Post by: ChristianS899 on October 17, 2022, 05:57:43 PM
I don’t have a dog and have never pheasant hunted before. Everyone I see there seems to have dogs, what are y’alls thoughts on looking for Pheasant here without a pup?
I live in North Tacoma so I’ve also researched the Belfair, Mason Lake, and Trask Lake sites.
If anyone is ever looking to show a new guy the ropes and get out with someone new send me a PM!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: MR5x5 on October 17, 2022, 06:04:29 PM
Post by: follow maggie on October 17, 2022, 07:23:20 PM
Post by: ChristianS899 on October 17, 2022, 11:39:58 PM
IMHO Pheasant hunting without a dog is just exercise, only dumber.
any day I can get outside is a good day for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: ChristianS899 on October 17, 2022, 11:41:16 PM
I’ve shot lots of pheasants without a dog in my college days. Just beat the brush & kick hem up. I would tell you to go later in the day, though. After the mad rush. When they open those areas up at 8 or whatever time it is now, they are a major league *censored* show.Thanks for the suggestion!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: nwwanderer on October 18, 2022, 06:28:25 AM
Post by: Iveexcaped3 on October 18, 2022, 06:43:52 AM
Post by: salish on October 18, 2022, 09:55:26 AM
IMHO Pheasant hunting without a dog is just exercise, only dumber.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Absolutely right. I hunted roosters for a few years in the 90's without a dog and did just fine. And I had a blast. Have fun and good luck to you.
Post by: bobcat on October 18, 2022, 11:33:28 AM
Post by: BrandonD on October 18, 2022, 05:56:49 PM
Post by: Iveexcaped3 on October 18, 2022, 07:13:58 PM
I'm in a similar boat. I live right by all the Snoqualmie WA pheasant release sites, but don't have a dog. They're so close, but is it completely stupid to go hunt those sites dogless?
If enough of you no dog guys get together you can almost deer drive (pheasant drive) your way to success
Post by: lovetogrouse on October 19, 2022, 04:34:04 PM
I'm in a similar boat. I live right by all the Snoqualmie WA pheasant release sites, but don't have a dog. They're so close, but is it completely stupid to go hunt those sites dogless?
If enough of you no dog guys get together you can almost deer drive (pheasant drive) your way to success
I've done that on Yakima Nation land and it was pretty successful. We would have gotten more than a few birds if had had our wits about us. If you do that you'll need a special permit, just fyi.
Post by: follow maggie on October 22, 2022, 05:15:14 PM
I'm in a similar boat. I live right by all the Snoqualmie WA pheasant release sites, but don't have a dog. They're so close, but is it completely stupid to go hunt those sites dogless?
If enough of you no dog guys get together you can almost deer drive (pheasant drive) your way to success
With a little practice this works really well, especially with a couple blockers at the end of the cover.
Post by: metlhead on October 22, 2022, 07:03:25 PM
Post by: Birdguy on October 22, 2022, 08:22:15 PM
Show up about 7/730 and talk to a few guys, watch the show (from 8 to 10) see if you're even interested. If you are, buy a license and plan to walk it alone but do not be surprised if you're asked to take up a spot in the line and maybe drop a bird or two, Never hurts to offer a guy another hand if he has dog work/training to do as well. Real friendships can be made in the field, I wish you luck.
Post by: GWP on October 23, 2022, 12:20:25 PM
I have hunted with and without dogs. I was careful to not shoot where I would not be reasonably sure I could collect the bird, and you may have a hike to get to the bird. Finding it can be difficult at a ‘non’ release site. Dog really helps there.
You may have birds more prone to running at a release site.
Wait until the ‘crap show’ slows and or stops at a release site, then work the edges first, then any brush clumps.
Good luck!
Post by: J-Bone on October 24, 2022, 08:32:54 AM
I would say my dog finds 75% of the birds I shoot. He also finds 100% of the birds I down once shot. If you are hunting in deep cover without a dog you will lose downed birds and spend a lot more time looking for the ones you shoot. If you are hunting wild birds, that sucks. Bird populations are already doing bad across the state wasting birds is a loss for all hunters.
If you'd like to go with a dog, PM me. Happy to take you out. While, I hate to give up my spots, I also realize growing the hunter population, and therefore more people that care about bird populations, is the best way to get the numbers back up again.
Post by: KFhunter on October 24, 2022, 08:38:37 AM
Post by: huntnfmly on November 01, 2022, 06:30:28 PM
you can definitely hunt birds without dogs, people do, and they claim to have fun. It is difficult for people that hunt birds with dogs to imagine hunting without dogs. It is like watching color TV and then going back to black and white. A smart phone and then reverting back to a flip phone. Anyways you get the idea. If you like upland hunting get a dog, it will increase your fun level 100x.
I would say my dog finds 75% of the birds I shoot. He also finds 100% of the birds I down once shot. If you are hunting in deep cover without a dog you will lose downed birds and spend a lot more time looking for the ones you shoot. If you are hunting wild birds, that sucks. Bird populations are already doing bad across the state wasting birds is a loss for all hunters.
If you'd like to go with a dog, PM me. Happy to take you out. While, I hate to give up my spots, I also realize growing the hunter population, and therefore more people that care about bird populations, is the best way to get the numbers back up again.
Great offer 👍
Post by: ChristianS899 on November 01, 2022, 07:53:18 PM
I appreciate everyone who had feedback, suggestions or just their :twocents:!
Now that I did get my deer in the freezer I plan to spend some time trying to figure these birds out! Hope to see some of you out there.