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We opened up the Iowa bird season this past weekend. Harvest is only about half done in SC Iowa, but the two britts managed to locate enough birds for even me to harvest a pheasant limit, and the 2 big covey yielded 3 plump bobs. M37, IC tube, Win 3 1/4 dr, 1 1/8 oz, 7 1/2's.

Was interesting to note on the "favorite shot" thread the few 7 1/2 fans. It is my favorite early season load, especially when "mixed bag" hunting. The 3 roosters folded on the first shot, now if you think I'm bragging, the 3 quail accidently flew into one of my other 8 shots.

Now this weekend is the KS pheasant opener, weekend after next the KS quail opener, and the weekend after that the AR duck opener. I am humbled by the patience of my spouse.

How was the weather in Iowa? My buddy hunted around Webster City; I was invited but couldn't go. He was walking around in a t-shirt in a pic he sent back; didn't look like pheasant weather to me!

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

I have never hunted roosters with anything smaller than 6's.Here on the Illinois prairie where cover is scarce and the birds even more scarce they tend to rise at long range and the larger shot is definetely an asset.

39 when I let the dogs out in the morning, 60's in the afternoon with a nice nw breeze.

Hoashooter-longest shot was 25 yards, early season birds, broken country, hunting primarily hedge rows between corn fields. Next weekend will be CRP in Central KS, probably go with 5's.