Another Buck Down!

Another Big Buck Down!

Chris, from Georgia, shot this nice Whitetail at Rolling Plains Adventures this September on the first day and first hour of the hunt!  Lets hear the story.

It was Saturday evening and Chris was getting packed up  from the lodge on the ranch to head out hunting.  The weather was a little warm, but the wind was perfect.  We left for the stand at about 5:30 and Chris was settled in the stand by 6.  Last light is around 9:30 at this time of the year.

With only a few minutes of sitting, here comes a doe right to the stand.  It moved back and forth into the corn field for the next hour or so, so when it appeared again, Chris assumed it was the doe.  It was a buck this time.  A nice 9 pointer.  Without hesitation, Chris went through his checklist in his head to make the perfect shot.  When he knew it was a shooter, he told himself that it will be like shooting another doe to keep him calm.  At about 20 yards, Chris went full draw with his arrow pointing right at the buck.  At about 7 pm, the arrow was released right into the vitals.  Perfect shot!

The buck ran about 90 yards before going down.  What a perfect way to end your hunt on the first day....first hour of your hunt! 

Congrats Chris!

Youth Pheasant Weekend Oct. 5-6

Monday, September 23, 2013

North Dakota’s two-day youth pheasant season is Oct. 5-6. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may hunt roosters statewide.
Resident youth hunters, regardless of age, must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and general game and habitat license. Nonresident youth hunters from states that provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents qualify for North Dakota resident licenses. Otherwise, nonresident youth hunters must purchase a nonresident small game license.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course. The daily bag limit and all other regulations for the regular pheasant season apply.
An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter in the field. The adult may not carry a firearm.
See the 2013 North Dakota Small Game Hunting Guide for additional information.

Corey Scores again @ Rolling Plains Adventures

Corey returned this fall for another opening weekend bow hunt at the ranch.  Bow season opened labor day weekend or Friday at noon.  Corey stated "I am not going to shoot my buck early this year, like I did last year."  Well Corey, you waited until your second nights hunt to score this buck. 

It was Saturday evening in the stand (bee hives stand) and it seemed like a perfect night.  We dropped Corey off around 5 PM and we received a call by 7PM.....BIG BUCK DOWN! 

This buck came right in to about 20 yards of the stand.  Corey drew back his bow and slammed his arrow perfectly into the vitals of this buck.  The buck only ran about 100 yards, and it was over.  We went right to the buck for some field photos, and were out of the area one hour before dark! 

This buck is going to look great on your wall Corey, great job again!

Duck hunting season getting very close!

  Duck and goose season opens very soon in North Dakota and we are pumped.  The habitat looks great, the duck and goose numbers are strong, and the dogs are ready to go. 

If you have traveled through North Dakota this summer, you will know what I am talking about when I say the numbers are strong.  There are ducks everywhere!  Any pond, pothole, or lake is loaded up with ducks. 

If you aren't excited about duck hunting yet, come to North Dakota and you will be!  See you soon!

North Dakota Bow Season Opens Friday!

 
  Who is excited about bow season opening in 2 days?  I know we are!  We have been out scouting for months now and we will see how it all pans out as the first archery hunters take stand on Friday. 

It will be hot though, so we are positive the movement will be slower.  Luckily, we only need a couple of minutes before dark to bring one of those big boys to the ground.  So far many of the bucks are moving with plenty of daylight left. 

We all have high hopes of great success this early archery season.  Good luck to all hunters hitting the field this fall.

From your team at Rolling Plains Adventures,

Happy Hunting!

North Dakota Pheasant Hunting Forecast

 

North Dakota – Pheasant Population Up 59 Percent (from ND Pheasants Forever)

Forecast: North Dakota pheasant numbers will be improved over all portions of the state compared to the past few seasons, up 59 percent as indicated by the state's roadside survey count, reports Stan Kohn, Upland Game Management Supervisor with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department. Kohn says mild winter weather and good spring weather plus nesting habitat availability in the spring equated to better nesting success and brood survival. Last year, hunters bagged 683,563 roosters in North Dakota.

Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicate the number of broods was up 37 percent and number of birds observed was up 30 percent from 2011. Observers counted 19 broods and 168 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was 6.5. “Census numbers indicate this district will have the best pheasant numbers in the state this fall,” Kohn said. “A stronger breeding population this spring coupled with good production should provide hunters with plenty of birds and a good number of young birds this fall." Kohn says while the southwest portion of North Dakota will have the best numbers, wingshooters would be wise not to overlook the central part of the state.

Results from the southeast show the number of birds observed was up 134 percent from last year, and the number of broods was up 144 percent. Observers counted nine broods and 88 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was 6.6. “Even though this district shows a large percentage increase, pheasant numbers were pretty low last year,” Kohn said. “With that said, hunters should see more pheasants than in 2011, especially after row crops are harvested.”

Statistics from the northwest indicated pheasants are up 258 percent from last year, with broods up 268 percent. Observers recorded nine broods and 79 birds per 100 miles. Average brood size was 6.3. “Similar to the southeast, hunters should temper expectations because numbers were low in this district last year,” Kohn said. “There will be some areas where pheasant hunting will be slow.”

Season Dates: October 12 through January 6, 2013
Daily Bag Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Field Notes:: If you’re thinking about traveling to North Dakota, note that if you’re born after 1961, you must complete a certified hunter education course and show proof of certification when buying a license.

North Dakota is prime duck and pheasant hunting!

If you have never experienced North Dakota in the fall, you need to add it to your bucket list. 

The ring neck pheasant hunting is some of the best in the country.  You will witness thousands of pheasants while visiting this great state.  Hunting pheasants is so much fun to do alone with your dog, or with a large group of buddies. 

The duck and goose hunting in North Dakota is also at the top of the list.  North Dakota is known as the "duck factory" or the breeding grounds for many ducks.  North Dakota is also the pot hole region, which is perfect for nesting and hunting.  Early season you will find strong local numbers of ducks, while mid to late season you will find the big migration coming through.  This is the time you will have the chance to witness the tornado's of waterfowl pouring into your decoy spreads.  If you have never had the opportunity to experience this, this is a must.  If you are not a waterfowl hunter, I guarantee you will become one once you experience  how fun it truly is!

Duck hunting Migration