Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 5:54:03 PM     Points: 1211    

Rabbits & squirrels on the SWA along the Platte east to the Neb state line.
Pheasant, check out the WIA props out east around Yuma & Holyoke. Just save me a few, I am going during the week right after opener as I am headed up to elk camp in just over [60] hours! Tic, Tic, Tic!!!!

HC Out!

p.s...the link to the WIA props...
LINK

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 5:55:24 PM     Points: 1211    

...opps, you will need the extra $20 WIA permit to access those walk-in areas.

HC Out!

 Reply by: Bullyhunter      Posted: 11/4/2009 5:58:47 PM     Points: 1449    

Heavy what area you hunting elk? Im headed down next monday to 67!

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 6:07:25 PM     Points: 1211    

Yep, two elk tags & an extra bear tag just for the heck of it! Unit 4 & 441 north of Craig for bulls & bear. Have the cow tag that is good in 3, 4, 5, 301 & 441...I had better come home with something this year!! Ate tag soup last year!

HC Out!

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/4/2009 6:17:51 PM     Points: 757    

Hahah tag soup! Dang HC, thanks for the link! I keep hearing about walk in areas. I presume it's an extra 20 for the day? Guess that's what reading is for. I'll dig around. I'm in Thornton. I appreciate the link and if you get a bear or both your elk tags filled, I wanna see some pics! Good luck and tic tic tic for sure!

 Reply by: brookieflyfisher      Posted: 11/4/2009 6:46:45 PM     Points: 1832    

If you don't want to drop the bucks for an auger, you can use a chisel to quietly chisel open recently used holes, which really only works down here in the metro area. You can also piggyback off of other people by asking for holes to be drilled (most are willing to drill you one or two, but no more) or going along with others (like get-togethers, guided trips, etc.) I suggest the second option so you can be eased into the sport before you drop any money on gear you might not use.

For the love of God, don't use an ax, the pounding will scare the fish and make you the mortal enemy of everyone within a one mile radius.

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:08:38 PM     Points: 1211    

No, it is an annual permit so you can use it into the first part of 2010! Last year was actually the first year I used it and it paid off real well for me! Limited out several times on these areas. Now this year I even have a new pup and can't wait to get her out again! She's been on a few ducks this year, and last spring when she was only 12 or 13 weeks old I took her to a preserve to get her on live birds so she would not have to wait until this fall.

Man I cannot wait! ...and yes, now [58] hours till I leave!!! Tic, Tic, Tic!!!!

HC Out!

1) first catch
2) first retrieve
3) YES, she was a good girl that day!

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:14:32 PM     Points: 135    

Well now, that's the tough question in Dec and Jan.
Ice fishing or pheasant hunting?
I was already getting really jazzed about the ice returning to Granby and South Park, and now I've got pheasants on the brain to boot.....

Thanks Show me da fishy, now won't be able to sleep tonight.

I head accross the border to Kansas for bird hunting. Season opens on November 14th.

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:17:32 PM     Points: 1211    

Not JUST a fish hound huh? Very nice!

HC Out!

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:19:06 PM     Points: 1211    

My bad..."Trout" Hound!

}-)

HC Out!

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:21:17 PM     Points: 135    

Heavy C,
Those are some nice roosters!
It's great when you get a young dog hunting. My yellow lab has become pretty good at flushing and tracking. When I get a bird down, she'll find it and stand on it with one foot until I get there. She doesn't like to pick them up and carry them!
She also loves the snow, so she makes great company out on the ice.
It really confuses her though when I drop a fish back through the hole. She'll sit there with her nose by the water for 10 minutes waiting for the fish to return....

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:24:13 PM     Points: 1211    

LOL! My girl too! Everytime I throw a fishy back she give me the like what the heck look! She is less patient than me too, she starts crying when I don't catch anything...I think just to rub it in on me!!! I keep telling her "I KNOW!!! I'm the one fishing here!"

HC Out!

