Here are a few pics from my annual hunting trip. My brother and I try to take a hunting trip somewhere every year around New Years. We only hunt public land, and we try to keep it as low budget as possible. The past few years, we've hunted western Oklahoma, but the bird numbers are down this year, so we went to Kansas instead.

We did an awful lot of walking, and the birds were few and far between, but we had a good time, and so did the dogs.

My brother is a much better shotgunner than I am, but on this day, I was on fire.

It seems like every time we hunt in Kansas we end up getting stuck.

I can't wait until next year!

Awesome hunt! Thanks for posting!

Bird numbers have been terrible this year everywhere in the state it seems like. Funds have been low for me so I haven't even bothered going but all my friends that have gone have reported the same thing back. Looks like you guys did alright for yourselves and got some good eating!

How did you find hunting the Western OK public lands in the years when you went? I live in Arkansas and am considering western OK next year. Looks like the WMA's out there have quail, but I believe they do get quite a bit of pressure. I will probalby hunt KS and Nebraska next year also, I'm hoping the weather is more bird friendly in KS this year and there's a good hatch. Lot's of walk in areas to hunt. I have an 8 month old GSP, the dog has good instincts, doing a good job pointing pen-raised quail, can't wait to get him out there next year.

Here he is pointing, held well, gave me time to get out the camera, get a pic, then walk over and flush the bird.

How did you find hunting the Western OK public lands in the years when you went? I live in Arkansas and am considering western OK next year. Looks like the WMA's out there have quail, but I believe they do get quite a bit of pressure. I will probalby hunt KS and Nebraska next year also, I'm hoping the weather is more bird friendly in KS this year and there's a good hatch. Lot's of walk in areas to hunt. I have an 8 month old GSP, the dog has good instincts, doing a good job pointing pen-raised quail, can't wait to get him out there next year.

In the past, we've done very well in western Oklahoma, but the bird numbers are way down due to a harsh winter followed by drought last year. There is a lot of hunting pressure early in the season, but by New Years, there aren't many hunters left. PM me when you start planning your hunt, and I'll help you out however I can.

Thanks Bird dog, I may shoot you a PM next year if I decide to go to OK.

BTW, you can sign up for Oklahoma upland bird research updates by going to wildlifedepartment.com, look for the Upland research image in the bottom right corner. Just signed up myself, so I don't know if of any value or not.

birddog,

just talked to my grouse hunting buddy up in your neck of the woods, he is reporting 25 productive points and moving upwards of 65 grouse a day. Should be a good year up that way.