As we approached the sight of our morning run yesterday there was a group of Sharptail alongside the road milling about with their necks extended eyeing the adjacent hay field. They took flight to the east as we turned in to park and I thought we'd try to find them as we circled back west towards the Jeep.
With birds in the air before the pups were even on the ground they were more than excited. The temperature was finally reasonable after two days of intense heat making this our morning to stretch our legs once again. The Setter's were off to the east heading to a fence line 200 yards ahead when I heard the chuckling of birds taking flight. Tails were wagging and noses to the ground as they found the sight of the covey that had busted around a little rise just the other side of the fence.
The rancher had been rotating his cattle from pasture to hay field sectioning it off and allowing them to graze the alfalfa growth that had occurred since the June cutting. This was no good news for us as it further eliminated any cover for the birds. But we covered the ground to the west coming back through some heavier cover hoping to pin down some birds. As we approached from the west I came over a knoll to find the Setters on point but got no closer than 75 yards and the birds busted. With the cover so sparse the sight advantage was all in their favor this morning.
Moving through the heavier alfalfa sure enough Molly picked up scent first and pointed a double backed by Mick. Beau was casting up ahead along the edge. Molly worked ahead to the west pointing again. This time a group of three Sharptail with Mick again at her back. Beau was birdy but I suspect his birds had moved into the adjacent corn field. It was a nice end to the run as we were just 100 yards from the Jeep and took our time walking back. Such a great thing to be able to get these dog's on wild birds so frequently.
The rest of the morning I spent working on some maintenance around the house repairing some old single hung windows and painting the trim. I was up on the porch roof working on the front dormer windows when someone called my name from below. It was Mary from 2 blocks north. A retired lady in her late seventies who has made it her mission to keep track of what I'm doing it seems. Mary means well and living alone without family walks around town with the aid of a walker visiting as she goes putting more miles on that walker than her car I suspect. Her message for me was of course that I had better be careful up there and what was I doing up that high in the first place! I said " Don't worry Mary its not my time yet!" She replied " Well that's what Judy thought too but she died just last week and she was only 58!" Mary went on to tell me about her kids living down in the New Orleans area and about the storm. I'm trying to be a good sport and listen as I'm on the roof but thinking you know if you keep distracting me I probably will fall off the roof!
Mary cautioned me again before she was on her way saying if I fell onto the steps that'd be really bad! So back to work I go for about 10 minutes when I hear my name again. This time it's my neighbor to the east wondering what I'm doing up there as she heard hammering. I explain what I had just told Mary. Pauline then tells me our neighbor Erwin 1 block east had died this morning of a heart attack. Erwin age 93 had had an attack 2 weeks ago and after coming home from the hospital was driving around town at parade speed and drinking free coffee at the co-op like usual. His wife Eileen said he had had a couple bad days and they thought maybe it was the shrimp burger he ate. Pauline rolled her eyes and shook her head when she related that saying that they then had taken Erwin to the hospital where the doctor told him he had had another heart attack apparently. A day later he had another and was gone. I think this was the third death in town in a week. It's put everyone on edge somewhat as we all think about our mortality. And me being up on the roof am now thinking about it as well! Could it happen? Sure. I could trip on the power cord or a tool. How would the story be told? Well he was on the roof doing something. So and so had just talked to him and the next thing he was dead. Tripped and fell!
Having been sufficiently distracted I finished my work on the front dormer deciding to leave the back for another day when the vultures weren't circling overhead. But I had to laugh that even on the roof I couldn't escape the news at hand in my little town thanks to the well meaning friends and neighbors around me. So I indeed lived another day to write one more story about life "Along the way".
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Old Age Bumps and Lumps
I've been watching the Setter's as we make our preseason runs evaluating their condition and stamina. I had noticed Mick slow up a bit last year but hunt just as effectively. It was so much fun to watch him use his wisdom and experience showing Molly and Beau how it's done time and again. Beau as I had mentioned had a couple days where his leg had swollen up when we were in Wisconsin in June but it returned to normal on it's own. I decided it must have been a spider bite possibly. Molly had me a little concerned the last few weeks as she seemed to be a little more stressed by the exercise taking more time to catch her breath.