 Reply by: Two Ponies      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:42:21 PM     Points: 398    

HC,

Good luck and stay safe. . . My hunters did well last weekend and through Tuesday. We filled all their deer tags and should have all elk tags filled by the end. I came to the front range to take care of some business and I will be back to guide a new group for fourth. Elk have not moved down quickly this year. Black Mountain, Bears Ears and Quaker are still holding large herds.

Two Ponies

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 8:47:42 PM     Points: 1211    

Thanks Two Ponies! THAT NEWS MAKES MY DAY!!!! That is actually where I am hoping to start my hunt too!!!!!!!!! YES!!! Thinking I am first gonna try getting up over Olyphant/Welba and head towards Buck Point if I can. Snow was just too deep last year, then that darn 100mph wind had me hiding in a canyon on day 1!!! (I know, whahhhh!!) That was the worst wind I have ever hunted in in my life!

Safe hunting as well!!

HC Out!

 Reply by: Two Ponies      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:02:21 PM     Points: 398    

I just sent a text to a friend guiding on California Park for a snow report. If I hear from him tonight I will let you know.

Two Ponies

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:11:45 PM     Points: 1211    

AAAAAAAHHHHHH! I am NOT gonna sleep tonight!!!! Too cool Two Ponies!! Let me know! I leave first thing Sat morn so I can get in a couple days of scouting and shoot the rifle a couple of times!!

[57] hours and counting before I blow this taco stand!!!!!!

HC Out!

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:17:36 PM     Points: 1211    

Oh, and thanks! Oliphant! Here I come! If I can get to that saddle I will be a happy camper!

HC Out!

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:18:06 PM     Points: 1211    

...and thanks again!!!! AAAAHHHH!!!! I better go walk the dog I am going nuts here!!!

HC Out!

 Reply by: Two Ponies      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:21:52 PM     Points: 398    

Quote:

"12" give or take in the higher elevations. . . Little to no snow on the roads. . . Warmer than normal."


Good hunting,
Two Ponies

 Reply by: Two Ponies      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:29:12 PM     Points: 398    

A few more "pics" to keep your blood pressure up. Happy dreams.

Two Ponies

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:40:30 PM     Points: 1211    

ooooohhhh! I can walk in dat!! Looks like a little might move in this weekend just in time for "Veteran's Day"!!!

Nunpi Shunke Wakan ...you must be one great Wakikunza with great tinza, I offer MANY of pila mita!!!

Is that ok for a waschichin?

HC Out!

(Man, I hope I did not butcher that too bad!!!)

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:45:18 PM     Points: 1211    

Yeah! Welba & Black ...AND what I am looking for!!!

HC Out!

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 9:51:58 PM     Points: 1211    

And, Show Me...my apologies for hijacking your thread! I can only offer that I am going berzerker right now!!!!!!!!

HEE HEE!

HC Out!

 Reply by: Two Ponies      Posted: 11/4/2009 10:07:26 PM     Points: 398    

Washte. Hecheto welo wasichu. (Good. It is done well for a Wasichu)

Súnkawákan Nupi (Two Ponies)

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/4/2009 10:16:25 PM     Points: 1211    

Ahhh, dang it I knew I messed your name up!! How embarrASSing!

Thanks so much Two Ponies I am so exited!

[56] hours and counting!! Pretty much packed already, just keep finding more stuff laying around and throwing in the trailor or the pile for the truck!

HC Out!

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/5/2009 5:49:09 AM     Points: 757    

Brookie, thanks! I’ll be sure to either tag along with someone or ask for help with a hole, last case I’ll use a chisel but to all, I will NOT use an ax ok!

HC- Thanks for the heads up. That just made my day! I’m off ducks for this season. All my decoys are in IL and my folks are bringing them out next summer when they visit. Bet that dog’s as excited as you! Get those guns out and the dogs get excited huh!

Fisherman Frank, that’s a great idea to just head east like that. I suppose I’d need a non resident license there which sadly would cost additional. I’ll certainly begin looking around the Ks side for early next season I think!

HA hahah man you crack me up! You better be getting some sleep or in 40 hours or whatever, you’ll crash and sleep through the season haha! Tick tock tick tock…..

