Odd Encounters...

[BritChaser]

A first and only for me: Five of us were taking a line through a half section of CRP walk-in when two pickups pulled up on the road beside us. Three strangers got out and got into our line, just like that. Two others drove to the end and blocked. No conversation. I was sort of guiding so I signaled my party to move over to make room for the joiners. When I am bird hunting I am in such a good mood I am almost unannoyable. We had over a half mile to go so I had some time to think about the situation. 1. In a big CRP field, more hunters is better. 2. It was walk-in, not private. 3. The two blockers and another dog improved the hunt. 4. They were true hunters: they were silent, safe, and kept in line. At the end we grouped up and chatted. The talker was a nice guy from KC. All good vibes. In following seasons I saw the talker several times at the local PF banquet enjoying himself.

 

[birddude]

Many years ago, I heard a shot and looked up to see the neighbor boys walking down the fencerow that divides our place from theirs. As I watched I saw a quail get up and they shot and missed it. I let my shorthair out and walked across the field to them. Old Bob was a veteran that seldom made a mistake. Long story short they had a blast and wound up with a couple birds. The next weekend while I was at work the boys rolled up and ask my wife if they could borrow my dog!!
Ran into an acquaintance at a put and take hunt. He had always bragged on his dogs, but I had never hunted with him. He had his son in law and about a 9-year-old grandson. I walked with them until my dog pointed a bird up ahead. I said something like take the boy up and let him shoot. They walked up and were talking and looking for the bird on the ground. Then one said there he is get him. The boy shot it about two feet in front of my dog. I haven't spoken to him since.
Another time I ran into a guy about my age. Seemed like a nice guy. He had been west several times mostly by himself. He mentioned we should team up for a trip. I wasn't about to accept until I got to know him better. So, we made plans to meet and do a put and take hunt. He never showed up, so I sent him a text. He gave me a lame excuse, but I said I would give him a call for another time. A while later I called and left a message. No response. Sent him a text. No response. I told my wife that he had snubbed me and she said maybe he ran a background check.