only had one each. Wet weather followed us all the way to W Yellowstone but once to Bozeman, we were in the clear.
 Made our destination with licenses for both states and lots of anticipation. We found plentiful amounts of birds which we both agreed to only shoot pointed ones. Sharpies were extremely tough for the dogs to nail down in gun range but the challenge was accepted.
 Some days the wind blew and limits were tough to scratch out but they were also the days we truly saw just how many birds there are in that region. Wiley birds getting up in droves, out of gun range, made me stop and stare in amazement.
 I can't even begin to describe the quality of people we met in the town of 150 hard working farmers. Most had more $$$$$ than they knew what to do with between strong wheat prices and an oil well or two on their land but you would never know it by their handshake and warm hospitality.
 This trip was beyond harvesting birds or dogs running the big, grass prairie, it was about staying in a home that only had a radio for entertainment, good meals and quality friendship that made time stand still.
 I'm still not sure why I returned to W Washington but I hope to return to that special place soon.

[pianoman9701]

Cool pictures. My buddy is from Bismark and wants to go on a pheasant trip out there.

[Derailed]

 

[shorthair-on-point]

 

[Curly]

Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing.

[huntinelk]

 

[Torrent50]

Just stumbled on this thread.  Makes me miss that part of the world even more.  I'm heading back up there next fall for the first time in too many years.  Mind if I ask where you were hunting (rough area)?  I grew up in Dagmar.

[Forks]

PM sent.

[chiefeng]

I was deer hunting in northeast Montana this year saw more pheasant then I think I have ever saw in a life time in Washington. We where walk through a Ranch that had a creek running through it. It was literally filled with sharpies, I'm talking at least a hundred they had are attention when we darn near stepped on a whitetail that flushed while we where watching those darn birds. Love that country and know what you mean in why did we return to western Wa. 

[Hornseeker]

January 1 was our last day....    and oh what a day it was!! Like you, over a hundred sharpies and probably close to double that in pheasants!!! it was insane!!!

[goosegetter79]

This year was awesome for the birds here in NE MT especially the last month or so. Ten minutes from the house and I was into 100's of birds sharp tails and pheasants.

[Torrent50]

Just got my vacation on the schedule today.  Off from Oct 21st to Nov 1st for my trip up there this fall.  Can't wait.  Hoping for a good hatch this spring and great bird numbers.