Montana for pheasant - who's been there?

popcan

popcan

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Planning on a trip to Montana for pheasant, as a buddy of mine has a line on an outfit that charges about 100.00 USD/day, meals and accomodations included, in pheasant territory.

Anyone been down there?

Plus, what's involved in bringing our shotguns across the line?
(I presume we have to buy ammo there).

thanks.
 
I went down a few years ago... we did our own accomodations, and it was a lot of fun.

It was before Sept 11 though, so the bringing across shotguns was almost laughable. All we had to do on the Canadian side was fill out a card with the serial numbers. We asked if they wanted to verify them, and they said, 'Nah, too much trouble'. We simply showed the card we filled out on the way in when crossing back - no questions, searches, nothing.

Either way, they have pretty good pheasant hunting down there. Not South Dakota good, but still lots of fun.

If you don't have a dog... good luck to you sir. They are heavily hunted in some regions, and smarter than you would imagine.

$100 USD/day isn't too bad for a vacation!
 
Your biggest issue is bringing firearms across the border in this day and age...

You ned to fi out some forms for the BATF and get your LIcence PRIOR to gogint hrer, I think..

Post somethign in General Firearms abotu it, for more info.

Been to Montana a few times, never hunted there, but for $100 a day, that is peanuts, especiay if they supply a dog. That is what I spend in beer/bail money for Bartell in a day...:p
 
I used to go regularly on opening day to Plentywood, Montana -- just south of Regina. Keep in mind that this was 10 years ago, so I'm not sure what it's like now. But we used to have a great time and would limit out every morning (and we didn't have dogs to work the bush). Nice country around there and lots of cooperative ranchers. Everyone really caters to the hunters because they bring a lot of revenue in to the area. And back then it was easy to bring our guns across the border -- just showed them a card with the serial numbers. I'm sure that's changed today -- but if you happen to be using that particular border crossing, they get hundreds of pheasant hunters coming through, so it's not like you're a rarity.

Have fun and good luck!:dancingbanana:
 
We have to fill out some forms 4 weeks ahead of time, so we are getting that done.... then I guess there will be some different licencing for hunting etc.

We might be able to bring our own dog... but if not I think there are dogs available as part of the package.

What load/choke combos are best for pheasant? I was thinking #8's with a fairly open choke, maybe I/C....?
 
I like no.5 with modified and improved modified,they pattern well in my gun and have a real whomp. Birds will often get up way out there or if in close then just hold back until in your kill zone. When I was there several years ago the area east of Plentywood , near the North Dakota border was very good. They used orange paint on fence posts to signify NO HUNTING. As stated above the hunters bring a lot of revenue to motels, restaurants , bars etc. Most land was posted with the directions to the landowners home , often several miles away. Stopping to ask permission got us on some real good areas. When we filled out a form which the landowners provided they were able to turn it in and get a few bucks from the county for allowing hunting. Not sure if it was a cash payment or a break on taxes. It seemed a good program as the landowner gained and we were able to find out where to go to ask permission. Unlike Sask it is necessary to get permission, here it is advised but not a legal requirement.
 
Murf said:
Unlike Sask it is necessary to get permission, here it is advised but not a legal requirement.
Click to expand...

I think that you might want to verify that before you go hunting. The trespass act would apply to owned land, and probably on leased land as well. A farmer can refuse access to leased crown land if there is livestock on it. It's always easier to ask permission and avoid any trouble.
 
popcan said:
What load/choke combos are best for pheasant? I was thinking #8's with a fairly open choke, maybe I/C....?
Click to expand...

#8's are NOT a good pheasant load!!!!

They are friggen tough birds. If you hit one and it goes down alive, it will hit the ground running. MUCH faster than you can run, and will give a dog a run for it's money.

#4 2 3/4 lead with IC or Mod. If you're using dogs in a fairly well hunted area, they will NOT flush until you are within 20 feet of the end of the field (if yer pushin fields).

It's really cool to see these birds hide so well. You'll go through a tilled grain stubble field, and still put up birds. They come out of NOWHERE!!! Very cool.

But seriously, they are probably the toughest bird under turkey.
 
#8's are no good...

I suggest a minimum of #6, wiht a IC if they are close, and a Mod if they are far.

#5or #4 is probably a better idea. I'd rather miss with a few less pelets than wound abunch.
 
OK thanks guys for the heads up on shot size. I haven't hunted pheasant before, so it's all new to me. Didn't realize they were so tough, but now have heard that from several sources in my research.

I better pattern some 4,5 and 6 with different choke combos to see what works best. I also need to decide on 12g or 20g. Might have to bring both anyhow, as there are supposed to be a lot of sharptails there also!



GH, going to be doing some hunting in the Lillooet area later this month -

Anyplace you want me to stay away from? :D
 
Just tell me where you will be, and I wil come say HI.

And maybe even offer a cold beer;)

It's not far, for me...

PS I am drinking Haggisfest Whiskey rigth now. Thanks:)
 
Don't they have any pheasant preserves nearby where you pay to hunt? it's a good way to get a feel for it before you take the plunge on a big trip.

I did that last year for the 1st time and had a blast. I loved it. Dog did too! :)

IMG_1279.jpg
 
SuperCub said:
Don't they have any pheasant preserves nearby where you pay to hunt? it's a good way to get a feel for it before you take the plunge on a big trip.

I did that last year for the 1st time and had a blast. I loved it. Dog did too! :)
Click to expand...


Yes, SC, there is a private reserve not far way that I have an "in" on, and will be going there with a buddy who is a member.... but not sure if I will get there before the montana thing.

Is that your 20g Bobwhite? What loads do you like to use?
 
Hey,
I've heard some horror stories from the BATF on waiting for a Form 6 (Non-resident Firearms Permit) with some guys waiting a hell of alot longer than 4 weeks. I'd be working on that permit hard, and trying to get it all done quick. Without that in place, you wont be crossing south....

For pheasants, I like using a #4 or #5 and I find that it knocks them down hard. Depending on the area and where you hunt and how heavily they are hunted, they can flush at 5 yards or 40 yards. Watch for ends of hedge rows, bushlines, etc as birds will run to the ends at times and wait until the final step to flush. Walk each row to the VERY end and dont think that you've worked an area until you've walked through it. Trust your dog (if you're using one) and follow him/her even if you think they're crazy....they will find the birds.....

Good luck and have fun!!
 
There is a pheasant preserve in Litte FOrt, I've seent thier ads in the regs, athough never been there.

Aways wanted to check it out, actually, although I woudo have to hire one of thier dogs.:)
 
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