Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

Dakotazeb

Dakotazeb

Well-known member
Today I met an long time friend for an afternoon hunt. We probably only hunted 3-4 hours but we did harvest 4 birds, could have been a limit but that didn't matter. We had a great afternoon with some excellent dog work. Talked about old times as we walked along on a beautiful fall afternoon. When we finished back at the vehicles we reminisced about years gone by and how our future years in the field are numbered. Then sat on the back of our vehicles and enjoyed a Jack Daniels together before parting ways for our journey home. As I drove the 80+ miles home I had tears in my eyes thinking about what a great day we had. I looked up and thanked the "Man Upstairs" for giving me this day. If there is a more perfect day for a pheasant hunter I can't imagine what it would be. I just hope all of you are able to experience such a day and give thanks.
 
:10sign:

Congrats on the great hunt. Often times people, including myself sometimes, forget what hunting is "all about".

I will get home sometimes after not bagging anything and my wife will say "well, that sucks". Some days, yes it does suck, like when I can't hit anything or when other hunters ruin our plans, but most days, it doesn't suck at all.
 
A GREAT post !!!!! I too have many memories from over 25 years of long road trips with lifelong friend and now 1000+ mile road trips with my son !!! Hope that my Grandson will soon be included !!!
 
We are such a lucky bunch with all the beautiful land we see and memories we make while hunting, harvesting even one bird is just icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing your great day with us George.
 
Awesome post. That really, truly is what it's all about. We are fortunate group as pheasant hunters to be able to experience and understand just how important and special each day afield really is.
 
Great Post, just a few years ago a friend and I hunted North Dakota and Kansas in the same year and we had some great hunts. Numerous times during those hunts I said we're going to look back and say to ourselves "those were our Golden Hunts". I knew it at the time and still to this day I let my mind go back to those hunts and it puts a smile on my face.

Cherish every hunt an just enjoy the time in the field with the dogs and friends !! They too someday will be the "Great days a field"
 
The journey has been long, from those days of going hunting with my dad near Salem SD on uncle Ken's farm in the 50's to working on "improving the habitat" on my own ground. But oh what a journey it has been. From that first Rooster with a single shot 410 to doves and quail in Arizona in the 70's to pheasants on Ft. Dix New Jersey and in eastern Colorado. Back to Arizona for more Quail and Doves--even Ducks in the desert. Then back to South Dakota for 10 years and more pheasants and Sharp tail grouse, then off to Kanas for quail and pheasant. I've returned to South Dakota and shall remain here forever.

Yes the journey has been long--but oh so rewarding, so full or memories of places--people--dogs and birds--Yes I have been truly blessed, what more could a man ask for. :thumbsup:
 
People, making relationships with people and dogs, and getting out and enjoying nature is really what its all about.

Nice to read these posts.
 
Dakotazeb said:
Today I met an long time friend for an afternoon hunt. We probably only hunted 3-4 hours but we did harvest 4 birds, could have been a limit but that didn't matter. We had a great afternoon with some excellent dog work. Talked about old times as we walked along on a beautiful fall afternoon. When we finished back at the vehicles we reminisced about years gone by and how our future years in the field are numbered. Then sat on the back of our vehicles and enjoyed a Jack Daniels together before parting ways for our journey home. As I drove the 80+ miles home I had tears in my eyes thinking about what a great day we had. I looked up and thanked the "Man Upstairs" for giving me this day. If there is a more perfect day for a pheasant hunter I can't imagine what it would be. I just hope all of you are able to experience such a day and give thanks.
Click to expand...

Outstanding Zeb:10sign: I enjoyed your post very much. It's a great reminder for me today as I'll be headed out to pheasant country with my son to meet some friends (another member and his son) for the w/e. Only difference being that I get to have more than 1 drink tomorrow night b/c we're staying the night:p:cheers:
 
Good going George.:)
As You and many others know there should be a lot more to going pheasant hunting then counting numbers.
Then there are those that after reading a post of a guy walking a mile or two per bird shot.
All they can post is "PEN RAISED, PEN RAISED"
Does take all kinds, I guess.:confused:
 
I was thinking the same thing with one of my best friends I grew up with we went deer hunting and talked and hunted for a couple hours and then on my way back home I missed him I just enjoyed being with him killing a deeer would have just been a bonus we killed so many when we were kids lol I am so pitiful now I suck at deer hunting :(
 
Great post. I had the same experience field hunting mallards one evening about 8 years ago. We got some shooting in, but not a barrel burner. We were picking up after shooting hours, ducks were still coming out to feed, sun was just set, we were all telling jokes, great times.
 
Memories

I have been making the long trip out, first to Iowa, in 1987 throught 2006, and then to South Dakota through this year with virtually the same other three guys. We were in our thirties and now we are in our late fifties into our sixties. Numbers seem to be so important when you are younger and then as you get older a greater appreciation for just the fact that you are able to make the trip suddenly becomes more important. This year, my best buddy and hunting partner, lost his wife to cancer. He didn't make the trip for the first time since we started back in the 80's. Suddenly, the importance of these trips and what they mean to all of us became that much more obvious. Enjoy you times afield because you just don't know when that appointed day for you will be or when physical problems will suddenly end the enjoyment.
 
Thanks for sharing Zeb, very touching story.

I had a solo hunt yesterday where my dog made two pheasant retrieves out of the cattails breaking ice the whole time...second bird of a double was a blind retrieve through the ice and cattails. Most dogs couldn't have retrieved either bird...I watched in awe of her drive and desire. Today my son and I shot 2 limits of mallards. We probably would have lost 1/2 of them if it weren't for a good dog.

Made some memories for myself about the dog and with my son. Thought long and hard on the way home about how she just turned 6, and our time together afield is over half gone. Thought about my age, and that my hunting time with my son is over half gone. Thought about my Dad, and how I wish he could have shared the last 2 days hunts with my son and dog.

Sometimes a good day afield puts everything into perspective...and gives us reason to be thankful.
 
Great posts everyone. I share similar thoughts most every time we make the trip and when reflecting on the good times during the long ride home. I only wish it were a longer season and/or I could make more trips.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top