Mornings With Molly

Love Creek English Setter's MVP 2011
Most Valuable Pointer
Molly

                                                         This is a story about one of a series of solo runs I did in the season of 2011 with Molly. Having had a serious injury to her left eye in the field which she subsequently lost I ran her by herself for a period of time giving her time to adjust to the change. This dog has more desire, drive and stamina  than any dog I've ever had and she proved it time and again throughout the 2011 season even with her now unfortunate handicap. These performances during the 2011 season earned her the Love Creek English Setter's MVP award. Most Valuable Pointer!
                                                         It had been 14 days since Molly's operation to remove her left eye. The eye lid now was sewn shut covering where her eye had been. I  had made every effort to do what could be done for her making an emergency trip to a specialist in Minneapolis but the diagnosis was that the eye could not be saved and had to come out. I felt most confident having the surgery done by my Vet in Madison Wisconsin so I called from Minneapolis and made the arrangements for the surgery which had to be done asap.
We stayed at my sister's with Mick and Beau for a week following the surgery to allow Molly to recover. It was the last week of September and we'd been hunting Sharptail for 3 weeks at that point. As I spent a few moments talking with my Vet he recounted several accidents in the field he was familiar with over the year's that came to mind and said " Arlan I can tell you this that if you hunt long enough something eventually will happen either to you or one of your dog's. That's just the way it is." That's no consolation but it made me feel better knowing I wasn't alone. And later on in the season in fact did experience having to rescue Mick after he fell through thin ice in a slough and couldn't get out causing me to have to wade in up to my waist to pull him out!
                                                        So the morning to remove the stitches finally came during the first week of resident Pheasant season. My Vet Morrie Link had assured me that Molly would adjust and hunt as she had with maybe a little difficulty marking birds from her blind side. This would be the test. I carefully removed the stitches myself at 7:15 and everything looked as though it healed fine so the plan was to run Molly by herself the first week to allow her to adjust in the field and observe how she did.
                                                        I chose an area with mostly open cover to allow her to ease into the routine again. We arrived just after 8:00 a.m and I turned Molly out having left Mick and Beau at home. Molly was eager to get going having had the cone on again for the last two weeks and it was a nice sunny morning with little to no wind. The plan was to walk through a little CRP then around the edge of a wheat field and come back through some short alfalfa with sloughs interspersed throughout. I hadn't taken 10 steps and she was working a bird casting about in circles in the CRP! I was amazed as she got right to work. I did notice her looking for me a couple of times at first but she was quick to adjust and kept moving. This bird was moving about and she stayed with it working around a rise in the grass. I was prepared for a flush at anytime of course and kept close to her as she worked. Finally she came to point right on top of the knoll 100 feet from the Jeep behind us! Not 10 minutes had passed. I moved slowly ahead and past her flushing a nice Rooster back to the west which fell with one shot from my 16 gauge SxS. I was so happy for her as she recovered the down bird. Glad to have her back on the team!
                                                       It was around 8:15 when we headed back east along the wheat stubble and Molly worked the edge along the grass. Halfway down the fence line she locked up on point again standing in the wheat stubble pointing into the grass. I walked ahead and two Hens flushed. She was having fun! We then headed across the alfalfa towards the first slough. Molly got birdy around the south side and was tracking a bird along the cattails. Suddenly she stopped. Going on point right on the edge 30 yards ahead of me. I approached cautiously and kicked the grass ahead of her. Another Rooster burst from the cover and again fell with one shot from my 16 gauge SxS. It was a little after 8:30 and Molly had me on two Rooster's already on her first morning back. Incredible!
                                                        We worked the short alfalfa back to the next slough and Molly came around the north side and got birdy in the alfalfa which was a little higher with some open patches here and there. She was tracking moving birds here and came on point in the open right where the field had a little dip in it creating a place for birds to hide I thought. I was right! I walked ahead as she held still being about 50 yards behind her and came within 20 feet of her when two Roosters took flight simultaneously in a beautiful flush. I took the bird to my right and again it fell with one shot from my SxS. I had to let the second bird go of course because that was our third bird. Molly retrieved the prize and as I looked at my watch it was 8:50 a.m. What a run for her first morning out in two weeks. She may have a handicap but so far I hadn't figured out what it was!
                                                       We made our way back to the Jeep as I thought about how fragile our lives can be with the unexpected changing our course at anytime. So this run with Molly was a second chance.  Being lucky to still be out here together doing what we both love.

Deja Vu

                                                             It was the first week of December 2011 and Molly and I had gone on a solo run under cloudy skies and a light fog with temperatures in the mid teens when my boots hit the ground. We were 45 miles south on this day hunting an area with cover as good as it gets. Some open pasture with short grass along with a little CRP,sloughs, and tree rows between crop fields of sunflower stubble and corn. But it's big and again without a dog that can cover ground good luck!
                                                             After an hour and a half I looked at my Garmin GPS Tracker and I had walked 3.5 miles and Molly had gone 6 as we made a loop through this large area. Molly had pointed a 5 bird group just a hundred yards into the run so we had one Rooster in the game bag as we turned back south towards the Jeep. As we made our way across this short grass pasture into the wind Molly picked up scent once again and followed it all the way into the next pasture. She had already been tracking this scent for a few hundred yards when she crossed the fence back near our starting point when this feeling of deja vu came over me. Two weeks earlier the same situation had occurred while hunting with my son Carson in the exact same spot. At the end of that run Molly had done the exact same thing picking up scent a couple of hundred yards north and crossing over into the same pasture first pointing a hen and then picking up another bird and coming to point in very sparse cover which had turned out to be a Rooster which I had shot. It had been an incredible piece of bird work as she pinned these birds down in very sparse cover without bumping them.
                                                              However on this day I was played out from following her numerous times as she tried to pin down birds only to have them run ahead and flush wild out of range. But that feeling of deja vu wouldn't let go as I crossed into the pasture not yet believing the same experience could repeat itself. It didn't take long for her to come to point once she tracked the bird into the next pasture. As I cautiously walked forward I thought regardless of whether it was a Hen or Rooster it had been a superb show once again. I was able to walk in front of her and a Hen flushed twenty feet ahead! I took a minute to congratulate Molly but she wasn't done yet as she made a big cast around the pasture and started working back towards me from a couple hundred yards away. The zig zag route she was on indicated to me she was working a moving bird which in this short open cover is difficult to culminate in a point with the bird agreeing to hold from flushing until I can get there!
                                                              Much to my surprise on this day Molly suddenly stopped short focused intently on a small clump of grass barely noticeable in the open cover. I had about 75 yards to cover to get within range. So again for the countless time this day I did another dash or "surge" as my friend Dennis would call it attempting to close the gap between us and get within range before this bird decided to take flight! As I approached I couldn't help but notice this looked and felt like the same spot this happened 2 weeks earlier. I got within 20 feet or so breathing heavily and slowly walked another few steps when a mature Rooster with tail feathers bending in the wind took flight to the south and fell on the second shot. The bird came down hard in the open pasture but still had some fight left but Molly quickly secured the bird and walked in a circle with her prize before approaching me with the bird letting me know who the responsible party really was!

                                                              We took a few minutes to absorb this great finish to Molly's run and reflect on what a coincidence we had just experienced. I am always thrilled by watching the Setter's hold birds on point in the open cover as it's such a beautiful sight to behold. Made even more thrilling then by being able to shoot a bird for them. As we then turned to walk the short distance to the Jeep we listened to the jealous howling from Mick and Beau who undoubtedly had heard the shots and were now awaiting there own solo run.

