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I grew up in Iowa and had returned there every fall for pheasant season until the last two years. In north central Iowa, the last two very snowy, very cold winters each followed by two very wet springs have had a severe effect on the pheasant popluation there. Some friends from here and I meet my brothers and some of their sons in Kansas and hunt pheasant and quail between Christmas and New Years Day for the last couple of years.

We tried Oklahoma for quail north of Tulsa about 4 years ago and pheasant in the Texas panhandle 3 years ago, but neither was as good as central Kansas. I've heard that western Oklahoma is better for quail, but haven't made that trip yet to see for myself.

Send me a PM if you want a little information on the Matador WMA. It is a beautiful place to see, even if you don't hunt or find any birds. It will wear you down, however. Everything is up and down hills. My legs still hurt!

We got back from Childress Sunday evening after spending all day Saturday and about half the day on Sunday following the pointers through the mesquite trees and cactus and up and down the valleys and hills at the Matador WMA. We worked hard to get the 9 Bobs we got, but had a blast. Lots of sore muscles (me and the dog). My poor dog, Sugar, didn't expend a lot of energy today, which is unusual for her. She always runs around the back yard just for something to do.

I thought we did pretty well after reading the TPWD report saying the numbers would be a little below last year. We have spend several years there and are getting familar with the 28,000 acres. Even got a great interview for Andrew, the 14 year old son of my hunting buddy, with a game warden. That is what Andrew wants to do for a living (for now anyway!).

Three of us went, each got a few birds, but only had to split the birds 2 ways. They sure were good for supper tonight!