After a golf trip in 2019 and no trip of any kind last year, we're headed back into the marsh & the fields - specifically to Underwood, ND. Our plan is to arrive early on Thursday the 21st and hunt through Friday the 29th. Our hunting expectations are a bit lower than some past years, for several reasons. We have only 2 dogs, Jackson & Winnie. This will be the first trip we've taken planning to hunt both ducks & pheasants where we didn't have at least 3 dogs. The arthritis in Winnie's wrist (lasting effects from the fungal infection she contracted in SD in 2017) is going to limit her hunting significantly- though we're not sure exactly how much. Jackson's in good health but 'life' has prevented us from doing much training or getting him into top physical shape.
The weather reports tell us that it's one of the driest years in ND in quite some time (reduced pond counts & therefore numbers of resident ducks). The overall projected duck numbers are still above the long term average, so we're hoping that the reduced pond counts will concentrate the ducks more, to provide decent hunting. Pheasant populations are about 'normal' for ND, so there's also hope that we'll do ok in the afternoons. We're traveling light - no boat - so hopefully less complications, better gas mileage, & easier driving. It's 1700 miles each way from Atglen & a little over 1400 from Pennsboro, so fingers crossed for smooth sailing!
Overall, I/we are looking forward to being together & with our dogs & making the best of whatever the situation turns out to be. Dad is again accompanying us & both Dan & I are happy that he decided to come. The long-range forecast shows that low temps should be in the upper 30's & highs will be in the mid/upper 50's, so he'll be happy that it's not brutally cold. 😂
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