Dad's Double Barrel

The Schell Butte run December 2011 with Dad's Double Barrel

                                               
   As a kid I couldn't wait for the day I got to use Dad's gun the reason being it had two shots and mine just had one! I was convinced this was why he shot more birds than I did with my single shot 410. But the mantra was "You learn how to shoot by making the first shot count!". I carried that pea shooter for two year's dreaming of the day I could carry his gun. Finally at age 14 I was able to hunt on my own. Dad was off the hook not having to chaperon me every time I wanted to go after school when he had already put in a hard day's work on the job. I made countless memories carrying that gun while walking behind my bird dog a Brittany Spaniel named Ginger. A few year's before Dad passed away he gave me that gun some 40 year's later. It meant a lot to me and I was grateful to have it. It was a Stevens pre 1960 model 20 gauge SxS probably made in the early 40's. A common working man's gun nothing fancy except it had a single non selective trigger very rare on these guns and a double bead on the rib. Dad was a Grouse hunter coming from the U.P. of Michigan so the gun had seen it's share of briars and brushy cover over the year's but he had always kept it spotless and well oiled. I had it re-blued and the case coloring redone as well as a new stock made to my specifications. The gun was also choked Modified and full and I had it opened up to skeet and improved modified. It turned out beautiful. I shoot 4 different guns during the season in 12,16 and 20 gauge. All SxS's. Today I carried Dad's gun as the season is just about at an end and I wanted to reminisce a little as I walked behind the Setter's remembering what it was like to first carry this gun.
                                                      It was mid December 2011. Bird numbers year to year were down in our area by more than 50% due to three very tough winters and this year's wet hatching season. This was bad news for the hunter's who traveled and hunted in groups as there just was not the numbers for these types of hunter's to be successful. There was a lot of complaining in the local coffee shop's and bars about bird numbers on a daily basis. The majority of these hunter's use close working flushing dog's primarily Lab's and like I said hunt in groups. But this was a year where the number's were down significantly and in order to find birds you had to really cover some ground in all types of cover. This was not the normal strategy for most of these hunter's so the reports from the field were dismal at best. I would add also that the average age of most of the hunter's out there spending a week or two bird hunting was probably around 50 and getting older every year. So most of these guys were used to the easy day's when CRP acre's were at all time high's and bird numbers were much higher as well.
                                                      The Setter's and I started our scouting in August as soon as the young birds were able to fly well enough to easily escape when flushed. I have a number of area's I use to check the population's of both Pheasant and Grouse. So when our scouting indicated significantly lower number's I knew our strategy was going to have to be to cover a lot more ground and cover I normally may have not hunted before. I made sure I had options for new ground as well traveling outside my normal range and avoiding the area's I knew got a lot of pressure from the gang hunter's or "shit birds" as I call them. This strategy had worked very well all season but we really covered some ground every time we went out. It was so much fun though as this was really hunting as I like it. The Setter's were perfect for this mission of finding what I would call a needle in a hay stack on many days searching to find where the birds were at. Conditions that frustrated most hunter's were great for us as I had the type of crew in big running pointing dog's to find what ever birds were about in a given area. And that we did all season long! Day after day! The Setter's were in great shape and I had lost more weight this season due to how much ground we had to cover. So by Mid December I was thinking of what favorite runs I'd like to make before we closed the book on the season and headed for ski country.
                                                      I had decided to make a run in Schell Butte Township on this day. It's a difficult run to begin with and in my scouting had also indicated very low numbers of birds. As a result I hadn't hunted this area except for the first two weeks of Sharptail season making a run a mile south. This is a beautiful place to end the day as the view of the rolling hills to the west as the sun sets is breath taking. So knowing this would be the last time we'd make this run till next year I decided to carry Dad's 20 gauge SxS to make it special.
                                                     My plan was to run all three Setter's to the west through corn stubble bringing them back to the east eventually pushing any feeding birds into a waterway and valley bordered by wheat stubble to the north. It was mid afternoon with overcast skies and just enough snow to track birds as we came through a section of corn stubble. There were lots of fresh tracks as we started out with the Setter's working close to the fence line to the west. I was hoping for a point as we moved ahead but the birds just ran out into the field from what I could see. There was just enough snow to make it slippery walking as we covered the field coming back to the east without a point but the Setter's were working and I could tell we had birds moving the whole time. I had shot a Rooster over Beau before lunch and with Mick played out somewhat by covering the corn stubble I decided to make the run through the waterway with Molly. So upon coming back to the Jeep I watered all the pup's putting up Mick and Beau much to their dismay and headed east with Molly and Dad's 20 gauge SxS.
                                                      Molly and I crossed the fence and headed east down through this pastured waterway of short grass and a winding waterway bordered with some bushes and wheat stubble to the north uphill. We had gone a third of a mile with Molly working the grass bordering the waterway and casting about both sides when she began tracking across the open towards the wheat stubble. There were some bushes on the edge and she eased up towards them interested but no birds. I suspected we had maybe moved a bird across here and into the wheat. That was the strategy in covering the corn stubble towards this area. The birds in this area had so much cover making it hard with low numbers to be really successful here but again that's why we covered so much ground trying to move birds to obvious cover hoping to eventually pin down whatever birds were there. I picked up my pace closing the distance between Molly and myself as she continued to search along the edge of this cover.
                                                       75 yards ahead was a small area on the edge of the wheat stubble with some cattails in a depression of the field. This was 30 feet wide and about a hundred feet long running north to south. Molly got more excited as we approached and soon came on point on the east side of this cover. She was rigid looking into the cattails as I slowly moved by her to the west. Nothing. But she remained there so I walked about looking at her sight line and nothing. I released her and let her work about staying close to her as she worked the perimeter expecting a flush at any time. But nothing again. I then walked right down through this area with her working about obviously on a bird but there was just nothing there. Just when I was standing on the outside in the wheat stubble I noticed her on point in the exact same area she pointed to begin with. I thought OK this must be it and slowly approached her. I walked ahead ready for the flush when suddenly there came a Rooster bursting out straight away to the east across the open wheat stubble. I shouldered Dad's 20 gauge and fired bringing the Rooster down for Molly 30 feet away! We walked over to the bird and I congratulated Molly on a job well done as we recovered our prize. I looked at Dad's 20 gauge and smiled to myself for a moment having recreated a little of the magic I experienced as a kid with that gun so many year's before.
                                                     We still had plenty of time left so we continued east along the edge of the wheat stubble and Molly worked down to the waterway and cast about coming back south tracking up to the bushes bordering the wheat. She was into birds again and I lost sight of her for a few seconds as she went around the front of the bushes. When I didn't see her from the high side I was standing on I made the decision to follow her around front. Moving very cautiously I stepped out onto the frozen waterway so as to not make any noise. After moving ahead 30 yards I spotted her on point along the edge of the brush! I moved up as far as I could on the frozen waterway to not spook the birds then came behind Molly and moved into position to flush. I moved ahead of her slightly and the Rooster bolted upward fighting to get above the brush. It rose straight up before turning into the wind and I fired bringing it down on the frozen waterway. A beautiful shot! Molly was quickly to the bird and picked it up completing her task. What a great moment! We sat down on the edge of the bank and took a moment to catch our breath thankful for one last run with Dad's 20 gauge. Then it dawned on me as I sat there with Molly,the bird on the ground between us, I never did fire that second barrel!

The way we were December 2011. We covered a lot
of ground this season but always found birds.

No Soup For Me!

