Upland hunting in the cold and snow

[KMO385]

What is your alls view on hunting birds in the extreme cold and or snow? I know it depends on species, for instance I general won't target quail below 30 degrees (I know 30 isn't extreme cold) cause of high mortality rates they have in colder temperatures. But also long as conditions aren't harmful for my dogs I don't mind doing short outings in some of my known pheasants spots. I've heard a lot of people hang it for the year once snowfall gets deep and temps fall citing a bunch of different reasons from mortality to predation. What do you all think?

 

[Wild Bill]

What is your alls view on hunting birds in the extreme cold and or snow? I know it depends on species, for instance I general won't target quail below 30 degrees (I know 30 isn't extreme cold) cause of high mortality rates they have in colder temperatures. But also long as conditions aren't harmful for my dogs I don't mind doing short outings in some of my known pheasants spots. I've heard a lot of people hang it for the year once snowfall gets deep and temps fall citing a bunch of different reasons from mortality to predation. What do you all think?

I've never stayed home because I was worried about the birds being too cold. But then again, pheasants are pretty hardy birds.
Deep snow means it's time for snowshoes. Some spots the dog stays in the pickup due to the deep snow.

 

[jejack26]

Best hunting occurs in the snow. I use labs for late season roosters. Pheasant aren't bothered by cold typically like quail
My th9n skinned dogs stay at home

 

[huntin24/7]

Snow and cold either makes for really good or really tuff upland hunting. If snow starts getting deep and eliminating cover, the best days are when it’s miserable because of the wind causing them to really hunker down. Find good cattails or other thick cover like Russian olives and thick willows. If it’s cold and calm, they’ll be out in the open and you’ll need to push them until they hopefully starting breaking up out of big groups and going into thick cover. Or you can do pushes with 3-4 guys and post a blocker or two. Where I hunt went from really easy limits the first few weeks of December to hard earned birds walking through deep snow and watching 95% of roosters flush 100+ yards away. If snow is fairly deep, don’t waste your time unless there’s thick cover that you can push them into.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Love chasing pheasants in the snow.

My favorite hunting is usually late season. Also do enjoy chasing road birds after a nice big snow storm.

SD keeps the season open until Jan 31 now, so I try my best to get one or two hunts in January in the cold and snow.

 

[brymoore]

I hunt until the misery index makes staying out miserable for me or conditions make driving impossible.

30 degrees isn’t cold. A high in the teens makes me rethink my day - I’d probably hunt the mid afternoon. Single digits and I’m staying home.

 

[MNElkNut]

I love late season roosters in the cattails. I will hunt down to 0, maybe -5 most times, but have been out as low as -24 in ND. That was a cold one!

 

[Walkathon]

My dog (GSP) is a house dog that hunts. I don't take her out if the temps are below 10 degrees. She also wears a vest if it's cold and I keep her dry when we get back to the truck. She also rides in the truck where it's warm. I wouldn't want to bust the birds out of the cattails in the evening if it's down near zero because I'm not sure if they will find another warm spot before it gets dark. Just my 2 cents. No scientific data to back any of it. Like the others have said above- cattails and similar cover seem to be awesome with some snow. 30 degrees is almost too warm because the snow gets wet and sticks to everything. I'd rather have it in the lower 20's if I had a choice.

 

[KMO385]

I've never stayed home because I was worried about the birds being too cold. But then again, pheasants are pretty hardy birds.
Deep snow means it's time for snowshoes. Some spots the dog stays in the pickup due to the deep snow.

I'll select spots due to temps here in KS just because of the high quail mortality in every cold temps. If I do happen to get on quail in extreme cold temps, I won't chase them. I dont shy away from pheasants or prairie chicken in the cold.

 

[KMO385]

Snow and cold either makes for really good or really tuff upland hunting. If snow starts getting deep and eliminating cover, the best days are when it’s miserable because of the wind causing them to really hunker down. Find good cattails or other thick cover like Russian olives and thick willows. If it’s cold and calm, they’ll be out in the open and you’ll need to push them until they hopefully starting breaking up out of big groups and going into thick cover. Or you can do pushes with 3-4 guys and post a blocker or two. Where I hunt went from really easy limits the first few weeks of December to hard earned birds walking through deep snow and watching 95% of roosters flush 100+ yards away. If snow is fairly deep, don’t waste your time unless there’s thick cover that you can push them into.

Pheasants are what I've typically go after in the cold and snow, i always tend to find them in thick CRP on south face slopes getting some sun and within a short flight to food.

I have a few friends that always say upland hunting in snowy cold conditions is horrible for birds. Which there's alot evidence for some species like quail. Personally I think they just lean on it to stay in and stay warm.

 

[KMO385]

Best hunting occurs in the snow. I use labs for late season roosters. Pheasant aren't bothered by cold typically like quail
My th9n skinned dogs stay at home

I have brittneys they do good in cold, but the 3 I have now hate snow and ice in there paws so I've had to get them some bootys which helps them out alittle bit. But I dont think there the biggest fans of them the only reason they let put boots on them is they love to hunt and forget about them after a minutes

 

[brymoore]

Pheasants are what I've typically go after in the cold and snow, i always tend to find them in thick CRP on south face slopes getting some sun and within a short flight to food.

I have a few friends that always say upland hunting in snowy cold conditions is horrible for birds. Which there's alot evidence for some species like quail. Personally I think they just lean on it to stay in and stay warm.

There’s a lot of evidence that hunter game take of wild game birds has no effect on the population levels.

