How Can I Have a Good Upland Bird Hunt?

Upland bird hunting is about skill, but sometimes, it's about luck too. There are all sorts of factors outside of your control that can cause your hunt to go off track. Even if you're doing everything right, relatively dry weather or an unfortunate run-in with a hapless flock of birds can result in a frustrating day. So, whether you're a seasoned veteran or an outdoor newbie, it's important to know when to abandon the hunt and head home. We've written down 3 signs to know when to quit early so you can enjoy other parts of your day.

Crowded Area

If you find your day to be severely changed by the presence of too many people in your hunting area, then it's a good bet that what's coming is going to be detrimental. A crowd of hunters can be very disruptive to the normal habits of an area's birds, and they tend to take up too much space on the ground while they're going through the motions of hunting. It will be hard for any single hunter to cover enough ground to make sure that he doesn't miss an opportunity.

Additionally, everyone wants to shoot at everything, often from too far away or at inappropriate times. This leads to missed opportunities and frustrated hunters who are ready for the day to be over when it's barely begun.

If you're hunting in a very busy spot, you may want to consider moving on. Or, at least try to get there earlier than everyone else so you can get out of the way before they show up or find another area where fewer hunters are present.

Gusting Wind

Wind can be a great friend or enemy, depending on the situation. While the wind is blowing and the conditions align, your dog will have the best chance of catching scent when running into the wind. However, if you are going out into the field and there is really gusting wind, chances are that scent will be all over the place and your dog may have trouble finding it. On the other hand, no wind can also be a problem for hunting, as conditions without wind are not great for running in and can make your dog less effective. If you’re going into the field, check the weather forecast and make sure that the wind is not going to be blowing too hard. Check also for any stormy conditions that may make your hunting experience less enjoyable.

Sudden Rain
There are a few things that can happen during an upland bird hunt that will make you curse the weatherman. For example, you've got your gear packed up, ready to go, and head out for a morning pheasant hunt. You show up at the spot where you like to start your day, only you find yourself in a downpour instead of a drizzle.

Hunting upland bird in the rain is hard because it makes birds change their behavior. They don't want to go out in bad weather, so they'll stay hidden under cover or they'll move around more than usual to avoid getting wet. This means you have less chance of finding them, but it also means they'll be easier to flush once you do get them up!

If it's pouring down rain, then you may as well just call off your hunt and wait until the sky clears up later on in the day (or even tomorrow).

Take the Ups and Downs of Upland Bird Hunting in Stride

If you're an upland bird hunter like me, then you know there are endless reasons why a hunt can be tough, including weather, your dog, or a pesky rabbit that took off at the wrong time. When those things happen, you can still have a great day if you take things in stride and realize that while nature is a beautiful thing, it doesn't always play by our rules. Once you get past the disappointment and move on to the productive parts of upland bird hunting, you can come away with some valuable lessons learned that will improve your performance in the field.

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