Kansas boys, this Southern Boy needs a little input.

[NCRANGER1]

My buddies have finally talked me into going along on the annual Kansas hunting trip. (Actually, I finally talked my wife into letting me go..lol) I will be in Kansas the Friday after Thanksgiving, through December 2nd. Pheasant, Quail, and Duck., I was hoping you fellas could give me a little insight on the following two questions:

1. What choke do you locals recommend for the quail and pheasant? We will have our dogs with us, so should I expect close in shooting?

2. How bad am I gonna freeze my a** off?

We will be around Dickinson County on a buddies family farm. Any help would be appreciated..

[Allsup]

Shoot a modified choke, or if your shooting a double gun shoot improved and then modified. The quail are quail, they may hold tight or they my flush a little wild. It kind of depends on the weather and how hard they've been hunted. The pheasants will flush a little more wilded that quail, but with a good dog(a pointing dog) they will hold for you too. If your dogs don't point or stay closer than 20 yards you may want a full choke.

Temps hard to say, It could be 75 and sunny or 30-40 with a nasty north wind. It should be to cold at thanksgiving

[Jiggernaut]

I am right next to Dickinson County. Our County is completely devoid of any pheasants whatsoever, which is why I am headed to SD. Not sure if you'll have to worry much about what choke, as you might be lucky to have anything to shoot at, if you're after pheasants. The quail population is much better and there should be some good action available in that regard. I think Dickinson Co might be faring a little better than our county, so it's very possible there could be some birds, but the pheasants in the central and north central part of the state are hurtin' right now. That being said, I would be shooting sixes most of the time, maybe 7 1/2's with a modified choke. Not sure what your definition of cold is, but my opinion is that it is hardly ever cold in this state, but I grew up where it could easily reach 30 below. You will wanna bring warm clothes, as it is possible to have cool temps in the freezing range that time of year.

[dport]

I saw 7 pheasants on the way into work yesterday.

[Tagg007]

I agree, modified is my choice. As for the clothing, like he said it could be in the mid 70's or it could be in the 30's with a nasty north wind. Ya never know so bring heavy & light gear. I hunt up by Concordia which is 30-45 minutes north of Salina (depending on who is driving). We have had a decent last two years but not anything like your going to get in S. Dakota. Duck hunting has been good for us on our ground here in Wichita can't say how it is North of here. Salina guys would know.

[kstatebass]

I hunt around Dodge City in Southwestern part of the state, the best pheasant hunting around and for quail hunting is just south of us. I agree with modified choke, as for the weather that dates when rifle seasons open so you can guarantee cold north winds 30 to 40 degrees and snow. Perfect deer, quail and pheasant hunting weather. You'll be coming the middle of pheasant season so you might have make some long shots as the pheasants will be spooky, you will also experience some birds getting up behind you where you have walked due to them setting tight if you are hunting CRP or milo fields.

Good Luck
Kyle Klein

[Bigbassbo]

M or IC for quail
M or F for pheasent depends how close there flushing
M or F for ducks
i use modified for all of the above but keep that full handy if the pheasent are flushin away out there or the ducks are spread shy
Dickinson county according to KDWP is where the primary range of pheasant and quail intersect being in eastern Ks we have absolutely no pheasant

You re gonna freeze bad get some coveralls and a nice coat
have a nice trip

[Bigbassbo]

been a wet year with lotsa floods wouldnt surprise me if the quail pheasant and turkey pop are down

[NCRANGER1]

Thanks for the input from all. Cold to me is probably like spring to you folks. I am actually looking forward to the quail partthe most. I used to quail hunt all the time with my family around here in NC, but our bird populations are gone. You cna hunt hard all day and if you are lucky you may find a small covey. More not than often. As far as the dogs go, they are hard pointers, and they will stay usually within 20-30 yards of us. I will be sure to bring plenty of clothes, as 30 degrees with a North wind will be like Alaska for me. Thanks for all the help, and if any of you make it down to NC, look me up and we will sore lip some bucket mouths.

Tight lines

[catchatoad]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bigbassbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
M or F for ducks
have a nice trip </TD></TR></TABLE>

Its federal law that all waterfowl must be hunted with non-toxic (steel shot) or other. If your using steel the last thing you want is a full choke. I almost always hunt waterfowl with an IC... if they are long shots maybe a mod. I've found using a full results in a blown pattern and will eventually mess up your barrel.

Hope this helps.

[TimS]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by catchatoad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Its federal law that all waterfowl must be hunted with non-toxic (steel shot) or other. If your using steel the last thing you want is a full choke. I almost always hunt waterfowl with an IC... if they are long shots maybe a mod. I've found using a full results in a blown pattern and will eventually mess up your barrel.

Hope this helps.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wise words from Terry. If you boys run out of things to shoot, look me up, not that far to the goose house from where you are going to be.

[Allsup]

Not to stir the pot to much, but I shoot Mod. then Full in my O/U. The Full choke says right on it that it can be use with steel shot. It patterns good out to about 50. The problem I have is that the steel loses velocity to quickly to kill anything DOA at 50 yards. I do like Kent Faststeel though.
my2cents

[Bigbassbo]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by catchatoad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Its federal law that all waterfowl must be hunted with non-toxic (steel shot) or other. If your using steel the last thing you want is a full choke. I almost always hunt waterfowl with an IC... if they are long shots maybe a mod. I've found using a full results in a blown pattern and will eventually mess up your barrel.

Hope this helps.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
Im aware of this and my full that i have is not for steel but i have seen some made for it

[Bigbassbo]

But a full and some hevi shot would take care of all of your long range water fowl needs

[NCRANGER1]

No problem with the steel. I shoot a patternmaster in my Benelli SBEII, ducks make a nice thump when they fall....