                                                     One of the most important institutions in these prairie towns we traveled through is the local Cafe. Every community has one and it's the heart beat of the town usually. My hunting partner Tom and I had been in some good ones and have them marked on the map pages of the states we've gone through. These two tales are experiences Tom had with his friends Willie and Joann in the Cafe in the little town they live in.
                                                      The first one finds Tom having lunch with his new friend Willie. He had rescued Tom and his friend Dennis a few weeks earlier when they got stranded out on a section line road 6 miles from town after putting a hole in the transmission cover of Dennis's new truck while looking for a piece of property. Tom had returned to North Dakota to follow up on his interest in the property and had looked up Willie as he had a few questions about the area he thought Willie being a long time resident and farmer may be able to answer. Willie suggested they meet at the local Cafe for lunch. Good enough Tom said. Upon entering the little cafe which seated about 30 people in close proximity he found Willie and joined him at his table. They sat and talked for a while as they watched the only waitress take order's, run the cash register, and help in the kitchen as well. This was the lunch rush. This hard working Norwegian lady was getting it done as she made her rounds obviously knowing everyone by name and efficiently delivering food and making small talk as she went along. A real multi tasker! Tom couldn't help but notice her take charge style as she ran the little dining room by herself. The waitress finally came to their table and standing over Willie said " OK what do you want! Tom couldn't help notice her tone seemed a little out of line. Willie say's "What kinda soup do ya have today?" She say's rather abruptly barking out" It's potato with wiener's" Willie's reply was "I hate that" She say's " Just shut up! It's all we've got and if you don't like it just go home and eat!" So Willie order's as he sits there with his tail between his leg's and now she's looking at Tom with a somewhat mean and determined look and all he can think of saying is I'll just have what he's having thinking that'd be the safest thing to do! After she leaves Tom say's I don't know about you but I'd hate to catch that woman on a bad day! Willie laughs and say's " Yeah I know. That's my wife! And that's the story of how Tom met Willie's wife Joann. We all went on to become good friends over the years and from time to time retell the story laughing as we go.
                                                       The second story involving the same Cafe centers around a fund raiser that the Cafe had to help with operating expenses. It's not unusual for many of these businesses to be community owned or funded in part by contributions and fund raising to keep them open. They're an important part of the communities and due to the lack of volume are very hard to keep profitable which most are not. This particular fund drive was a soup fundraiser. Volunteers brought a variety of German style soups called Knoephla and for a donation of 5 dollars people could have their choice of several variations on the recipe. Now this soup is basically heavy cream, butter and a little whole milk with a home made miniature dumpling. Now when I first moved here I was taken back by the use of heavy cream and butter in all the cooking. Wow! Is what I said as I watched this soup being made. Talk about rich! Man I didn't dare even eat a small amount of it. You could have a heart attack just looking at it I thought! Well anyway Tom was in town this week and upon Willie and Joann's suggestion joined them at the Cafe fundraiser. Five buck's for an "all you can eat soup buffet" sounded good to him! So he joins in with the crowd and not having had Knoephla soup before found it delicious! He's making his way through the different slow cooker crocks trying a bowl of each recipe. This stuff is great he thought! Then after a while he noticed he was starting to sweat and had a funny feeling like his gut was just expanding and something was growing inside him. Willie noticed he was just standing there looking a little pale and asked if he was all right. Tom said he had just had a "few" bowls of soup that's all but he felt like he needed some fresh air! Willie said " uh oh that stuff is rich you really gotta watch how much you eat as he laughed! Those dumplings will make you explode just like eating cabbage! Tom say's "yeah well thanks for tellin me now! I've gotta get outside! as he was now sweating profusely and felt like he was going to pass out. Willie followed him outside where Tom sat down on the bench in front of the cafe, Willie asked if wanted a ride home and Tom said no I just need to sit here for a while. That ended up being about 45 minutes before he felt like he could make the 2 block walk back to where he was staying. That's the story of what an "all you can eat buffet" of heavy cream,butter and dumplings can do to you! German style!
                                                        Since then I've been around these German's enough to know the secret's to the use of heavy cream and butter in a lot of the dishes they love as well as the preference for meat well done,deep fried food, and sausage made very lean. I'm on board with the sausage that's about it! No soup for me!

Mick's Rebuttal To One More Rooster

                                                    Hey everybody Mick here! I just wanted to say a few things about the hunt. First of all speaking for Molly, Beau and myself it was a great day. Winds were a tad bit high which always affects the birds but otherwise conditions were good. We did between us cover a lot of ground and we think the number of birds pointed may have been understated. As for the shooting. Well what can I say? Except that sometimes it just doesn't work out very well at all! If you ever heard the term "the wheels fell off" that'd be what happened! As Molly will tell you the reason she's gotten so good on bird recovery is practice! Lot's of runner's it seems at times. Beau said he was sure we'd have to go to Bismarck today to get more shells considering the shots he heard fired while waiting in the Jeep. And that big group he pointed he said he had no clue what was going on behind him but everything kept flying! Now this thing about me spending to much time on the Hen's. Number 1 they both smell the same to me! Number 2 my job is to find birds and I'm good at it! Number 3 Isn't persistence what got the team the final Rooster of the day? ( Which actually could have been the 33rd rooster we pointed that day!) But now we all like to win so let's stay positive out there! It's already noon around here and nobody's moving very fast today. R just had breakfast and we're all watching with one eye open to see if he pick's up a gun as we drift in and out of dreaming about all those bird's. Hope you enjoyed the story we'll be making more for sure!

