reddog
Well-known member
Ive had several different pms asking why Im not writing much this year. Until now, I havent really figured out why, and I'm not sure if I know why yet.
Ive been blessed with so many hunting opportunities this year, and had a great time on every trip, but something seems to be missing..
This weekend was a perfect example.
Had a great Thanksgiving feast with my inlaws in Minnesota, and headed out Friday for 3 days of solo hunting. My preference is to hunt solo. (and that may be part of the problem also) I dont have to discuss where I'm going with anyone but Breez, who now rides shotgun on the of the floor board of the truck. No discussion over whether to turn left or right. How to set up a field. No one to tell me my dog is 200 yards out. No discussion on which radio station is played. (not many of my friends, care for Willies Roadhouse on Sirius).
Breez exits the truck, just excited to be there, wherever that may be..
I decided to hunt where I had never hunted before to try to motivate/challenge myself to step up my game, and not hunt in my comfort zone.
Friday found Breez and I up in the Grasslands searching for a place to hunt. The weather was perfect, and the birds were your typical late season roosters. Very hard to corner on this day, and I ended up with one for the day. Saturday, found me near Presho with a cold front coming in strong. The morning started off nice at about 40 degrees, but the temps dropped to low 20s by mid afternoon, and the birds were not cooperating any better than they did the day before. Breez seems to be getting extremely frustrated with not being able to pin them down. She is trying very hard, and even adjusting her hunting patterns to try and short circuit them.
I was sitting next to a WIA about 2 pm with the windows down and binoculars up like I almost always do. Typically, for about half an hour before I venture in. I hear a few birds, and even see 3 roosters walk out of the tree line into the prairie. Im able to follow them thru the prairie about 300 yds and over a small hill, so I think they are going to lounge away the afternoon there. This is where I think I'm getting old. I drive away.. They win, I give up for today. I spend the rest of the day, driving around the countryside, enjoying the South Dakota prairies... birdless for the day... Not the first time ever in SD, but the first time ever without putting in 100%..
I dont know if deep down, Im grieving Ellies passing, because to be honest, I feel almost naked out there with only one (very, very good) hunting dog in the truck, or, Im just getting old. I am really looking forward to putting a couple more puppys in the arsenal, and hope that adds to my motivation.
Its possible, that I have taken the shine off of the hunting, because Ive been able to go too often... or, Im just getting old..
My very first grandaughter was born on Nov 9th.. I know there are alot of grandpas out there hunting, but its possible my priorities have changed.. or.. well, you know. and I'm alright with that.
Baby Madison: 11/10/14 9 hours old, and possibly on point!
Ive been blessed with so many hunting opportunities this year, and had a great time on every trip, but something seems to be missing..
This weekend was a perfect example.
Had a great Thanksgiving feast with my inlaws in Minnesota, and headed out Friday for 3 days of solo hunting. My preference is to hunt solo. (and that may be part of the problem also) I dont have to discuss where I'm going with anyone but Breez, who now rides shotgun on the of the floor board of the truck. No discussion over whether to turn left or right. How to set up a field. No one to tell me my dog is 200 yards out. No discussion on which radio station is played. (not many of my friends, care for Willies Roadhouse on Sirius).
Breez exits the truck, just excited to be there, wherever that may be..I decided to hunt where I had never hunted before to try to motivate/challenge myself to step up my game, and not hunt in my comfort zone.
Friday found Breez and I up in the Grasslands searching for a place to hunt. The weather was perfect, and the birds were your typical late season roosters. Very hard to corner on this day, and I ended up with one for the day. Saturday, found me near Presho with a cold front coming in strong. The morning started off nice at about 40 degrees, but the temps dropped to low 20s by mid afternoon, and the birds were not cooperating any better than they did the day before. Breez seems to be getting extremely frustrated with not being able to pin them down. She is trying very hard, and even adjusting her hunting patterns to try and short circuit them.
I was sitting next to a WIA about 2 pm with the windows down and binoculars up like I almost always do. Typically, for about half an hour before I venture in. I hear a few birds, and even see 3 roosters walk out of the tree line into the prairie. Im able to follow them thru the prairie about 300 yds and over a small hill, so I think they are going to lounge away the afternoon there. This is where I think I'm getting old. I drive away.. They win, I give up for today. I spend the rest of the day, driving around the countryside, enjoying the South Dakota prairies... birdless for the day... Not the first time ever in SD, but the first time ever without putting in 100%..
I dont know if deep down, Im grieving Ellies passing, because to be honest, I feel almost naked out there with only one (very, very good) hunting dog in the truck, or, Im just getting old. I am really looking forward to putting a couple more puppys in the arsenal, and hope that adds to my motivation.
Its possible, that I have taken the shine off of the hunting, because Ive been able to go too often... or, Im just getting old..
My very first grandaughter was born on Nov 9th.. I know there are alot of grandpas out there hunting, but its possible my priorities have changed.. or.. well, you know. and I'm alright with that.
Baby Madison: 11/10/14 9 hours old, and possibly on point!
