Preparation for my tenth season with the Setters is finally underway. The mild spring and warm temperatures caused the birds to nest earlier and as a result the chicks are now excellent fliers. And with most hay fields cut I can safely run the Setters without disturbing any late nesting birds.
We have been getting out either late in the evening or an hour or so after sun up. Right now a 30 minute workout is sufficient and if the weather is cooler I'll run the pups both morning and evening. It's been great to finally get back out there and while I choose areas likely to not hold birds we usually find some on every run. Exercise is the main objective for the first few weeks then by mid August we'll be seriously scouting to locate broods of Sharptail for the September opening.
So far everybody's manners are still in tact with all three pups honoring points nicely with the occasional encroachment by Mick. This is nothing new and every preseason I reinforce the rules with him and basic commands with them all. I give a whistle blast and hand signals to change direction and just a hand signal if they are in my line of sight. Two blasts on the whistle to come all the way in along with my hand pointing to the ground. Again if they are in the line of sight I can get them in by using the hand signal. It's very basic as they are all used to how we work together. They naturally cast about and work back around to me eventually so with the use of Garmin Tracking collars I eliminate any apprehension about their location if out of sight.
The landscape is ever changing and this year is no exception. Less CRP and more corn once again fueled by rising commodity prices. This will mean a challenge for the early season Pheasant hunters once again. More crops unharvested during the first part of the season will mean less acres for them to hunt with what will be lower bird populations again this year I expect. For the Sharptail hunter not much will change as farm and ranch country is filled with enough pasture and rolling hills to provide ample cover to hunt these birds. If you're willing to play the game that is! You can walk miles before you find which hill they're setting behind and if you're lucky then get close enough for a shot.
I've been enjoying meals of both Pheasant and Sharptail the last several weeks working on using up last year's bounty. Cooked properly which is medium rare both are delicious but I'm partial to the Sharptail with a little A-1 steak sauce. Wow is that living I say to myself!
All the pups are healthy at this writing as the days count down to the start of another dream season. I had a scare with Beau in June as the leg he had a cancerous tumor removed from became swollen when we were in Wisconsin. Within 48 hours the swelling abated and now the leg shows no signs of any issues. I suspect a spider bite possibly. He's my favorite dog to watch work Sharptail as he ranges quite wide and stops on a dime never pushing birds. Just a beautiful sight to see. Molly carries a little more weight during the off season than I'd like but it comes off very quickly. She's been excited to get back out in the field and is like a time keeper nuzzling my arm when she knows it's time to head out to run. Mick as I've written about previously has slowed a bit but is his same thorough and methodical self. It's a joy to watch him use his wisdom and read a birds movements. I'll run him solo most of the time from here on out once the season begins.
As I contemplate objectives for the season I think about savoring our time like a fine wine. Maybe slowing up a bit between runs. Carrying a collapsible camp chair with us. A thermos of coffee. Maybe a bottle of whiskey or a six pack of beer. I remember bringing home three puppies that all eventually ended up in my lap as I drove home. Now all of a sudden we're in our tenth season together. I want it to last forever. I want to always remember every moment. But we'll take it one day one run at a time till we can't walk anymore knowing how special our time was together. Knowing we had it all.
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