Just One More Rooster

                                                        It was November 2010 and the last several days had seen the remaining  crops being harvested in most area's leaving birds moving to nearby slough's, CRP fields and tree rows. This has been a great period as the hunting pressure had changed dramatically with the out of state hunter's leaving and the local hunter's focusing on Deer hunting just when large numbers of birds were moved out of the remaining crop fields.
                                                        Wednesday was a wet day with light rain and some snow so we took it as an errand day and went to Bismarck for supplies. So yesterday we headed out early to check on some area's I was hoping would have corn harvested. I came upon a large CRP field which had the surrounding corn and sunflowers harvested recently. With snow now covering the grass it was my bet that the birds had not yet moved out into the adjacent fields to feed as we had arrived right at sun up. I had all three Setter's on board and planned to run them individually as I expected to see a lot of birds which would make multiple dog's difficult to manage.
                                                         Molly was my choice to run first and when she hit the ground I could tell she was pumped up. I don't know if it was the temperature or the light snow but she was off like a rocket! Since the grass was a little snow covered she couldn't go through it readily but had to kind of push through it and jump over it. I noticed several Sharptail just flying around the area with some landing in tree lines as well as some Pheasants cruising over the field like big bombers then settling in the grass. This area was alive with birds! Two Sharptail in the tree line we were working along  flushed towards me and would be my first misses of the day. Molly then worked several birds pointing a couple Hen's I identified the rest may have been Rooster's but in the flat early morning light it's hard to tell what they were so we let them fly on. We worked the open area's first as I was afraid that the birds may have chosen to congregate in the tree rows due to the previous day's weather forcing them into the heavy cover. This is a problem because regardless of whether the birds hold for a point or not which side of the brush do you stand on? Since the birds know which way you're coming from most of the time it will be on the wrong side. Then once one of them chooses an escape route the rest will follow! To quote my friend Bernie " We're just hopin to find a bird that makes a mistake."
                                                          Molly started working some heavy cover a few hundred yards from the next tree line and when I started to see paths made by Pheasants in the fresh snow I knew we had a group of birds moving ahead. Molly was playing a game of cat and mouse with a moving bird with me coming to flush and the bird moving out ahead then finally we got the Hen to flush which triggered the rest of this group ahead to flush wild and head for the damn tree line. The good news was that there were at least a half a dozen Rooster's in this bunch. So we worked towards the tree line and started working it south and  of course Molly pointed several times with birds flying out the opposite side from where I was at untouched! Then we finally got a point on the edge of the CRP with the bird pinned between Molly and myself. I was on the tree line side with Molly on the edge of the CRP. I expected I could flush this bird her way into the open.  I chose my steps carefully so I'd have a clear shooting lane and flushed the bird. A Rooster! It exploded from the edge and straight out into the CRP falling with a report from my Gold label. The first bird of the day. Molly was having a great time as we had really been into birds from the start of this run.
                                                            The next few hundred yards of this run was a lesson in late season hunting with the birds having a tremendous advantage. Safety in numbers. Follow the leader. If one fly's we all fly! At a break in the field I decided to head east to see if we could find some birds not bunched up and more likely to hold. Molly was birdy within a couple hundred yards and a Hen flushed wild up ahead. Then she started tracking a bird on the edge and worked into the CRP to the south and I didn't follow but waited to see if we'd get a point as I was tiring a little trudging through the snow covered grass. Molly couldn't get the bird corralled and the Rooster took flight. So much for standing around watching! Then another 100 yards ahead we had a point right along the tree line with a Hen flushing and then a delayed flush by a beautiful Rooster. I fired as the bird exited the north side of the tree line and we had our second bird of the day! I worked Molly around to the field line and she worked more Hen's doing a fantastic job. We saw a group of Sharptail flush from the edge of the sunflower stubble with another single take flight from the trees we had just passed, I noticed a few vehicles with Deer hunters driving around this section and was a little nervous as it's common for them to shoot from vehicles at moving Deer out here so I headed for the Jeep with plans of moving out of this area. Molly worked one more Rooster as we came along the field edge but it didn't sit still for her and flushed wild as we neared the Jeep. The birds had been difficult but Molly had worked her butt off trying her best to pin them down. Great job!
                                                           We headed east a few miles to an open area we passed on our way where I had seen a couple of birds sitting by a slough a hundred yards or so into the CRP. This was to be Beau's run. He was still recovering from surgery to remove a tumor and I was letting him run occasionally as the open wound was still healing over. The stitches were not able to hold the skin shut completely so we had an area about the size of a quarter that would slowly close. It ended up taking 3 month's! So during this time he had to wear a cone unless I was running him. Pain in the ass! So anyway I took his cone off and put his GPS collar on, which in my opinion was the best innovation since sliced bread, especially when running dog's in big country. We headed east and made a big loop heading back west into the wind in the direction of that slough which had some brushy cover as well. As a bird hunter you have to be careful what you wish for sometimes because it's not always what works best. Well Beau works around towards the edge of the slough and then just stops cold 40 feet from the edge with his head high into the wind. I am 100 feet behind him and begin to move up cautiously. I get within 20 feet of him and birds just start bursting out in all directions! For a few seconds I just stand there watching as they are flushing adead of the dog making them just out of range so I then walk ahead hoping I can still get a shot which I do. Three times! But I miss every time and since I'm carrying my sxs that means I had to reload as well! I stand there when it's all over just in awe of the most Roosters I have seen flush in one group since I can remember. And without having got one bird out of it. A rule of bird hunting came to mind. Never stop moving forward! Especially in a multi bird flush! I had just been mesmerized by the sight which was beautiful to watch. This is a half section of CRP so I turn Beau back east in a wide circle to see if we could work any of those birds that may have landed behind us. We had points on a few Hens but no Roosters until we worked west again back towards the same slough. Beau pointed a couple more Hens and was just doing a really good job not pushing the birds all of which were moving before he pinned them down. It was a great show he was putting on. Then we moved closer to the road just south of the big flush and he pointed again on the crest of a slight incline. I went in to flush and three birds got up simultaneously in different directions and by the time I recognized the Rooster in the bunch he was out of range. Foiled again! It had been a great run for Beau as well so we headed north to the Jeep a hundred yards away. Mick really needed to get on the ground so I decided to do a short run with him a half mile away.
                                                            I let Mick out around some alfalfa and wheat stubble with a couple of small sloughs I had seen Sharptail using before. Mick immediately got birdy with a Hen flushing wild ahead of him. Now about Mick. As I've said before this dog will not leave an area if he thinks there is still a bird in his midst. So for what seemed like the next hour he worked and worked the same area after what was probably another Hen running around but I finally got him to move on and we hunted the surrounding area with Mick doing a great job of thoroughly inspecting all the right places  but no more birds. I just needed "One more Rooster" and wanted to shoot a bird for Mick so I decided to see if the Deer hunters had left the area we had been in earlier. They were gone and I decided to work the other side of the road where we had moved a lot of birds too. I had also never walked this area so as long as we were having fun I put Mick back on the ground. He quickly pointed a hen and looked at me like " Hey this is great just you and me! " Well we worked back north towards some old farmstead buildings and trees and Mick started working a bird. Head up testing the wind for scent and moving slow then stopping again and testing the wind once more. This means " Bird up ahead but moving Boss " After starting and stopping a few times he finally firms up on point and I walk up ahead but no bird. I look at Mick and he's not moving but he's steady looking straight ahead!   " Trust me there's a bird here " he'd say. I'm stomping around the area when suddenly the Rooster bolts to my left catching me off guard. Imagine that ! My first shot goes off a little to quickly and I miss the the second as the Rooster rockets away and I miss again. Foiled yet again! I have to take a few minutes to "Good dog Mick " because he did a really good job working that bird and I feel terrible having missed. Twice! I then work Mick towards the corner of this area and we have three more sessions of his thoroughness on working running birds. I'm tired of following these chases that end as Hen's but he does what he does well and I love him for it but we just need "One more Rooster!" We work towards the road and I decide to cross and work a section of CRP I hadn't worked with Molly earlier. At this point I am getting tired and my boots are wet inside as I walked through some water earlier. I wore a wool sweater with a nylon lining to cut the wind but it keeps the heat and moisture in so I'm wet underneath that as well. Mick dutifully goes to work as we head across a big expanse of grass my plan being to scout the outside perimeter of this area for future reference and to get " One more Rooster! " As we make our way a mile south east Mick works a couple Hen's causing us to go back and forth before they finally flush wild. My patience with his persistence is waning but I hold my tongue! Then one of these long drawn out stalks ends up being a Rooster that flushes wild ahead about 60 yards but Mick still continued to work the area dilligently for another several minutes. ' Just making sure there's no more birds Boss! " I get him heading south west again and suddenly a Sharptail flushes wild ten feet to my left and I fire twice and again miss. We then work all the way to the field edge where Mick gets birdy and a Hen flushes wild then in a few more yards a group of Sharptail flushes wild from the sunflower stubble. So close but yet so far away!
                                                   We then turn back west working towards the Jeep a mile away and Mick points a group of a dozen or more Hens without the usual 30 minute stalking show. Hooray! We then startle a Doe and her two fawns in the middle of the field. We walked a couple hundred more yards when Mick comes to point on a small rise. I take a couple steps and a covey of  8 Sharptail takes flight. I pick out a bird and it tumbles down with one shot. My second shot misses the mark and Mick moves ahead finding the downed bird. He looks at me holding the bird down with his paw like " All right! That's how we do that! " We then come across nothing as we head toward the tree line in the direction of the Jeep. We need just "One more Rooster". Fifty yards from the tree line I hear a Rooster calling. I stop to get a fix on the location. Right on the edge where the grass meets the tree line. I'm thinking great I get one more chance for a happy ending. Mick works the tree line and in short order comes on point. I choose to go inside the brush hoping to flush the bird to the CRP side. I kick the brush and an owl takes off that had been sitting on a low branch probably trying to catch the cackling Rooster we heard a few moments ago. Mick then moves back and forth in the brush then forward along the edge and comes to a rigid point looking right into the brush! I come up slowly and charge the brush. A Rooster flies out Mick's side coming up low then careening to the right. I fire twice missing again! I just have to laugh at this point and give Mick a pat on the head for a job well done. I think how I could have been beat so many times in one day?
                                                  Well I go to reload with just a couple hundred yards to go to the Jeep and I have just two shells left. As I go to put the shells in the chamber I drop one and look for it in the grass but can't find it! So now I' m down to one shell. I think could it be possible to get one more chance and get "One more Rooster" with just one shell left? I'm thinking this is just crazy. How could I let myself get down to one shell? We move on ahead getting close to where the Jeep is parked across the gravel road. There's a small slough ahead almost at the end of the run. Mick gets there and starts working the edge and gets birdy. I think to myself " Just give me one more chance Mick! " Mick slows up and gradually locks up on point in the tall grass. I can't believe it. I just may get one more chance. I'm thinking " Please make this a Rooster! " I go in to flush and there he is a fully mature beautiful Rooster! But he gets up behind Mick and slightly to my right. I bring the gun to my shoulder and with the barrel covering the bird fire! The bird keeps on flying unscathed. I can't believe what just happened. I got a dog that worked his butt off to get me multiple chances. I had missed time and again. I had used all my shells. No more bullets left!
                                                Mick of course did his final sweep of the area to make sure the bird hadn't come down and we headed for the Jeep just 40 yards away with just "One Rooster" to go. Feeling humiliated I had to spend a few moments with Mick having done a great job for me. Another run I will never forget.
                                                 I had an appointment to have my oil changed. So wet, tired, and humiliated I head for town but as I drive I count my blessings. A beautiful day. Three of the best dog's anybody could ask for and plenty of birds! I drop off the Setter's and get them fed then head for the co-op for my oil change. While waiting for the Jeep I just can't accept my failure to get " One more Rooster " so my mind goes to work on what spots I could make one last run in that magic last hour of daylight. As a kid I remember we'd hunt after school always at this time and I have fond memories of those days when we'd find birds just before the sun went down. Somehow it was more exciting knowing we had just that small envelope of daylight left before the sun disappeared. As I drove back to the house my plan was complete. I got dry socks,boots, and a dry shirt on. My dog would be Beau. We had a little over an hour to get to where we were going and get ' One more Rooster! " I chose an area I had hoped would have the adjacent corn picked. It was a waterfowl production area I had hunted quite a bit but I knew held both Pheasants and Sharptail. We arrived and on approach saw the corn was indeed down. Great!. I then filled my vest with shells. The opportunity was for another Rooster but we also could shoot two more Sharptail for the day.  So I loaded up and crossed the fence. We had gone a few hundred yards with Beau casting about and headed to the field edge . This run had all the makings of a successful ending to a day which had so far been very humbling especially since I had shot so well the majority of the days this season. Beau quickly got birdy at the fence edge and I moved towards him as he assumed a beautiful pose pointing into the corn stubble. I took a few more steps when a large group of Sharptail started flushing. I paused picking out a bird and brought it down then sighted on another and missed. Again. As I reloaded birds continued to rise just out of range. While reloading I looked at the shells and realized I had taken lead instead of steel! I had to get out of there! As it's illegal to posses lead shot in a waterfowl production area! So I crossed the fence and went into the corn stubble with Beau retrieving the Sharptail and headed for the Jeep. We had 45 minutes or so left enough to get back there and still get this done. There was a small slough and grassy area around a picked soybean field across the road I planned to run Beau around on the way to the Jeep as long as I had to go that way. I'm tired and hungry and not quite sure why I embarked on this mission for a moment but why not is my answer! Beau is glad to be " Coneless " and hunting once again as he surfs the cover for scent. We get 3/4 of the way to the Jeep when he suddenly locks up in a classic point looking directly at the open field which had been chisel plowed around the slough about twenty feet wide. I'm thinking Hun's. I see nothing. He's looking at nothing!. I walk over to flush and he's locked up tight as can be. Rigid. Focused. I look ahead for a moment still seeing nothing then in the next instant a huge Rooster takes flight to my right! A beautiful sight against the open field as it arcs towards the corn stubble. I swing on the bird firing as it then tumbles to the ground. Beau moves ahead and locates his prize and our final bird of the day! I head back to the Jeep teary eyed knowing what an opportunity it is to have a day like this although humbling as it was.
                                                   It's a long story but it was a longer day. After I loaded up Beau I decided to head to a little town nearby for a cold glass of beer in a frosted mug. As I sat there contemplating the day I knew I over did it physically but I was glad to have been able to give each dog a great run but the birds gave me an even better one!

