Looking over my journal notes from the season of 2011 there were lots of days and runs worthy of not forgetting. Sometimes things happen as planned but more than not each day has it's surprises it seems in one way or another. Being able to find the humor and or slowing down to appreciate the moments seems to always help make the day.
It was late November and the Setter's and I were hunting down along the South Dakota border one morning. I had decided to run all 3 pup's in this large area with diverse terrain. They had hunted well together here before so I unleashed the hounds once again. It was cold with a light layer of ice covering the sloughs along with a dusting of snow.
We had gone about two hundred yards when all 3 dog's were birdy along a slough bordered by sunflower stubble. As they worked to the west along a tree line I lost sight of them and upon checking my Garmin Beau had gone south along the tree line. Molly had gone northwest along the slough and I didn't have time to check for Mick as I came within sight of Beau pointing along the field edge. Before I headed for Beau I also caught sight of Molly pointing as well but being farther away decided to head for Beau first. I got within 50 yards of Beau and his birds flushed wild. After getting him turned back around we headed towards Molly who was patiently still holding now 150 yards away. I got halfway to her and her birds bolted as well. Gosh darn it. A group of 4 Roosters no less!
My boots had not been on the ground for more than twenty minutes at this point. Now where was Mick? I pulled out my Garmin again and he was 75 yards east on point! This would be right in the slough as I walked back that direction and with the ice being very thin I tried to spot him first without walking out to far for fear of falling through. Well I got within 35 yards and kept trying to spot him but couldn't. So I checked the location again and headed in a direct line breaking through the ice and walking in the water now almost over my boots. That's the point that I finally spotted Mick. Not on point but totally immersed in the water having broken through! He was holding himself up with his front paws on the ice waiting for me to rescue him. I walked ahead with the water getting deeper as I went breaking the ice as I moved forward. By the time I reached Mick I was up to my crotch in the cold icy water. Grabbing him with one hand by the collar I tried to hoist him out but the ice just kept breaking. Of course the other two dog's interested in what the hell was going on had also ventured out onto the ice but luckily hadn't fallen through. I gave them the whoa command once I realized they had followed. Walking and pulling Mick at the same time I was able to get him out far enough for him to walk on his own again after about 50 feet in the deep water. I hope he appreciated it! I'm not sure if left on his own whether or not he would have made it out. Another reason to use the Garmin tracking collars!
With a whole day of hunting ahead of us I was now wet up to my waist. We had gotten into birds right away but had nothing to show for it. I decided to tough it out and directed the pup's to circle around to the north to hunt some CRP. On the way Molly had a nice point on a single Rooster no doubt an earlier missed opportunity which I missed again. Twice!
We walked on another quarter mile to the grass with the Setter's fanning out and working into the wind as we headed west. They worked the ground beautifully with birds moving ahead and I was able to watch as the field had a gentle rise to it. After circling about with all of them trying to corner these birds I finally had Beau pointing in the lead 100 yards to the west. Molly and Mick upon seeing Beau also were locked up 25 and 50 yards to the north of him. Honoring his point. A really pretty sight. I just kept hoping the birds would hold as I made my way as quickly as I could. Within range finally I slowed and walked the rest of the way cautiously towards Beau. Pointing with head high into the wind I walked past him 20 feet. Then the most beautiful double flush I think I ever saw occurred with two Roosters taking flight rising in full profile one slightly before the other allowing me time to focus on the first before taking sight on the second. But it wasn't to be. Not on this day. When I squeezed the trigger the only sound that was heard was that of the cackling and beating of wings as the birds escaped to the west. I had forgotten to reload on the last flush!
What a beautiful moment. Although squandered it was such a sight to see and I had to laugh at myself. But I made sure to give kudos to the pup's and we continued on with two more nice points on Rooster's I was able to put in the bag. One which was a really nice job by all 3 Setter's in the open pasture grass. My pants and boots were also dry by the time we reached the Jeep. No harm done! I was now ready to head for a little town nearby with a cafe where I knew I could get a piece of homemade pie or two before we headed to our next run.
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