Obviously don’t do stupid stuff but a normal type hunt shouldn’t matter.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I’ve had plenty of great hunts in the subzero and snow on pheasants. But I’m a big fan of getting out early in the morning, catching them in the cattails, and being done. They are fairly hardy birds, though not as hardy as our natives usually. The only conditions that make me rethink it are if access to forage has been significantly compromised.

This year for example we had planned to spend the week of Christmas hunting. There was about 10” of snow a couple of days before, which by itself can be fine because the birds can still dig down through it. But then the night before our first hunt day we got 1/4 inch of rain on top of the snow. Either by itself probably not too bad but together…about as bad as it gets. Did hunt a short easy spot Christmas morning for an hour but that was it. Not only tough hunting, tough on the dogs, but also too hard on birds that can’t get through the ice crust to get down to food. Talked to a landowner today that said he’s already finding a lot of dead pheasants. I think our bumper crop of birds is going to take a really bad hit this winter.

 

[KMO385]

I’ve had plenty of great hunts in the subzero and snow on pheasants. But I’m a big fan of getting out early in the morning, catching them in the cattails, and being done. They are fairly hardy birds, though not as hardy as our natives usually. The only conditions that make me rethink it are if access to forage has been significantly compromised.

This year for example we had planned to spend the week of Christmas hunting. There was about 10” of snow a couple of days before, which by itself can be fine because the birds can still dig down through it. But then the night before our first hunt day we got 1/4 inch of rain on top of the snow. Either by itself probably not too bad but together…about as bad as it gets. Did hunt a short easy spot Christmas morning for an hour but that was it. Not only tough hunting, tough on the dogs, but also too hard on birds that can’t get through the ice crust to get down to food. Talked to a landowner today that said he’s already finding a lot of dead pheasants. I think our bumper crop of birds is going to take a really bad hit this winter.

I read and talk to biologist where they've said when the curst forms it a problem for many species besides pheasants , like many grouse species. Not only because of the food thing but they can't barrow in the snow so exposure and predation increases too. But I general don't shy away from pheasant hunting to the winter. If I do it's cause of my dogs

 

[KMO385]

There’s a lot of evidence that hunter game take of wild game birds has no effect on the population levels.

Obviously don’t do stupid stuff but a normal type hunt shouldn’t matter.

There alot of evidence that says that too, and what says a predator doesn't bump them either. I just like to hear what other people think. I feel like seeing other states and regions hunting ethics is interesting.

 

[huntin24/7]

I’ve had plenty of great hunts in the subzero and snow on pheasants. But I’m a big fan of getting out early in the morning, catching them in the cattails, and being done. They are fairly hardy birds, though not as hardy as our natives usually. The only conditions that make me rethink it are if access to forage has been significantly compromised.

This year for example we had planned to spend the week of Christmas hunting. There was about 10” of snow a couple of days before, which by itself can be fine because the birds can still dig down through it. But then the night before our first hunt day we got 1/4 inch of rain on top of the snow. Either by itself probably not too bad but together…about as bad as it gets. Did hunt a short easy spot Christmas morning for an hour but that was it. Not only tough hunting, tough on the dogs, but also too hard on birds that can’t get through the ice crust to get down to food. Talked to a landowner today that said he’s already finding a lot of dead pheasants. I think our bumper crop of birds is going to take a really bad hit this winter.

Totally agree. Seeing that in NE MT. The winter is already showing itself on the deer too. Whitetails have been shedding since mid December and muleys already too. Going to be a tuff year on wildlife in this country unless we get some major weather help. It doesn’t help either that crop yields were down significantly with the drought, so even when they get through the snow and ice, there’s already less food.

 

[KMO385]

My dog (GSP) is a house dog that hunts. I don't take her out if the temps are below 10 degrees. She also wears a vest if it's cold and I keep her dry when we get back to the truck. She also rides in the truck where it's warm. I wouldn't want to bust the birds out of the cattails in the evening if it's down near zero because I'm not sure if they will find another warm spot before it gets dark. Just my 2 cents. No scientific data to back any of it. Like the others have said above- cattails and similar cover seem to be awesome with some snow. 30 degrees is almost too warm because the snow gets wet and sticks to everything. I'd rather have it in the lower 20's if I had a choice.

Here's a question for you.....I too have house dogs that hunter, I run brittneys though. They are trained to hunt good enough for me by me. What do you feel makes a better hunting dog, an outside kennel dog or a house dog? I've heard both sides. I've had both personal i i think my dogs now are some of the best I've had. The same guy who inspired me to write this post, has outside/inside kennel only dogs but they aren't th3 best out in the field, he also doesn't spend lot time with the dogs so there's that too.

 

[Walkathon]

Here's a question for you.....I too have house dogs that hunter, I run brittneys though. They are trained to hunt good enough for me by me. What do you feel makes a better hunting dog, an outside kennel dog or a house dog? I've heard both sides. I've had both personal i i think my dogs now are some of the best I've had. The same guy who inspired me to write this post, has outside/inside kennel only dogs but they aren't th3 best out in the field, he also doesn't spend lot time with the dogs so there's that too.

Good question. I've never had outside kennel dogs so I don't have any experience with them. Mine have always been pets that I've somewhat trained to hunt. Guessing there are some others reading the thread that have experience with both.

Hunted after a blizzard a couple of years ago and found quite a few dead pheasants. Not sure if they suffocated from the snow/freezing rain or if they froze.