The Rock Pile Points

                                                     It was towards the end of the second week of Sharptail season that I loaded up the Setter's on one of those overcast mornings with just enough rain coming down to require a raincoat. The only good news about the weather was that the temperature had dropped to the 50's. In this country the downside to early season is always the temperature as it often reaches into the upper 70's requiring us to be early riser's. The danger being of course in over heating the dog's so this time of year we are usually out early trying to get in a hunt before the temperature get's to high. The nice thing about North Dakota is that there's so much water about with numerous lakes and potholes that it's usually not hard to get your dog's cooled off.
                                                     The forecast for this particular day was scattered showers in the morning with increasingly clearer skies as the day went on. So my plan was to scout some new areas about twenty miles to the north. We drove to the areas and I let the dog's out to run a little just to walk the ground a bit to get a feel for the terrain and see if there were any birds about. It was extremely windy with intermittent light rain but I kept exploring mentally logging my assessments of the potential each area had. Eventually we worked to the east and near a spot I had hunted before and had always found Sharptail. I had forgotten about this place as we searched for new ground in the same general area but since we hadn't see any birds all morning I thought we'd make a run here. It was 9:45 a. m. and still just 62 degrees so I thought we'd be OK to work this section of old rolling hay field ground. This is a beautiful spot as it has a real variance in elevation with lots of high points and rock piles interspersed throughout the area. At the south end it butts up against crop fields of alfalfa and soybeans. I let the Setter's out and thought for a moment about rain coat or no rain coat then left it in the Jeep. The sky was showing signs of clearing which was both good and bad news as the temperature would immediately climb as soon as the sun was exposed.
                                                        The Setter's were glad to be on the ground again and fanned out as I walked into the section and started climbing a hill heading south. This is a perfect venue for the dog's to run big as I can easily see them walking the ridges of the hay field. Mick was the first to get birdy as he picked up scent along the ridge opposite me. I stopped and watched to see if he was going to lock up as he took in the scent with his tail wagging profusely. I would have immediately walked towards him but it was 200 yards straight down and then up again to get to him so I thought I'd wait to see if this would be productive. Apparently this is what you might be inclined to do if you've been walking in the rain and wind all morning and hadn't seen any birds! As I watched he slowly eased into the grass on top of this ridge and slowed to a point facing north. It was a beautiful sight as I looked at Mick holding that point and finally it clicked that I had better get my butt over there!  I hadn't gone more than a few yards when Mick lifted his right front foot to take another step forward ever so slowly and the Sharptail decided they'd had enough of his encroachment and busted upward with me still a couple hundred yards across the valley watching the drama unfold. Of course I felt liked I missed the opportunity having not moved over there immediatly and learned the lesson of "Follow The Dog" one more time! The other dog's were in the area immediately having seen the  birds take flight. I vowed to keep pace with them and not get caught watching again!
                                                          The good news is that there were birds here just as there always had been. Beau was in fantastic shape and just gliding across the ground making it difficult for the other dog's to keep up. By the time I had walked up and down the hills in the direction the birds had gone the Setter's were already on point again on the side of small rise facing north. Molly had the lead with Mick honoring to the west and Beau to the east. Absolutely beautiful. " So where is he this time? " is what they were probably thinking as I hurried to get caught up to them. This was obviously the birds from the last flush I thought still a hundred yards away. I was slightly damp from the walking with rain gear on all morning and now as I quickened my pace I was generating more heat and starting to sweat pretty good under my light jacket. I got within 40 yards and the birds finally flushed with two heading west over Mick and two heading north east which I fired at twice missing both times. This excitement was all it took now to get to get all 3 dog's excited and off to the races! I knew there were several more birds here from the first flush and so did the dog's apparently as they continued to circle the area with determination. It wasn't long before Beau had another point 150 yards away but I didn't get anywhere close before the birds flushed wild. Both Mick and Molly bumped a couple birds and despite my efforts to keep up I was breathing heavy and soaking wet from sweating under my jacket. And yeah my game bag was empty!
                                                              We worked our way to the east edge of the section and I stayed on the high ground watching the dog's work around me as they cast about. Beau was in the lead of course as this run was made for him. Wide open spaces where he can surf the wind and cover hundreds of yards of ground. Beau then picked up scent along the fence line and worked north with the bird finally flushing wild. A few minutes later the dog's converged on a depression in the field picking up scent with Beau doing a wide circle trying to locate the direction the bird took when he suddenly froze standing in the short grass. One of the things I like about this dog is that he rarely pushes a bird and will keep his distance. This is something I think that Molly has picked up from him and from her own experience of course. Luckily I was fairly close to the action this time and walked right in slowly but with no bird flushing. So I thought maybe this is a Hen Pheasant as I've seen them use the same area before. All the dog's remained rigid with Beau in a slightly crouching position which usually means ' This bird is right here Boss!" I walked around the area and nothing flushed so I looked right at Beau's eyes like I do with the dog's on many occasions and try to get a line on where exactly he's focused. I don't believe it but I kick the grass two feet in front of his nose and a mature Sharptail explodes from the cover straight away. I fire one shot from my 20 gauge RBL and the bird tumbles to the ground! What a surprise as the first dozen or so birds wouldn't let me get anywhere near them. Beau made the retrieve and laid there with his paw over the bird letting everyone know this was all his! The sky was showing signs of clearing so we pressed on trying to find more birds before it got to warm.
                                                                We were now in the back half of the section slowly climbing higher. The dog's now had taken the edge off so to speak and were now hunting at a more reasonable pace except Beau just kept on gliding across the terrain effortlessly. He runs with head high just waiting to come across scent. A truly beautiful sight. The other dog's sense he's in the lead and keep watch on his moves. He
picks up scent around a knoll in the field and circles the area as the other dog's converge on the scent following his lead. When I walk closer I see Beau pointing directly at the rock pile with Molly slightly behind him. Mick is about 40 feet behind them and I signal him to whoa just in case he decides to get just a little bit closer! As I look at this I think about how the birds have pretty much kicked my ass so far. The problem with what's in front of me is that no matter which side I approach from the birds will probably fly out the opposite side right? So I decide to get on top of the rock pile. Beau is pointing directly at the south end of the pile which isn't very high so I would have a shot either way but I climb ever so slowly and quietly on top from the north end. The dog's are probably thinking" Hey look he's gonna try to get up on the rock pile!" So now I'm on top and slowly moving towards Beau  ready to fire at any moment thinking how pivotal this shot could be in making the day. I get directly in front of the Setter's and no bird! All the dog's are still just rock solid! I'm really nervous as the bird could have run out. I walk down to the edge and the bird flushes out on the east side straight away and falls with one shot! Beau locates the bird and we repeat the ceremony from minutes before. I can tell he's in the zone and at the top of his game. He is "one" with the birds!
                                                            The sun has now broken through and I can feel the temperature start to rise so we continue to the south end with the plan to eventually turn back north and hit a dug out for water on the way back. We reach the fence line and the dog's cross into a beautiful short alfalfa field. I hesitate for a moment as this is another section and we are getting farther from water and the Jeep with temperatures rising but it looks good so we press on again. A couple hundred yards ahead into the field the Setter's get birdy and before long are all on point again. I suspect this is an entirely different covey and I'm right as they spook long before I can get in range. Having hunted this area several times before I suspect the birds are ahead so we work toward the south end of the section now 2 miles from the Jeep and a mile from the dug out and water. The dog's work the edges as we move ahead inspecting all the rock piles as well. The area we are working towards is a buffalo berry patch at the end of the alfalfa field. I try to keep pace as we approach as this has been the pattern when I've hunted these birds before. Sure enough as we approach Molly locks up first on the very edge of the patch which is classic Sharptail cover with small mounds of rocks and debris about. However it's pretty wide so there's no telling exactly where the birds are at. Mick and Beau don't see Molly right away and I inch closer hoping they lock up before bumping into the birds. Beau finally locks up after catching the scent to my right and I risk bumping the birds now within range as I signal Mick to whoa. He looks toward Molly and stops. I walk ahead of her and nothing flushes then I take a few more steps and a classic multiple bird flush takes flight with birds rising exposing their full profile as they look down at us and turn into the wind. I pick out our third bird and bring it to the ground with one shot. A few more birds continued to flush throughout the area. What a sight! I collect the bird and congratulate Molly thinking about water now as it's getting warmer and we're a mile from the dug out and the dog's are hot. I curse myself for not having water for them. As we head back they are searching all the low areas for water but there is none. I feel terrible. Beau heads for the shade of round bales every couple hundred yards as we continue back and we all rest for a few minutes to get out of the sun. We all keep walking as a group now with the dog's heeling along with me tongues hanging out. After a hundred more yards the dug out is in sight and I'm feeling better knowing that I'll have them in water soon but they're noticeably stressed especially Beau. He's always been the most affected by heat. We stop by round bales a couple more times then they see the dug out and move ahead of me. We're finally there! By the time I get there they have all immersed themselves in the water and are resting in the coolness of it. I take off my game bag and lie down in the shade of the dugout. We stayed there for a good twenty minutes or so just taking in the events of the day before making the final mile back to the Jeep.
                                                             Just like putting new batteries in a toy the Setter's have renewed energy and Mick works some birds along the fence line as we head back but they don't hold and I welcome the sight of the Jeep as we descend the final hill. Once loaded I start the Jeep and it's 72 degrees at half past noon. This is a run I'll never forget for many reason's. It was tough but beautiful. We all worked hard to get the job done and that's the way I like it. I got to see all the Setter's doing what they do best. Finding Birds! But this was Beau's run. It's what he's made for. I love hunting with that dog!  I don't know what it is about this place but it always draws me all the way back and even though I know there's water there I'll never leave without it again! Lesson learned.