 Reply by: troutelk      Posted: 11/5/2009 8:00:13 AM     Points: 77    

SMDF- Shoot out to Tamarack SWA for small game action- plenty of waterfowl, pheasant, rabbit and squirrel. You'll need to reserve a hunt zone.

 Reply by: Justin      Posted: 11/5/2009 8:05:16 AM     Points: 98    

Seriously, just buy a hand auger. They aren't expensive and you'll be able to move around to find fish. In my opinion, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to do something without the right tools. I just think the $40-$50 you spend on a hand auger will be well worth it and result in more fish!

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/5/2009 8:35:21 AM     Points: 135    

I'll probably look at small game hunting here in our state a little bit closer this year. Pheasants are supposed to be numerous this year.
Their lower numbers in Colorado over the last few years is part of the reason that I normally head out to Oakley or the Hays area. Kansas does a really good job of securing lots of walk-in hunter access. Their out-of-state annual small game hunting license is only $76 or so. There are no extra fees to pay above that, unless you are hunting waterfowl.

 Reply by: channelcat13      Posted: 11/5/2009 11:55:29 AM     Points: 251    

Sounds like fun! Last year, I got into squirrel hunting with my buddy in Flagstaff. I don't know how it works here, but there, the small game stuff was not restricted to units and you could pretty much shoot a gun a quarter mile off of most any road. Additionally, you could start a campfire most anywhere unless fire restrictions happened. I loved just being able to disappear into the mountains most anywhere you wanted.

While my neighbor owned all the riffles, I had a blast taking down "tree chickens" (squirrels) with my high powered air riffle. My neighbor would do well with his .22 but after the first shot was fired, the tree chickens would start to really move. I could get in six or eight shots (if I had to) on a squirrel with the air riffle and at a 1200 rating, those pellets would actually clear on through to the other side of the squirrel. As a kid, I remember trying to take down squirrels with a red rider. It basically took an eye shot to drop one!

Up until last year, I never thought I would like to eat squirrel either. That all changed. After learning how to clean one out (thanks to youtube), my neighbor showed me how to crockpot the meat to tenderize it and then make soup or a a meat very similar to carnitas! Yum, yum! Good luck out there!

I can't think of anything more sustainable than small game harvesting! The big game stuff is good too but since I gave up all factory -farmed meat, my ability to put down big steakes has decreased. Last year I was grateful to get a bunch of elk and after eating 3 "American-sized" steaks, I thought I was going to die the next day between vomiting and .... I guess I lost the enzymes. Anyway, fun stuff... Again, good luck!

CC13

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/5/2009 1:26:09 PM     Points: 135    

I've hunted squirrels here in the Colorado mountains. I'm pretty sure that you can still hunt them on all National Forest and BLM land. They are quick and challenging. They can be found in almost every spruce forest.
The only problem with our mountain squirrels is that they are pretty small. It would take a whole bunch to make a meal!
I love to hunt pheasants. It's awesome when they flush up right at your feet and blast off quickly in a flash of color and cackling.. It's like having a small helicopter explode out of the cover.
Where I hunt in Kansas it's actually very wild in it's own way. Few people, lots of open land. There's nothing like walking through prairie grass that's 6' high, and seeing (almost stepping on) white tailed deer, bob cats, owls, coyotes, fox, and on and on....
I'll be hunting in milo as tall as my head, and red tailed hawks fly right over.
The locals are very friendly, and almost always happy to have us "out-of-staters" there. Small town America. I always feel good to be there. Especially when I live in such a busy city now.

 Reply by: fishhooker      Posted: 11/5/2009 3:32:45 PM     Points: 156    

There's some places out east on the plains that the WIA property is close to some lakes, gonna try a cast and blast when I make it out there.

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/5/2009 5:59:45 PM     Points: 757    

Troutelk: I looked up Tamarack and can’t find a contact # to reserve. Any ideas? Do all these areas need reservations or are there any you can just walk on and start shooting if you have the right permits? So much great info here! Thanks to all!

Justin: So hand augers huh. Are those very good for thicker ice? I’ve never used one. Do they have anything that’s heated you can sink through ice?

