Like many, you just spend the remainder of the Winter in hibernation mode. If you're lucky enough to have a beagle, or have a really good friend with one, then you'll get out the odd Saturday for some bunnies. Many folks circle the date for the Turkey opener, and keep going back to count the days.
There are other options.
Ontario, as does many other areas, has a Late Winter goose season. For two weeks, it opens up, and allows you to get out in the field for Canada's and Cackling geese. Now spending a day out in a pit or coffin blind may not be ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. Dig out the shells, silhouettes, and flags, and have at it for a day or two.
The other option, one that I have opted for the last three years running, is a game farm hunt.
Now, wait. I know there are a ton of you who will sneer while reading this snug at home in your camo Snugglies, and snort derisively that "Game Farms aren't hunting".....well, not in the purest sense. But in a long Winter, it is an activity that will get you out in the field, shooting, working the dog, and putting birds in the freezer at days end.....which isn't a bad proposition. If you happen to know a newer hunter who didn't get out as much last season, or has recently completed their license, it's a great way to introduce them to hunting as well.
I recently fielded a day at our local game farm. It was not only a nice mild February day, but also got a couple of newer hunters out on some birds, as well....the dog slept better than she has in months.
I've used the same place for three years. High Point Pheasantry near Dundalk ON. The host Andy Rennie runs a large 150 acre parcel, which is a combination of hayfield, fallow field, scrub, and bush. Andy seems to always have great quality birds, as well as a great clubhouse area where guests can warm up, have lunch, and relax between or after hunts. High Point typically stocks both pheasants and chukars, however during the cold months, they don't stock chukars, as they don't seem to fly in colder temps. Typical cost for a day is $100 per person. Andy will usually do a combination 3 phez, 2 chukars for that, or 4 phez's.
With three hunters for the day, I packed us a lunch, and we arrived at High Point between 0930 and 1000. Once unpacked, and kitted up, Andy took to the field with the first 6 birds.
Now driven field hunting is pretty much the same the world over. You set out at one end, spread out with shooters in a line spanning the field, and you walk the field, letting the dog cut the field in search of scent. Now, some folks may set up differently, but I have found that two experienced at each end of the line, with novice shooters in the center works best. As birds flush, the middle shooters have an opportunity at more shots, and the experienced shooters at the edges tend to act as blockers, and shoot clean up for birds that are missed and flushing away from the field, typically moving towards the thicker cover at the field edges.
Another factor is your dog. If you have a pointer, or a spaniel, for upland, you're golden. However, if you own a retriever, you will have to do some very specific work up training for any kind of upland hunting. Just showing up with a lab, chessie, or golden to the field with the expectations of a good hunt will likely wind up with disappointment, and frustration for you and the dog. Remember, all retrievers will happily swim out and retrieve a downed bird, but they don't necessarily have the tools in the "tool kit" at scenting birds in cover, and flushing them out for shot.
I happen to be blessed with a great Labrador, from very good American Lab lines. She has taken to upland training, and hunting as well as any retriever would to retrieval training. For the upland hunter, having a dog that will cut a field is important, the main difference is that a pointer, or spaniel will point, or whoa when bumping a bird. A lab, will "get birdy", meaning they will start doing 180s to get on the strongest scent, and tail will become very active. As a hunter, it's important to have your lab trained to "hunt close", as they will bump birds out of gun range otherwise. Once zero'd on a bird, the lab will literally push it's head into the cover, and produce the flush. A dog is a must, as a hunter will literally have to step on a bird in cover to get them to flush.
The first go out, 6 birds were placed in cover on a field approx 250m x 150m. The field started out as a cleared parcel, but quickly grew thick with cover and timber at the far end. With only three hunters, it can be difficult to cover the terrain adequately, as placed birds don't exactly stay put, but we covered a lot of field, and watched the dog diligently. At the end of the field, we had 4 birds in the bag, and two flushes which went into far thicker cover. So after coming up with a game plan, we started to move through the thicker cover and scrub. After moving through the area of trees interspersed with tall grasses. The dog worked her usual magic, and produced both birds, which were flushed out, and summarily put in the bag.
Break, for lunch. Now, I'm one of those folks who like to organize these trips, and act as the outfitter, so lunch is usually a pretty good affair, put on by yours truly. Wild game chili, stew or some other hot, and rich offering, coupled with warm bread. Usually there aren't any leftovers.
Back out for the afternoon, and another 6 birds. Warmer temps meant the birds were moving a bit more, and were a little quicker to flush.
we began in a thick area of mixed timber, and open pasture, the birds typically flushed straight up, and then pulled a mid air 90 degree, towards the thick stand of woods. I'm happy to say that our new hunter took his first bird that afternoon with a clean flush, two shots, and an enthusiastic retrieve from the dog. The smile couldn't be wiped off with a boat paddle as the expression goes. Not to say that there weren't a few flushes where a gun got emptied, and I had to mop clean up with my gun, but that's all part of the experience.
The day closed out, with 11/12 birds being taken. Big smiles on all faces, and a dog that started snoring before we turned off the driveway on to the concession. All in all, a great day of hunting spent in the "off season".
Enough reading....go shooting.
