Favorite bird to hunt

[ClaytonLowell]

Reading the trophy bird thread has made me think about what birds are special to different folks. It seems there is some regional preference for different species of birds. Like guys on the west coast prefer widgeon or guys down in Mississippi like their greenheads.

What’s your favorite bird to hunt and where are you from?

To start with, I’m from Iowa and my favorite hunts are pintail in a recently harvested field.

I'm a PNW waterfowler....greenheads are king! I did just get my first wood duck this last season and it was epic!

 

[fowlweatherfowler]

From the greatlakes. We really enjoy the gadwall in the marsh and the bluebill on the lake. Having traveled all over you can defiantly see areas have their own niche bird and way to do it. I am very close to having all the NA pairs

 

[IdahoElk]

Chukar, Huns and Quail because that’s what is around me.

 

[juju]

Turkeys are the only species I'll hunt enough to lose weight over. I'd say they're my favorite but it's more of an abusive relationship at this point. I'm in the SE where there are very few birds these days.

 

[GSJJV]

For me it has to be Az Gambel quail. From Oct-Feb, if I’m not scouting for my deer hunt I’m kicking the sticks chasing these birds. Oct can still be pretty warm but as the months go on Az has the perfect weather to be out in the field.

 

[Blockcaver]

Huns, sharptails, early season blues (dusky grouse), quail, roosters, chukars, they are all great fun with our Vizsla. No strong preference!

 

[ChiefR53]

Favorite is ruffed grouse, but it sure is a long way to travel.

 

[medvedyt]

grouse and ptarmigans and of course watching the dog doing the work she s been trained and having fun.

nothing better than the feel of the frost in the fall and the joy of the dog smelling birds and bringing them back.

 

[Huntndog]

Dove and ruffed grouse, but our grouse have all but disappeared.

 

[spoonbill82]

My favorite bird to hunt is pheasant.

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

Timberdoddles (Woodcock)
Grouse
Pheasants

 

[Flatland Fit Man]

For me its Pheasants in the Dakotas or Waterfowl in the great lakes!

 

[BCDJR]

Quail over pointing dogs

 

[EmperorMA]

I am lucky enough to live in a state that has generous seasons for California Valley and Mountain Quail, Ruffed, Spruce, Sooty and Dusky Blue Grouse, plus Chukar, Huns, Ptarmigan and Pheasant. We also have nice populations of Sharptail Grouse and Sage Grouse but currently do not have seasons for them.

It is a dead tie for me between California Valley Quail and Huns. Both are perfect quarry for my English Setter and English Pointer and both are among the tastiest things you can eat. The Huns rise together and fly together as a covey and the little Valley Quail are absolute rockets that often flush in waves and in different directions providing very exciting but difficult shooting.

That being said, I hunt Chukar most often. I have a love/hate relationship with those devil birds and there is just enough of the hate to make them slip to second place.

Our upland season stretches from Sept. 1 to January 31.

 

[sage1]

Pheasant, love the sound of a rooster cackle and exciting flush,

 

[johnnycake]

This is the epitome for me

 

[sage1]

Dang, are you on skis

 

[johnnycake]

Dang, are you on skis

Yep. Season near my house runs August 10 to March 31, and skis are the best way to chase those ptarmybastages for most of the season

 

[AndrewMT34]

I love hunting Chukar and Huns.. Last year was my first year chasing sharptail in eastern montana. That was a blast as well but makes for some short days hunting in the early september heat.

 

[Sandhills]

Growing up in South Alabama, I loved turkey hunting, and it was pretty hard as lots of people did it.

Now I lived in North Idaho and I don't think I've met a person yet that turkey hunts.
The turkeys are also way less wary that Bama birds, my 8 year old has called in a tom just yelping with her mouth.

Thats the only way I've ever called turkeys..never used a call. Learned watching hunting shows and I thought everyone could do it until I learned diaphragm calls were a thing