2017 Pelee Island first hunt

[dilly]

Anybody going over to the island? I decided to take the dogs and am camping. Weather looks clear but warm. I am thinking a lot of crops may still be standing. Anybody know?

[bdog]

Don't know about the crops, but I'm on the 12:15 boat for the next 3 weeks

[chocolateman]

We are in the for 3rd hunt. Have not heard any updates on the crops
I have a buddy going over this week for the 1st hunt and I will get an update from him

[Mount Sweetness]

I would guess that atleast half of the beans are off. Should not be a problem.

[dilly]

Well, I am back from the Island. This was my third trip over and each experience has been different. First time was camping with my Father. Was a good time, but I found the chaos a bit off-putting as well as the actions of some slob-hunters. Second time I went with a small group of four. We rented a nice cottage and had a great time. Less pressure from other hunters and nice digs. This time I camped again and went alone and brought my two dogs. It was a little warm, but the hunter pressure in my area was down and I got in some of the best hunting Pelee has to offer. I opted to shoot (at) only roosters and passed on all the hens. My dogs did great on the birds, which tended to try to sneak away rather than hold. The dogs adjusted and got the birds up for some good shots.

The old 16 ga model 12 Winchester was all I needed, and I never felt under-gunned.

The birds were outstanding. All were healthy, had long beautiful tails, and flew fantastic. I produced birds on every run we did. The MNR checked me three times and were very friendly and helpful. They said many hunters were having to work to find birds. I guess I was lucky.

As a bonus, I got to meet some new friends who were also camping but had no dogs. I was able to take them out and get them a few birds and show them the "dog side" of upland hunting. I also reconnected with some VDD folks from Michigan and had a great visit. On top of all that, there was the delicious bounty...

All in all, the first hunt 2017 was awesome.

[terrym]

Sounds great. I chose not to go this year because my dog is new and I want to work on her obedience this year but I think next year is a go. I also experienced quite a bit of slob hunters on my first trip.

[chocolateman]

Great report and sounds like the dogs worked well.
Some questions for you
Where do you camp on the island? and do they have facilities' (water, bathroom) for your use?
What type of vest is that on picnic table (I am looking for a good light upland vest) and do you recommend it
You were stopped 3 times by the CO? in the same day? by the same CO? I also heard from a friend that he was stopped 3 times as well, twice while they were working birds.
Are they checking birds and license, guns? I like to see the CO's out, but if they are stopping you a couple times a day and asking the same questions it seems excessive to me.

[Eddy22]

Great report and sounds like the dogs worked well.
Some questions for you
Where do you camp on the island? and do they have facilities' (water, bathroom) for your use?
What type of vest is that on picnic table (I am looking for a good light upland vest) and do you recommend it
You were stopped 3 times by the CO? in the same day? by the same CO? I also heard from a friend that he was stopped 3 times as well, twice while they were working birds.
Are they checking birds and license, guns? I like to see the CO's out, but if they are stopping you a couple times a day and asking the same questions it seems excessive to me.

Looks awesome. Would love to try that someday.

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk

[dilly]

There a municipal campground called the "East Park campground" on the island. Sites don't have electric but they have a washroom and showers etc.
The vest is a "badlands" upland vest. Not cheap but I LOVE it. Fits like a back pack and has a waterbladder compartment. I've had it for years and it holds up.
The CO who was checking me seemed more bored than anything. Only did the license thing the first time and each time he drove over to my site when I was cleaning birds. When I hit the limit on the second morning, he actually suggested that I eat a couple birds so I could keep hunting. So I did....possession is 10 so I never exceeded that. Shot 12 total.

[fishhawk]

dilly nice dogs and great gun!