Fisherman Frank: I think I’ll be looking into that for next season! Happy lookin bird dog! Also, I’d agree on the smaller sized squirrels out here. I’ll never forget my first flush of birds. As a kid I dropped a load, not a bird! Walk right up on ‘em with a good dog and boot to the butt and nothing but wings fluttering! LOVE that… Now you better stop promoting that area over there East of me or I might just have to move closer haha!

CC: you’re talking AZ? Dang. That sounds sweet! That’s air rifle sounds comparable to some low grain frickin 9mm hahah. That’ll take down a tree chicken for sure! red rider bb gun huh! Hahah you’ll shoot your eye out, you’ll shoot your eye out! Cleaning, soaking, all the difference and deeeeeee-licious when done right!

Fishhooker: AWESOME idea!!!!

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/5/2009 7:28:07 PM     Points: 135    

"Cast and Blast." LOL
Dang, that would be a GREAT handle to use here!
I'd almost re-register just to grab it!!

Maybe "CasterBlaster?"

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/5/2009 7:37:08 PM     Points: 1211    

I like! CasterBlaster!

HC Out!

 Reply by: brookieflyfisher      Posted: 11/5/2009 11:25:51 PM     Points: 1832    

Wow, you guys have never heard of the term "cast and blast"? That was a Fishing and Hunting News thing. Jeez, I miss that magazine.

With a decent auger, like a mora or lazer, you can typically do 6-8 inches of ice in around 15 seconds. A mora is around 30 bucks nowadays (I think). Go with the 6 inch diameter variety.

I wouldn't buy an auger until you get into the sport, so try it out first and then decide if you want to jump in any more. Remember safety equipment and short rods, too. Try buying one of those 15 dollar Finnish palm rods, they are cheap, easy to use, and in many situations better than the conventional spinning setups. Fiskas and Marmish are the two best palm-rod makers.

As far as locations go, I think Prewitt, Jackson, Julseburg, and Red lion all get great ice, and have hunting nearby. Barr and many of the ponds across the plains also get good lids. Stay north of I-70 on a good ice year or north of I-76 on a mediocre ice year.

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/6/2009 6:05:45 AM     Points: 757    

Thanks Brookie! Hey, since you mention the short rods, whats that about?


If I have a pole that's broken, about that size, and has an eye at the tip, think that would work?

 Reply by: fish      Posted: 11/6/2009 7:26:09 AM     Points: 1961    

Rabbit,squirrel make good fly tying materiel. fish

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/15/2009 5:27:23 PM     Points: 757    

HC, how'd ya do?

 Reply by: fishexaminer      Posted: 11/15/2009 5:44:52 PM     Points: 205    

Someone say SQUIRREL?

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/15/2009 5:49:47 PM     Points: 1211    

Uhhhh?

Can't quite spill the measly beans just yet :) I am acting like people actually wanna hear what I have to write on [4] other forums!!!! LOL!!!

I did not think a big long boring hunting story was quite right for mainly a fishing only crowd, but here is a link to one of my other fav siites that I am addicted to if anyone would like to follow along!
LINK

I will post something up here in the end if y'all think I should. Maybe someone can confirm if it would be 'ok' to post here as I know alot of people out there may not like the hunting thing.

Hmmm? Maybe I still can, just have to figure out to make the pictures work in the same order here as they do on the other sites.... Let think about it for a bit, but in the mean time follow that link IF YOU DARE!

HC Out!

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/15/2009 5:53:58 PM     Points: 757    

Ahh right right. good call HC. My bad... P.S... I'm Mossberg_man there...

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/15/2009 6:07:03 PM     Points: 1211    

Cool! I always wonder when some folks have different 'handles' on diff sites!!! I have met so many guys that are different between sites and it never seems to amaze me when I find out!

Reading back on this I remembered the Mt Oliphant pic that Two Ponies put up for me so I went and got my own! See below....:)

HC Out!

p.s... I am thinking I had better do something for my FxR FAMILY though! It just would not be right! Stay tuned!

