We left Western Oklahoma for Great Bend KS on Sunday. We had planned on spending the night at the Refuge there, but a darn near blizzard was going on and the roads about to ice over so we decided to head on to the next destination near Stockton. We had been running late and would have to set up camp in the dark anyway. No snow on arrival so that made setting up camp nice. We commandeered a pavilion because no one else was camping in the area of the park we picked due to water off and restrooms closed due to the winter season. We were allowed to keep it for the duration.



We took the first pheasant the next morning at the first WIHA we tried.



It was very windy, wet, and cold early on, but I did lose the coat by the next unit or two.



We drove past a lot of units that I am certain had birds, but hard for two hunters and one dog to hunt. So we stayed with sloughs, fingers, uncut strips, crp along water or roads. Anything where we could push birds into an obstacle. I can say we at least saw birds at most every WIHA unit we walked. Not a single one was empty. They just often fooled us with how they would leave. Some misses and some flights into the sun that delayed the shot. And of course Blaze takes credit for some birds, but most would not stay put. But overall we did well for hunting just post opening weekend.



We also found quite a few Quail on two of the days. On one WIHA we found 4 covies in a row and probably could have found more on that particular one, but we moved to another area where we had been pushing the pheasants into from the same place.



Overlooked by most other Pheasant hunters, we always glassed tanks and would switch to a different vest with non tox shot if we saw waterfowl. Always nice to have some bonus birds.

Steve watching Blaze walk by with a Gadwall he shot.



With regular and Green headed Pheasants.



And Redhead and Mallard bonus birds from Thursday. We had a chance at Geese on this pond, but they worried away before we got in position for the shot.

Other game seen.



Flash picture from the cab on the drive back to camp. We actually saw quite a few nice bucks in the mornings both whitetail and Mule Deer. Mostly in units we passed up due to not being the right habitat for birds.





One of the many Ghost Farms. I crossed the middle of this one while Steve circled. I had a strange feeling when in this one that stood the hair up on my back. Lots of ruins and farm equipment not in the picture including what would have been a den to the farm house. We had no wind while there and the windmill started creaking. When Steve said he had the same vibe as me, we left pronto.



I am always drawn to big trees. They fascinate me. One of the biggest diameter trunks I have seen. Like a trees out of the Wizard's OZ.





I will close with this Picture of Blaze at some uncut strips of Milo we hunted.