The Hilltop Rooster

                                                  There are several hunts I want to eventually write down when I have time and this short story is one of them.The day after the first measurable snow of the year in 2010 I decided to head out and enjoy hunting in the 4 to 6 inches of snow that now covered the area. Since Beau was still recovering from having a tumor removed on his leg it was Molly and Mick's turn to head for the field. Before I left I thought about taking snowshoes but decided against the idea and loaded up the pup's. It was in the teens when we left with bright sun and mild winds. I chose some CRP  with hills and a waterway running through it connecting two 20 to 30 acre potholes with corn and wheat stubble on one side. On arrival I could see the snow had drifted across the valley area of the field. I knew this meant some tough going if I was going to make the entire walk around the 320 acre area which would equal 3 plus miles walking in the snow. We crossed the fence and started our trek with the pup's working the fence line where I could see Pheasant tracks right away. I was immediately into drifts above my knees and tried to stick to a line where I could walk easier. It was beautiful to see the sun shining on the snow covered hills and water but quickly caused me to heat up under the layers of clothes I was wearing. The dog's worked a quarter mile along the edge going in and out of the field. I suspected we had a few birds moving about and finally the dog's had a point in the snow covered grass. I was on the wheat stubble side and carefully crossed the fence and moved ahead to flush. A single Rooster rocketed out of the snow and grass straight away. I fired and the bird came down with Molly quickly retrieving then stopping short of coming back to me letting me know who the responsible party was! We continued on with some dips between hills to traverse filled with snow which were not fun to get through. Even though this wasn't a major accumulation of snow the wind factor in this country can make any snowfall a blizzard piling up snow anywhere it meets resistance. We then moved up a hill and Molly eyed the bushes at the crest and moved in coming to point at the top looking into the bushes. Mick of course had to validate the point and started to move that way. I knew I had better hurry because if he didn't honor behind her he could bust the birds. Luckily he moved along side her and the birds held as I moved along the west side with the dog's on the east side. I got within 20ft and a covey of Huns burst forth screeching as they flew west and arced back north. I shot and took the outside bird and missed the second. Since Mick had validated the point I guess he took it upon himself to retrieve the bird as well! We continued on to the end of the field and turned south to the cattail waterway and walked it back west with the dog's working both sides and the adjacent hillsides. There were fresh track's everywhere but we couldn't get the birds pinned down or out of the heavy cover. Mick was constantly raising his head in the air and taking in the scent along the cattails even rising up on his hind legs to try to see beyond the cover knowing the birds were there someplace. It was interesting to watch but I'm sure frustrating for him. At this point I was just putting one foot in front of the other most of the way wishing I had snowshoes! We had just passed the last pothole when Mick suddenly locked up after a half mile of this cat and mouse game along the cattails. Molly came over and respectfully honored then I moved into the cover ahead of them and a Rooster of the year flushed and I shot only to see a leg drop and the bird falter but continue flying back the way we had come a half mile and land against the water on top of a hill over looking the valley. At that point there was no way I had enough energy left to trek back and try to recover this bird. On any other day there would have been no question we'd go back to recover that bird but I was out of gas and soaking wet under the layer of clothes I had on. Just getting back to the Jeep was going to be a chore which it was but I committed to coming back the next morning from the other road a mile east to make a search for the bird as it couldn't go far with one leg in this snow.
                                                   The next morning Molly and I returned and entered from the east making our way down the waterway finding a couple Hen's but no Roosters. Then as we climbed the hill overlooking the water and valley I stopped and just took in the view. It was a  beautiful sight seeing the rolling hills covered with fresh snow. Molly worked the area the bird should have landed in with no results so I moved off the crest of the hill and mentally ran through the birds flight path one more time. As I turned and looked back in the direction I thought it had taken I was looking right at a bird sitting in the snow! I moved closer and could see the bird was dead but sitting up perfectly as if it passed away over looking the valley where it probably hatched and spent it's entire life cycle. I bent down and picked it up putting it in my game bag glad we had come back and gotten to see it as it sat on the hillside. Not all recovery efforts have this kind of ending but this one was special. Aside from it being a stunning picture I'll never forget it caused me to reflect on the struggle these birds have to survive in this harsh climate in which they live and grow. I turned away making the walk back to the Jeep with Molly having a little more respect for these beautiful birds we both love to hunt so much.

