mstand
Member
We headed up North with the hopes of hunting the opening of a refuge we had run into. WE got up there Thursday and hunted half a da. I had plenty of opportunities to fill my limit, but my rushed shots never hit the targets. The guy we were with finally connected with a bird that I thought sure we would not find. It was one of those slow gliders that sail out of sight. We looked around and were not able to locate the bird so we continued on. about 10 minutes or so later my old dog came trotting by with the bird. We have since nicknamed her our "special teams" unit. We figured that to be at least a 100 yard run down.
Friday came and with the opening of the hotel door, so did the shock of what -25 degrees really feels like. The plan was to get up early and show up to the refuge before anyone. But as that cold air rush made the warmth of my hotel room bed call to me it was clear we would be late.. . No matter, there cant be anyone out there that is as nutz as we are...........could there be?
We arrive to the refuge and every parking lot is full of cars/trucks. This was around about 8:15am. No chance that we were going to fight over a spot to hunt. SO we decide to go to another spot.
A quick drive gets us there with boots on the ground at just after 8:30 am. First bird came down off of a wild flush. My hubby swings and connects with a nice young bird at 8:35am. Next bird came of off a Baja point and Max's attempt to steal the point causes the bird to flush. Jim makes quick work of this one too. In the bag to join his friend at 8:40am.
This is amazing.....and frustrating for me. But amazes me on how quickly things can change. The day before Jim was never in a position to get a shot. Now, a day later, he has had 2 back to back shot on roosters.
Max goes on point and Baja backs. Jim goes in and up rises and falls is 3rd and final rooster for the day..........time..........8:49am. Jim breaks open his gun and slings it over his shoulder happy as a clam.
My first didnt come until about 9:30. The birds were holding good in the thich yellow grass that i hate walking. Max hits a very very solid point and I walk up to flush. Rooster erupts and I make quick work of him. Missing streak broken and confidence gained.
Second bird came on a wild flush in cattails. Again, it was a quick reaction shot and the bird spun around in mid air before helicoptering down to the ground. Dog were on it pretty quickly and I had 2 in the bag.
Third came at a new location. We had already had 3 roosters get up in front of us. Time was getting short and my legs were starting to feel like rubber. I had been battling a cold for the last 3 days and my energy levels were on zero. We get around a small cattail marsh and Max is pointing.........tracking......pointing..........tracking until he finally hit it. I stepped in and the rooster erupted. I hit him clean and he fell in a patch of willows. Jim tells me that he thought it was a big bird....All I noticed as that it was a bird. Max brings the bird and the first thing I note is the weight of the bird. It was huge! I look at the spurs and they are 3/4 inch or better. Maybe y biggest bird yet. We are trying to decide if we should mount it or not. The tail feathers are only 20 inches.........I am thinking we will just eat him.
It was a great day for dog work. The birds held tight. There were to many points and misses and points on hens to mention in this post. But I will never forget the 3 way point I had, and the 2 roosters that got up and I missed. I never felt like I let the hounds down more then in that moment.
Once again it was a great time. It was the first time Jim and I have limited together. Killing wild flushes are ok, but it will always be those pointed and held birds that are etched in our memories. Good dog work, family and friends is what makes this all worth it.
Hope you like the pictures.
Abby and her 100 yard run down bird.
Just thought this was cool
Brrrrrr
Storm trooper
The group. Funny how you can never get anone to look at the camera.
The spur
Friday came and with the opening of the hotel door, so did the shock of what -25 degrees really feels like. The plan was to get up early and show up to the refuge before anyone. But as that cold air rush made the warmth of my hotel room bed call to me it was clear we would be late.. . No matter, there cant be anyone out there that is as nutz as we are...........could there be?
We arrive to the refuge and every parking lot is full of cars/trucks. This was around about 8:15am. No chance that we were going to fight over a spot to hunt. SO we decide to go to another spot.
A quick drive gets us there with boots on the ground at just after 8:30 am. First bird came down off of a wild flush. My hubby swings and connects with a nice young bird at 8:35am. Next bird came of off a Baja point and Max's attempt to steal the point causes the bird to flush. Jim makes quick work of this one too. In the bag to join his friend at 8:40am.
This is amazing.....and frustrating for me. But amazes me on how quickly things can change. The day before Jim was never in a position to get a shot. Now, a day later, he has had 2 back to back shot on roosters.
Max goes on point and Baja backs. Jim goes in and up rises and falls is 3rd and final rooster for the day..........time..........8:49am. Jim breaks open his gun and slings it over his shoulder happy as a clam.
My first didnt come until about 9:30. The birds were holding good in the thich yellow grass that i hate walking. Max hits a very very solid point and I walk up to flush. Rooster erupts and I make quick work of him. Missing streak broken and confidence gained.
Second bird came on a wild flush in cattails. Again, it was a quick reaction shot and the bird spun around in mid air before helicoptering down to the ground. Dog were on it pretty quickly and I had 2 in the bag.
Third came at a new location. We had already had 3 roosters get up in front of us. Time was getting short and my legs were starting to feel like rubber. I had been battling a cold for the last 3 days and my energy levels were on zero. We get around a small cattail marsh and Max is pointing.........tracking......pointing..........tracking until he finally hit it. I stepped in and the rooster erupted. I hit him clean and he fell in a patch of willows. Jim tells me that he thought it was a big bird....All I noticed as that it was a bird. Max brings the bird and the first thing I note is the weight of the bird. It was huge! I look at the spurs and they are 3/4 inch or better. Maybe y biggest bird yet. We are trying to decide if we should mount it or not. The tail feathers are only 20 inches.........I am thinking we will just eat him.
It was a great day for dog work. The birds held tight. There were to many points and misses and points on hens to mention in this post. But I will never forget the 3 way point I had, and the 2 roosters that got up and I missed. I never felt like I let the hounds down more then in that moment.
Once again it was a great time. It was the first time Jim and I have limited together. Killing wild flushes are ok, but it will always be those pointed and held birds that are etched in our memories. Good dog work, family and friends is what makes this all worth it.
Hope you like the pictures.
Abby and her 100 yard run down bird.
Just thought this was cool
Brrrrrr
Storm trooper
The group. Funny how you can never get anone to look at the camera.
The spur
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