Let me preface this by saying I grew up in Minnesota hunting ring necks with my father in Minnesota and South Dakota. I've hunted public land, private land, and a good share of private pheasant clubs in the midwest.
A couple of months ago I was the high bidder on a 10 bird guided pheasant hunt that was donated by the Western Mass bird dog club to the Gun Owners' Action League for their fund raising dinner in Saugus.
I made arrangements with Jim Waitkus of WMBDC to have myself, Jon Green, and Adam LaGross hunt on the Marine Corps birthday (Nov 10th). We arrived at 11am and were greeted by Jim and Olen Bielski. From the moment we were warmly greeted by Jim and Olen I knew we were going to be in for a fun day. Olen was our guide for the day and he brought his two labs, Felix (black), and Buster (yellow).
Once we were all loaded up we headed out to the first field. Felix and Buster worked wonderfully back and forth in front of us. You could tell when they got on scent and started getting birdy as their tails started to stand up and wiggle quickly back and forth as they were in hot pursuit. They flushed a couple of birds right off the bat and because they were working nice and close to us they were easy 20 yard shots on both birds. It was a great way to start the hunt!
We ended up with four birds in the first field and tree line then we headed back to the club house for a break. After a short break we headed down to the swamp, this area has a creek running right down the middle of it and the cover is very thick. Felix and Buster were working hard locating birds in the 2' high cover. The two of them flushed a handful of birds in the swamp and made some remarkable retrieves in the thick cover. Once we finished walking the swamp we headed back up to the club house again.
When we arrived at the club house Jim already had a grill full of marinated pheasant cooking. We chatted with Olen a bit before he had to take off and headed inside the club house for some absolutely delicious grilled pheasant. There were some other members inside and we chatted with them and Jim while we all ate. Everyone at the club made you feel like you were at home and it was like hunting with family. It was truly a remarkable experience and by far the best experience I have had at a private hunting club.
I know I speak for Adam and Jon when I say to Jim and Olen, Thank you very much for the wonderful hunt. I can't wait to get back there again.
Derek and Adam upon arrival.
Olen and Felix.
Felix with another retrieve.
Adam in the field.
Jim and Buster.
Derek in the field with Felix just in front of me working.
Olen setting up Felix for a blind retrieve.
Buster coming back after a very hard retrive across the creek and in some very thick cover.
From left to right. Adam, Derek, Jim, Jon, Olen, Buster, and Felix.
Jon's yellow lab pup Bella got some early training with a solid bird drag.
If you have been thinking about going to a private club for a pheasant hunt I strongly suggest you give WMBDC look, I would give them a very strong 10 out of 10.
A couple of months ago I was the high bidder on a 10 bird guided pheasant hunt that was donated by the Western Mass bird dog club to the Gun Owners' Action League for their fund raising dinner in Saugus.
I made arrangements with Jim Waitkus of WMBDC to have myself, Jon Green, and Adam LaGross hunt on the Marine Corps birthday (Nov 10th). We arrived at 11am and were greeted by Jim and Olen Bielski. From the moment we were warmly greeted by Jim and Olen I knew we were going to be in for a fun day. Olen was our guide for the day and he brought his two labs, Felix (black), and Buster (yellow).
Once we were all loaded up we headed out to the first field. Felix and Buster worked wonderfully back and forth in front of us. You could tell when they got on scent and started getting birdy as their tails started to stand up and wiggle quickly back and forth as they were in hot pursuit. They flushed a couple of birds right off the bat and because they were working nice and close to us they were easy 20 yard shots on both birds. It was a great way to start the hunt!
We ended up with four birds in the first field and tree line then we headed back to the club house for a break. After a short break we headed down to the swamp, this area has a creek running right down the middle of it and the cover is very thick. Felix and Buster were working hard locating birds in the 2' high cover. The two of them flushed a handful of birds in the swamp and made some remarkable retrieves in the thick cover. Once we finished walking the swamp we headed back up to the club house again.
When we arrived at the club house Jim already had a grill full of marinated pheasant cooking. We chatted with Olen a bit before he had to take off and headed inside the club house for some absolutely delicious grilled pheasant. There were some other members inside and we chatted with them and Jim while we all ate. Everyone at the club made you feel like you were at home and it was like hunting with family. It was truly a remarkable experience and by far the best experience I have had at a private hunting club.
I know I speak for Adam and Jon when I say to Jim and Olen, Thank you very much for the wonderful hunt. I can't wait to get back there again.
Derek and Adam upon arrival.
Olen and Felix.
Felix with another retrieve.
Adam in the field.
Jim and Buster.
Derek in the field with Felix just in front of me working.
Olen setting up Felix for a blind retrieve.
Buster coming back after a very hard retrive across the creek and in some very thick cover.
From left to right. Adam, Derek, Jim, Jon, Olen, Buster, and Felix.
Jon's yellow lab pup Bella got some early training with a solid bird drag.
If you have been thinking about going to a private club for a pheasant hunt I strongly suggest you give WMBDC look, I would give them a very strong 10 out of 10.
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