November 15th 2009

                                                 This week saw a lot of crops being harvested exposing more birds and the fall migration of thousands of snow geese. Early in the week I had a day where nothing went my way just so you know it's not always easy to get on birds at least in a fair chase sort of way meaning no gang hunting or shooting from a vehicle like the shit birds would do! On this day the birds would not sit still. The Sharptail would take off 200 yards ahead and the dog's just wanted to run big frustrated by it all. My afternoon hunt on this day netted one Sharptail the Setter's finally pinned down in wheat stubble. I would also add that I had one point on a Rooster by Molly that I hit but we lost it. Get the feel what this day was like? Saturday came around with a hard frost over night and a foggy morning. I decided to wait until the sun burned off the fog as it was still deer season out there. Safety first. So at 10:30 a.m. I unleashed the hounds in an open wheat stubble field then made a round through a pasture back towards some tree lines adjacent to some recently harvested sunflowers just to work the edge off the Setter's. This 3 mile walk netted us one wild flush on a Rooster so I worked back to the Jeep and watered the pup's. I decided to put up Mick for a rest at this point and headed across the road to hunt Molly and Beau in some CRP. Within 10 minutes we were once again working birds as Beau came on point with his head held high and Molly pointing with him side by side. This was a beautiful sight as Beau arched his head up high over the grass to catch the scent. I walked in front of the dog's and nothing flushed while they remained rigid. I paused and turned to look at Beau's line of sight and turned back when all hell broke loose with a 3 Rooster flush! I swung right on the first bird connecting with a good hit then left for the double! Both birds down! I wondered for a moment what that must have been like for the dog's as the drama unfolded. The sky was now clear except for the thousand's of snow geese making there way across the landscape. I couldn't help being thankful that yes sometimes it all works out perfectly.
                                                     Molly and Beau worked several more birds but we didn't get another Rooster opportunity here so we headed back to the Jeep and on to the next spot for Mick's run. Two miles up the road I let Mick out and he was birdy right away working an area relentlessly for a point on a Hen. The good news is that Mick will not leave an area if he knows it holds a bird. I first experienced this in Kansas with him year's earlier when after a point on a covey by all 5 dog's we had on the ground we had recovered the birds and started to continue on when I realized Mick wasn't with us. I finally walked back a hundred yards or more towards the brush the Quail had come from and as I got closer saw Mick was on point in the exact same place pointing two stragglers from the previous covey flush! They were under a log and I missed both of them as they flushed when I approached. I have learned to trust Mick as a result ever since and as My friend Bernie say's the "Top Ten Rules of Bird Hunting" are all the same "Follow The Dog!"
Anyway after Mick worked that Hen we continued on a couple hundred yards in light grass and he came on point just where it bordered some heavier cover. I walked ahead to flush and Rooster number three fell with one report from my Gold label. Now at three Rooster's on the day I looped back toward the Jeep and 100 yards from the Jeep Mick made an abrupt turn and froze. I walked right up to him and flushed a single Sharptail which flew straight away. An easy shot as the bird tumbled to the ground. Mick recovered the prize doing an excellent job on his run and I could tell he liked the one on one time. We then cruised home to take a break and grab a bite to eat before returning to let Beau work some wheat stubble we had seen some Huns fly into earlier. We headed out into the wheat stubble and Beau made a wide cast then suddenly caught scent slowed up then took a few more steps and did an abrupt turn and crouched down in a rigid point! This usually means " Holy shit these birds are right here boss!" Unfortunately I was a little to far away and as I approached the birds bolted just out of range. I worked the area for another 45 minutes trying to pin them down again but they flushed wild on us the second time in open sunflower stubble but it was a joy seeing Beau on point holding the birds in the open. He's just got so much style I love seeing him work. The great thing about him is that he hardly ever will crowd a bird and is very cautious. All he needs is just a little wind and we're in business! The sun was starting to set and I wanted to run Molly solo so we headed for the Jeep. For Molly's run we headed to the west end of the same section to hunt the edges along the alfalfa hoping to catch the Sharptail near the high spots. The geese were really moving heading back from the feeding fields to the water for the night. Molly had a smile on her face as I let her out knowing it was her turn. 200 yards from the jeep Molly did an about face on the edge of a wheat stubble filed adjacent to the alfalfa and locked up solid. This was right where I expected the Sharptail might be as they worked their way back towards the grass for the evening. I was right as 4 Sharptail exploded twenty feet ahead of Molly as I approached. I was carrying my RBL 20 gauge and took one bird as it swung to my right in front of me. Molly quickly located the down bird and we continued on as the sun was fading in the west. As we approached the Jeep along the edge of the CRP where it met the alfalfa a jackrabbit took off from a tuft of tall grass. Molly ran ahead to inspect and ran right into a mature Rooster right in the same spot! She looked surprised as it flew off confused by the two scents in the same spot. A funny sight. It was now the time when you could see fire coming out your barrel so I unloaded and made the walk to the Jeep thankful for the great day we all had. It was really fun to see all the Setter's work birds on their own and I'm glad I took the time walking the extra miles with them one on one. It's just such an opportunity to be able to do this day after day and confirms to me I was so right in coming to "Bird Country!". When I'm older and can no longer walk behind a dog I'll be glad for every mile I walked behind these Setter's. That I am sure of!

The Sun Down Run

                                                    It was October 2011 and late in the day when I decided to take Mick along as I scouted for a future Hunt. He'd been out for the week as a cut healed on his leg in a position difficult to stitch. Hunting full time takes it's toll on the Setter's as well as myself. After I had done my research I found a spot in light cover to let Mick hunt a little as his cut had healed pretty well and I had one bird left to shoot for the day. It was 6p.m. when I turned Mick out so we had 31 minutes to hunt as the sun was going down across the western sky. I refer to this as the"magic hour". With birds making their way to find cover for the night anything can happen. We circled the grassy area with Mick working his magic and me watching both him and the time. At 6:14 we turned east toward the Jeep and Mick picked up scent as he held his nose into the breeze. Never in a hurry Mick worked his way toward the edge of the field and locked up on point. I walked in and flushed a Hen glad Mick got to work a bird. However Mick is notorious for not leaving an area before he's sure the birds are gone so he begins his final sweep of the area and once again proves his patience as a virtue coming to a point on the edge of the grass where it meets the alfalfa not 40 feet from where the Hen flushed. I slowly walk forward and a Rooster rises and falls with one report form my Ruger Gold Label. Mick locates the down bird and lays down looking at me with his best dog smile! I check the time and it's 6:21 so I unload my gun and we turn our backs to the setting sun as we head for the Jeep with Mick's bird in hand never thinking that all to soon Mick and I will someday take our final walk together and I'll be left with these memories of the times we spent in the field but for now we enjoy each other's company and I realize how lucky I am to spend this time with my Setter's in "Bird Country".

Reading your Dog

                                            It was October 2009 and the last couple of weeks I had been making mental notes about the subtle ways in which the dog's communicate with me in the field and maybe with each other as well. Last weekend we were hunting a waterfowl production area with rolling hills and heavy grass when Beau went on point. I was 50 yards away and made my way towards him and when I got close he turned his head while the rest of his body remained rigid and looked to my left and then at me as he brought his head back forward to the original position. I then walked directly in front and a Hen flushed. Then to my left about 10 yards the Rooster flushed. So I believe possibly that Rooster moved slightly and he knew it but stayed on point just moving his head as the scent trail moved which was my tip that there was a bird to my left!
                                            The previous day we were hunting a full section, which is one square mile, of rolling hills and grass surrounded by wheat stubble and sunflowers. I had nice points on three Sharptail coveys and had three birds in the bag taking one bird from each covey. I then circled out into the wheat stubble as it was approaching 11:30 a.m. and suspected the birds would still be out feeding. The dog's were birdy as we made our loop around the wheat stubble tracking scent. We came upon an area of taller stubble in a valley somewhat and the dog's got actively tracking the scent towards a depression with some weedy cover. This cat and mouse game can go on forever with Pheasants so you've got to be ready for a wild flush at anytime. As we moved towards the weedy patch Mick went on point at the edge of this cover with Molly backing a few yards behind. Now Mick will often point with his tail somewhat at a down angle but when really excited it will be as straight as an arrow! I watched as he took in the scent after coming to point then probably realizing the situation by the amount of scent he straightened his tail as straight as he could get it! I walked in to flush and 8 Pheasants burst out of the cover. I swung to the right on the first Rooster. Bird down. Then came back to the left and missed the second bird. Having seen this straight tail phenomenon with Mick before I believe this is a signal related to the intensity of the scent created by Mick's proximity to multiple birds in an area. Having seen it before it's smart I thought to log these nuances in the Setter's behavior to be sure you're ready to do your part! As we walked back through this cover and into the grass we took one more Rooster thanks to Molly. Then later in the day Molly had a nice point and I walked right in but the bird did a delayed flush sitting tight which caught me off guard and I missed. Twice! We were all beat as we headed for the Jeep with the sun going down ending the day with three Sharptail and two Rooster's as we headed for home just a few miles away.
                                               Spending as much time in the field as I do I still miss signals from the dog's once in a while but try to remain aware at all times. That's why I prefer to hunt alone as it's really difficult for someone not used to these dog's or to hunting with a pointing dog in general to be aware of the nuances in their behavior which can make or break a perfect moment. The main shift you have to make in your thinking is that they're taking you hunting not the other way around! You're not hunting the birds. They are. "So pay attention Boss and don't miss!"

