Report was done by my father on July 12, 2020 near Dodge City, Kansas
I have been taking advantage of the small window early each morning when the heat is not unbearable to take the GSP and Britt out to get some miles under them along the county roads. We are in prime bird county and this is the third year I have lived here and have traveled these roads many times all times of the year. The wheat has been cut for a few weeks now and what I see the most are mourning doves taking advantage of the spilled wheat on the dirt roads where the grain carts were loaded.
What I do not see are pheasants or quail. An occasional mature rooster or gentleman bob on the prowl for a hen that may be re-nesting. I know this is not the easiest time of year to see birds unless they are graveling on the roads or are crossing them but sadly, I am not seeing birds like I have in the past this time of year. In fact, I have only see two rooster pheasants and 1 male bobwhite over the past 2 weeks and I think the rooster sighting was the same bird but on two different days since it was in the same general location.
We are coming off the last hunting season, where, if my hunting journal reflects the actual population based on what we bagged- we saw a 60-70% decrease over the 2018-2019 season. To make matters worse we have had 2-2 ½ weeks of 100 degree temperatures with no rain. There has not been a measurable rain here since the third week of June and that brought large hail in spots, thus providing even more grim prospects for those swaths. I also have not seen many grass hoppers which the young birds need as not only a food source but also more critically, water.
I know it is too early to tell what the Fall 2020 season opener will hold and I know regardless I will be out there with dog, gun and high hopes and will settle for enjoyable miles behind good bird dogs, family in tow and enough shots to keep you pushing that extra mile because right over that hill there will be birds.
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