When I left this morning, the N wind was blowing like crazy. I'd followed the weather in the area I planned to hunt, and for a couple weeks they hadn't had any precipitation. I nearly turned around as I was driving down I-70, tired of getting beaten by the wind, and beginning to expect dismal hunting conditions.
Fortunately, there was a dash of old sleet left on the ground when arrived. No other hunters in sight, and a light (10mph) breeze. Sure glad I didn't turn around!
Due to the shape of the place, we had to walk with the North wind at our backs to get to the south side of the property. We get to the middle of a quarter section of CRP and Tate (GSP) goes on point at 70-80 yards. I wasn't 2 steps toward him when the rooster busted and took to the wind. About 5 minutes of walking later and he's on point at just over 100 yards. I got at least 25 quick steps in before that rooster busted.
Finally we reached the S end and starting working into the wind. Duke (GWP) is a closer ranging dog. He doesn't find as many birds as Tate, but when he does find 'em, they're money shots. He locked up in a low spot and a hen flushed with the wave of my foot. Another 100+yards ahead there's another low spot. Duke locks up tight again. I set my feet and a rooster erupts, from left to right with the early morning sun at our backs. It seemed like I had a whole minute to shoulder my gun and swing through my target. He fell to silence-breaking bark of the 12ga. Tate retrieved him for me and we headed back toward the truck, having found what we set out to.
The dogs weren't trailing the birds at all that I saw. They only found the ones that were right in front of 'em. We had a 2 or 3 solid points that produced no flush. The dogs didn't appear to be tracking anything when they released. We need some fresh precipitation.
Yes, I made a 4hr round-trip to hunt for 3hrs. Yes, I only got one bird. Yes, it was worth it
be happy its 22 hours for me ....one way
When I left this morning, the N wind was blowing like crazy. I'd followed the weather in the area I planned to hunt, and for a couple weeks they hadn't had any precipitation. I nearly turned around as I was driving down I-70, tired of getting beaten by the wind, and beginning to expect dismal hunting conditions.
Fortunately, there was a dash of old sleet left on the ground when arrived. No other hunters in sight, and a light (10mph) breeze. Sure glad I didn't turn around!
Due to the shape of the place, we had to walk with the North wind at our backs to get to the south side of the property. We get to the middle of a quarter section of CRP and Tate (GSP) goes on point at 70-80 yards. I wasn't 2 steps toward him when the rooster busted and took to the wind. About 5 minutes of walking later and he's on point at just over 100 yards. I got at least 25 quick steps in before that rooster busted.
Finally we reached the S end and starting working into the wind. Duke (GWP) is a closer ranging dog. He doesn't find as many birds as Tate, but when he does find 'em, they're money shots. He locked up in a low spot and a hen flushed with the wave of my foot. Another 100+yards ahead there's another low spot. Duke locks up tight again. I set my feet and a rooster erupts, from left to right with the early morning sun at our backs. It seemed like I had a whole minute to shoulder my gun and swing through my target. He fell to silence-breaking bark of the 12ga. Tate retrieved him for me and we headed back toward the truck, having found what we set out to.
The dogs weren't trailing the birds at all that I saw. They only found the ones that were right in front of 'em. We had a 2 or 3 solid points that produced no flush. The dogs didn't appear to be tracking anything when they released. We need some fresh precipitation.
Yes, I made a 4hr round-trip to hunt for 3hrs. Yes, I only got one bird. Yes, it was worth it
When I left this morning, the N wind was blowing like crazy. I'd followed the weather in the area I planned to hunt, and for a couple weeks they hadn't had any precipitation. I nearly turned around as I was driving down I-70, tired of getting beaten by the wind, and beginning to expect dismal hunting conditions.
Fortunately, there was a dash of old sleet left on the ground when arrived. No other hunters in sight, and a light (10mph) breeze. Sure glad I didn't turn around!
Due to the shape of the place, we had to walk with the North wind at our backs to get to the south side of the property. We get to the middle of a quarter section of CRP and Tate (GSP) goes on point at 70-80 yards. I wasn't 2 steps toward him when the rooster busted and took to the wind. About 5 minutes of walking later and he's on point at just over 100 yards. I got at least 25 quick steps in before that rooster busted.
Finally we reached the S end and starting working into the wind. Duke (GWP) is a closer ranging dog. He doesn't find as many birds as Tate, but when he does find 'em, they're money shots. He locked up in a low spot and a hen flushed with the wave of my foot. Another 100+yards ahead there's another low spot. Duke locks up tight again. I set my feet and a rooster erupts, from left to right with the early morning sun at our backs. It seemed like I had a whole minute to shoulder my gun and swing through my target. He fell to silence-breaking bark of the 12ga. Tate retrieved him for me and we headed back toward the truck, having found what we set out to.
The dogs weren't trailing the birds at all that I saw. They only found the ones that were right in front of 'em. We had a 2 or 3 solid points that produced no flush. The dogs didn't appear to be tracking anything when they released. We need some fresh precipitation.
Yes, I made a 4hr round-trip to hunt for 3hrs. Yes, I only got one bird. Yes, it was worth it
I was on the smartphone driving by myself up to SD. It sure passed the time screwing with that guy. I did get honked at a couple times while on the highway weaving a little