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/15/2009 6:50:52 PM     Points: 757    

I figured I'd look like an idiot going by "show me da fishy" on a waterfowl hunting site, so, I opted for my brand of 12 ga I use for hunting. A Mossberg model 835. Mossberg_man...

 Reply by: Two Ponies      Posted: 11/15/2009 7:03:01 PM     Points: 398    

HC,

Thanks for the link. . . I was wondering how you did and was thinking about you this past week. I am looking forward to the conclusion of your story.

Absolutley beautiful pictures.

Two Ponies

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/15/2009 8:21:59 PM     Points: 135    

Well,
I'm posting this from Oakley, Kansas. Spent the weekend pheasant hunting here, and did pretty well. I got three phesants on opening day (Saturday.)
Today it was snowing, and the wind was blowing 15-25 MPH. Got soaking wet, and didn't get anything down. Shot at a bunch, but they were mostly "hail Mary" shots. (Pheasants can fly REALLY fast with a 20 mph tailwind)
Anyway, the birds are numerous this year. It's always a great time.

 Reply by: Show me da fishy      Posted: 11/15/2009 8:33:17 PM     Points: 757    

FF: I'm jealous! I thought about heading East next weekend or two. I hear there's not many up N but they're doing great out near Ks. I better get out there before you bag'em all!

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/15/2009 9:00:10 PM     Points: 135    

SMDF,
The KDWP (Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park) says that the bird #s are up substantially basically from the Colorado border east, and south of I-70. I'd agree that they've really rebounded from the recent drought years.
A KDWP ranger told me that #s are down a bit north of I-70 from about Colby to Grainfield due to very bad weather this year.
There were a lot of out-of-state hunters all over Central Kansas this year, but with the bad weather today, the # of birds harvested this weekend in Western Kansas was probably below normal.
I'd guess that this will be good season all the way to the end. I know that I'll make it out every chance I get.
Of course, that cuts into my fishing time.
Oh, and there's always the "Honey Do's!"

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/15/2009 9:42:54 PM     Points: 1211    

Nice! Going out Tuesday morn for my first blast at the ditch chickens!!!

HC Out!

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/15/2009 9:44:01 PM     Points: 1211    

FYI...I am gonna go ahead and start my report here too for my familia here at FxR, in the FxR+ forum though so if its inappropriate I will not be hurt if deleted!

HC Out!

 Reply by: FishermanFrank      Posted: 11/19/2009 10:21:04 PM     Points: 135    

Heavy C,
Did you get out hunting this week?

 Reply by: HeavyC      Posted: 11/19/2009 11:10:16 PM     Points: 1211    

I did on Tuesday. I never fired a shot, but saw & heard tons of birds, though the vast majority of them were deep in the standing corn that is still up!

Walked about 9miles all day. My poor pup had worked her little rear off for the first 8 miles, and the only thing to jump close was hens. In the middle of that last mile, she took it upon herself to get a bird when she jumped two juvie chicks and snagged one out of mid air! She brought it back and got all the praise in the world for it too! It was unharmed so I threw it in the pocket for just a second and sent her to hunt them up again. As she took off I snuck it out and let it go to live another day. Not a minute later, she again jumped a dozen chicks and yet again grabbed one out of the air as it jumped! This time though she had it by the head and its own flapping snapped its neck:(

I had no choice but to keep that one, and it looked to be a small rooster anyway. I had posted it on my pheasant & waterfowl sites and some people were saying it was a hen! I was feelling bad then and not sure what was the correct thing to do! So this morning I contacted the DOW and figured I might be ok as I didn't shoot it, my dog was a better hunter than I! They were super cool about it, said they thought it to be a very young rooster as well and simply suggested if it ever happens again I should simply take it into the nearest DOW office to report it. (That is if it is a hen. If it is a rooster it must be counted against your bag and possesion limits!)

Was kinda weird to have two birds in hand and never fire a shot! Doubt that will ever happen again in my lifetime!

There sure must have been a ton of very late hatches as when I was driving back to the highway I again saw a ton of small chicks in two different areas! Looks to be one of the greatest years ever for pheasants in CO!

HC Out!