by Tim Esse
After a few days at home following our last hunting trip, we decided it was time to focus on pheasants. We headed to a familiar hunting ground near Hutchinson, Minnesota—an area known for its prime pheasant habitat. However, last year’s drought had taken a toll, leaving the usual ponds completely dry.
Due to an injury to my foot, I needed to adjust our typical hunting strategy. Instead of sending the dogs out separately as I usually do, I chose to work both dogs together to keep our outing within a 90-minute timeframe. We began our systematic sweep along the northern edge of the field, and the action kicked off almost immediately. The dogs picked up multiple scents, leading to several solid points on hens, and we even spotted a rooster take flight, though it was out of range.
As we followed our planned route, we curved westward through a quieter area with fewer birds. However, the southern part of the property proved more fruitful, as the dogs pointed out two more hens. The real thrill came along the eastern boundary when both dogs caught wind of a rooster. In the denser cover, the pheasant worked the scent along the field’s edge. When it finally flushed, I managed to take a shot, but it wasn’t a clean hit. Tasha, showcasing her tracking instincts, chased after it persistently. Although she got close several times, the bird ultimately escaped.
Venturing into the interior section of the property, we encountered several more points, mostly indicating hens. Our persistence paid off when we finally spotted a rooster, and this time, our aim was true, adding one to our game bag. After completing our circuit, we returned to the truck for a short break. I decided to kennel Tasha and continue with Val for the final stretch. The last half-hour was quiet in terms of rooster activity, and we wrapped up our hunt just shy of the 90-minute mark.
Throughout the outing, both dogs maintained their impressive performance, working efficiently despite the adjustments we made. While the drought’s effects were still visible in the landscape, the day offered a satisfying mix of action and success in the field.