Epilogue

                                                  It's February 2012 and the Setter's and I have now been on this leg of our journey together for a little over nine year's. The Love Creek English Setter's Mick,Beau ,and Molly stole my heart and changed my life. The experiences we've had together have been incredible. In many way's everything I missed with other dog's in my life I've made up for with them. Most importantly I think I've learned the value of trusting my intuition these past 9 year's. There are just moments that come along in life and you get those feelings that tell you which way to go and when it's not quite clear enough you remember what makes you feel alive and go there.
                                                   The Setter's have taught me much more than I ever will teach them. The process of maturity and how to read individual dog's has been an important experience. Reading your dog and understanding them individually makes a tremendous difference in their development as one size does not fit all. I'm the trainer and always will be so I own all the results and am accountable for the success of our relationship at home and in the field. Keeping it positive and fun is the strategy to happy tails! While running multiple dog's has been a great experience I've been just amazed to watch them as individuals when hunting with them one on one and have learned to work this individual time into our runs. They all love riding shotgun knowing it's just the two of us. Hunting as a team without bells and whistle's is a beautiful thing and with the addition of Garmin Tracking collars has really changed our experience in the field. It's possible to allow the Setter's to hunt unrestricted and not have to worry about losing them on point in heavy cover. Just an amazing innovation when hunting in big country.
                                                   The friends old and new again have enriched our lives and yes there are good people everywhere! I'm glad we've gotten to share these times we've had along the road with all of them. They're priceless. Now is always the right time to reconnect and share today. Especially rewarding has been being able to learn from each other along the way. So much knowledge can't be found anywhere else except passed from one person to another so to get it you've got to spend the time with people.
                                                     Every round I shot on the skeet range or sporting clays course was a great investment as well as having shotguns that fit me well. Over these year's the quality of my experience in the field has improved dramatically due to improved shooting. I would recommend the folks at Ruger for their excellent product and service as well as the crew at Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing both great American Gun companies!
                                                     The great hospitality we were shown along our travels was a real lesson. The kindness and friendship we experienced along the way has had an everlasting impression on me. After working in a business exposed to people at their best and worst everyday on some level it has been a real inspiration to be around the good people we've met and who welcomed us into their home's. There are really good people everywhere! It was truly an inspiration!
                                                     Everything in life revolves around a process or cycle. When the game changes you've got to adjust. This doesn't mean you have to lose anything it just means you have to achieve it using a new strategy. I found I could tip my life upside down then look at it a different way and come out ahead! I'm now enjoying the things I love more than ever but it took the guts to change. The courage to say you know what? There's another way! Then trying it!
                                                      The economics of retirement are a much written and talked about subject and rightly so. But I will say this that faced with the certainty of more uncertainty as the only thing we can really rely on, that living below your means as far as possible is the only and best advice I can give. Living within your means would be the worst. That just gets you even without a plan if things change and change they will. This is a personal and different situation for everyone but I've simply tried to stay the course  keeping what's important to me in my life and done the best I could along the way. Keep it simple are words I live by.
                                                       Living in "Bird Country" is my dream and I know it's not for everybody but we'll be here for a while I expect. The Setter's will turn 10 next year. I had them out the other day running them in Doc's hay field west of town. I just walked along as they stretched their legs casting about. It wasn't long before Mick was honoring a point by Molly along a fence line. I just watched them for a minute before walking in to flush a Rooster just so happy to be here with them. Beau had cast 300 yards to the north  and was working back to the west when he struck a pose. The other pup's headed over with me and froze up as they got closer. They all re-positioned a few times as we worked this moving bird up ahead in the short pasture grass. Finally Mick froze with his head slightly to the right and down.I thought a covey of Hun's maybe. Then I walked up and flushed a hen from in front of his nose! He was glad to have found the bird I could tell. We then turned back to the south under a sunny sky and headed back to town a few miles away." Bird Country" now both a dream and a reality. I definitely think we'll be here for a while....
                                                         That Ladies and Gentleman is the end of book 1. I don't profess to be an expert on any of the subjects written about here but just an average guy who figured out how to live his dream. I hope you enjoyed reading along.

Movin In

                                                    We spent the majority of September 2009 living at Tom's place in between trips to Wisconsin moving our belongings. It was a busy time and the theme for the next six month's as I got us settled in a new place, took on the opening of the new cafe, and bird hunted as much as possible! I will always remember the day I finally got my North Dakota license plates. When I took them out of the envelope it hit home that I now belonged in a different place. As I took the old Wisconsin plates off and replaced them I couldn't help but be a little nostalgic but it felt good to look at my vehicle and think I was now a true resident here. I laughed at the experience at the Motor Vehicle office in Bismarck when registering for plates and my driver's license. Being used to the long waiting lines in Wisconsin and the forms to fill out and having to take a ticket to get in the Que then watching and listening for the bell to ring and your number to come up the system here was in one word "simple". All you did was walk up to an open attendant window tell them what you needed to do and they did the rest! Done deal! Of course this is due to the fact that this is one of the least populated states in the nation but that's just fine with me.
                                                     Now I would find that just because my license plates said North Dakota that meant nothing to some of the people in the small town in which we were to live. While they were a very friendly bunch these families had lived and operated the same farms and ranches for generations. Consequently the names you would come across were very common from one area to the next as families continued to stay in the same geographic area's. This creates a very tight knit social system centered around family,church,school,work and civic organizations. In that order. It was the same from one area to the next with people being loyal to each little town and community they lived around and with very few new people ever moving to these area's this culture was very developed as a way of life here. My main objective in coming here though was to bird hunt and not for the social life. I had looked forward to living in a small town having grown up in one but had never been one to belong to organization's or needing a lot of social interaction having had a job where I was around people constantly all day. So when I experienced the difference in how people treated someone not local or part of this tight knit system naturally I looked to spend my money or take social outings to those places where I was greeted with a smile and treated in a more friendly manner. No problem. I've written about the differences from one town to the next as I traveled about over the year's so this was nothing new to me and I quickly adjusted to the fact that in some people's eye's I would never be from here, never be "local", and for those people that treated me differently because of that I had no time for such bullshit. So for example if I was out hunting and felt like a cold glass of beer I'd  gladly drive ten miles out of my way if it meant I felt welcome to be there. Make no mistake there are a lot of very good people here that I truly enjoy and do business with. However the main reason the Setter's and I came here was to bird hunt!
                                                  We finally got into our new house and I soon learned I had great neighbor's. In fact one of my neighbor's, Mike, was right there to help me unload and offered his help any time if needed. To the east were Roger and Pauline. Roger had been the former county agent for year's now retired.  He also had been Mayor for several year's. Pauline had come over to introduce herself and said my husband love's to hunt as well. He also likes to drink beer! So you're welcome to come over any time we're out on the deck! I met the rest of the community as I worked on the cafe project and thanks to a couple articles the local paper did on my arrival in town in regards to the project everyone knew me. These people were friendly. The local convenience store and gas station run by Ken and Brenda was not only the friendliest place in town it was probably the most friendly business I know of. You're always greeted and called by name here and I really go out of my way to do business with them as a result.The people here were fun and as usual there were some real character's. This all felt good and right to be here.
                                                 It was great to just load up the Setter's anytime I had a few hour's and head out to hunt. I could have them on birds five miles from town just about any day. This is why I moved here and it was a great feeling. This was worth a lot to me and was a lifestyle choice just like Love Creek was so I was remaining true to my passion letting it take me where it may. The sounds of the town included geese usually flying over making there way to and from feeding grounds or during migration. The train that would come through stopping at the grain elevator. The cattle calling from the sale barn pens on the outskirts of town. And the kids in the neighborhood as they rode bikes and ran around the neighborhoods making their own fun as kids do. People out for a walk would stop and talk for a while. My neighbor Martin who lived a couple block's away in his eighties would ride his bike down the alley and stop and chat with his German accent. Sundays quickly became a favorite day. The streets were vacant. Nothing moving. Total silence except for the sound of church bells. An occasional car would go by on main street but for the most part nothing was moving except the traffic from the church's. It was a great day for a bike ride, a run with the Setter's or maybe just reading a book while sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee.
                                                  So we were here. The fall hunting season would have many great moments as expected but we were just letting go of the tension and uncertainty of the past several month's. Exhaling if you will. The process of making the move was finally over and a new process under way. That being the process of making our new home work for us. It would take some work and organization but it would finally come around with time. Patience. Always patience. I couldn't help but note with all the moving and lifting that I hadn't put my back out of whack. No visits to the chiropractor required. This surprised me but I was conscious of the need to be careful and was glad to have gotten everything done without a problem. Amazing. We were officially "Moved In".