Season wrap up

B

benelli-banger

Well-known member
Think it’s over…good season overall. Hosted 19 different hunters, many of whom hunted more than once. No dog fights, no hunter fights. Lots of good grub. A few beers and cocktails consumed. Lots of visiting with several local farmers and their families. Had snow for awhile in late November into December, wasn’t a lot, but some drifts where you’d expect it. Bird #’s excellent, as good as I’ve seen in 15+ years. My groups took over 400 birds, 90-95% have been this years birds…unreal hatch! Had our share of lost birds, thankfully not an egregious #, but any are too many. No gun malfunctions, did have one “benelli click”. Yesterday my gun cycled in slow motion a few times, but no big deal. Started the season with #5 lead, ended with #4 lead, will switch to 4’s sooner next season, was reminded of my affinity for #4’s…a decade ago I shot up about 6 boxes of 16 gauge #4’s out of a variety of doubles I own…very effective! No gun safety issues or sketchy shots taken…that’s a big deal. Travel back and forth has been smooth…I stop and nap 5-10 minutes when needed. No snow on ground now, 1/25/26, hope weather cooperates and carryover is healthy and strong. Hope we all stay healthy and strong! Oh, the trusty 28’s took 10 roosters this year, 5 last year…100% recovery. Will carry them more this year…liked the M/M choke combo in my red label 28 gauge. Will pattern that and see what I think. Could see LM/M or LM/IM….have to have Briley custom make at $100 each… maybe factory M/M are sufficient. Packing up now to head home…safe travels, safe hunting to you all!!!
 
Great year! I had similar results, glad your health held up. I will make it out a few more times year and start to count the days until next year. A favorable winter, nesting season would be epic with the number of hens out there. Stay safe and thanks for all the write ups and entertainment factors in them.
 
Big highlight was meeting Matt D and his friend Dan a few weeks ago, as well as his other buddy Doc a few months ago. Also, no dog injuries…very lucky.! Lots if birds along the road today!!
 
Best visual memory: last sharpy hunt in ND, at truck, looking West where I’d just walked for 80-90 minutes, killed 2, contacted 80+, probably more. Abundant rains late summer and fall had the hills green as a golf course in June…spectacular sunset spilling oranges and pinks and reds on the landscape…full section of school land…pasture that had been grazed earlier in the summer…hope my mind allows for that image years, decades from now. Amazing experience, amazing feeling!!!!!!
 
benelli-banger said:
Best visual memory: last sharpy hunt in ND, at truck, looking West where I’d just walked for 80-90 minutes, killed 2, contacted 80+, probably more. Abundant rains late summer and fall had the hills green as a golf course in June…spectacular sunset spilling oranges and pinks and reds on the landscape…full section of school land…pasture that had been grazed earlier in the summer…hope my mind allows for that image years, decades from now. Amazing experience, amazing feeling!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Best visual was a sunset on an endless fresh cut wheat field. Best audible was geese honking, mallards quacking, coyotes yipping and elk bugling all at the same time early morning.
 
benelli-banger said:
SD vet prescribed gabapentin to go with rimadyl for my old girl…hope it helps!!!!
Click to expand...
My old girl (lab) was prescribed those two things several years ago. She was allergic to the rimadyl and it started to shut her liver down. Vet said a 10,000 to 1 chance dogs are allergic. So my vet said try CBD oil you will know if it works in a few days. It really helps or doesn’t work at all. If it doesn’t quit giving it. For my old girl’s arthritis it was the best by far and she was on a lot of meds. Might want to ask your vet about it.
 
Youngest of my 3 kids finished 4th inpatient alcohol rehab last year, did sober house after…seems ok…buried both parents recently, had been in facilities for past several years, very taxing. Will take next challenge when it comes. First grandkid due in July. Life grinds on…
 
10th anniversary of my wife doing alcohol rehab…then relapsing right away and falling down stairs, breaking neck in 3 places…chronic alcoholic over 10 years…shit you can’t believe. Didn’t hunt much 2016 after 11/1. Endured a lot….as have others…will be out in paradise following my dogs til I can’t. Bird hunting probably saved my life…more than once…🙏
 
benelli-banger said:
Big highlight was meeting Matt D and his friend Dan a few weeks ago, as well as his other buddy Doc a few months ago. Also, no dog injuries…very lucky.! Lots if birds along the road today!!
Click to expand...
Wow. I thought you had a way more exciting life then myself ranking as a highlight. 😂. We enjoyed the time and expect we will be spending a day or two hunting there in the future, assuming we get an invite. 😎

benelli-banger said:
Northern lights 11/10 and 11/11 were spectacular!!!
Click to expand...
Agree they were awesome. So glad we happened to be out here for them!
 
Matt D said:
Wow. I thought you had a way more exciting life then myself ranking as a highlight. 😂. We enjoyed the time and expect we will be spending a day or two hunting there in the future, assuming we get an invite. 😎


Agree they were awesome. So glad we happened to be out here for them!
Click to expand...
Invite extended! Thx for your tips on shell bargains!!! 🥳
 
benelli-banger said:
Life grinds on…
Click to expand...
I think that really sums it up. I tend to reflect on life and hunts while on long driving trips. In any demographic the range of experiences is so vast it is amazing. Then when you stop and think that chasing pheasants is what brings us all to a common place like this it is pretty phenomenal. Know BB didn’t post this to get this reply but sure sounds like this last year has been full of challenges for him. Hopefully the biggest event for you in the next year is the birth of your first grandchild and you eventually get to introduce them to upland hunting!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top