So I decided to make an appointment with the Vet to have Molly checked out and Mick as well who had developed a 1 1/2 inch circular bump on the underside of his ear. The Vet service I've been using is a half hour away and staffed by 4 very capable Vets specializing in primarily large animals with this being farm and ranch country. You can't request a specific Vet which I don't like but these guys work closely together and are usually in the office during small animal hours so it works.
I explained to the Vet Molly had been exhibiting decreased stamina and trouble recovering from strenuous exercise compared to the other pups. At age 9 and carrying about 12 extra pounds in warm weather we agreed that there were at least some obvious circumstances anyway. But after listening to her heart and breathing and detecting nothing unusual the Vet wanted to take an x ray to view her heart and lung areas to rule out any abnormalities. These guys keep it simple and don't have a lot of staff around so that meant I had to control the button to take the x ray while the assistant and the doctor held Molly in place. Mission accomplished in just a few seconds. Molly was on her feet and I led her outside to the air conditioned van while we waited for the film to develop.
This was Micks time to come in to get his ear checked. Dr Elliot took just a few seconds to confirm Mick had a condition caused by a broken blood vessel that makes fluid and blood accumulate under the skin. This is caused by some trauma usually created as dog's shake their ears or hit them against something. The fix was to insert a draining needle and relieve the pocket of fluid. It would get better when the broken veins heal he said. Mick has other bumps and lumps we've looked at before but at age 10 is happy and hunts at his own pace always glad to be on the team.
After reading Molly's x ray and seeing everything appearing normal Dr Elliot had one other doctor listen to her heart before proclaiming her in good health relative to her age and slightly heavier than normal weight. Dr Joe just came out to the van and put his stethoscope on her proclaiming her OK as well. When I thought about it with as hot as the summer has been it really was challenging to keep them active and exercised especially when we had about 6 weeks straight of near 100 degree weather.. During the spring hatching season we walk on leash only until the birds are big enough to fly well then I start running them again which this year was mid July. But again with the heat it's hard to follow a strict schedule.
I was glad to know at another year older the process of aging was the extent of my worries on this trip. As long as I had Beau along I brought him in to show the Vet who did his leg surgery for removing a cancerous tumor that his leg was fine and free of any more indication of trouble. Just to be safe he examined Beau and said he seemed OK so we said our good byes and headed for home.
The season opener is now just 3 weeks away. I've quit scouting as the habitat is all in poor condition. Dry,mowed and plowed under. It's difficult to see it this way but we'll find enjoyment in just being together again for one more season. That's why we're here. This is our life. These moments I share with 3 of the best friends I've ever had are the best of times." Old age bumps and lumps" are just part of the journey.
So I decided to make an appointment with the Vet to have Molly checked out and Mick as well who had developed a 1 1/2 inch circular bump on the underside of his ear. The Vet service I've been using is a half hour away and staffed by 4 very capable Vets specializing in primarily large animals with this being farm and ranch country. You can't request a specific Vet which I don't like but these guys work closely together and are usually in the office during small animal hours so it works.
I explained to the Vet Molly had been exhibiting decreased stamina and trouble recovering from strenuous exercise compared to the other pups. At age 9 and carrying about 12 extra pounds in warm weather we agreed that there were at least some obvious circumstances anyway. But after listening to her heart and breathing and detecting nothing unusual the Vet wanted to take an x ray to view her heart and lung areas to rule out any abnormalities. These guys keep it simple and don't have a lot of staff around so that meant I had to control the button to take the x ray while the assistant and the doctor held Molly in place. Mission accomplished in just a few seconds. Molly was on her feet and I led her outside to the air conditioned van while we waited for the film to develop.
This was Micks time to come in to get his ear checked. Dr Elliot took just a few seconds to confirm Mick had a condition caused by a broken blood vessel that makes fluid and blood accumulate under the skin. This is caused by some trauma usually created as dog's shake their ears or hit them against something. The fix was to insert a draining needle and relieve the pocket of fluid. It would get better when the broken veins heal he said. Mick has other bumps and lumps we've looked at before but at age 10 is happy and hunts at his own pace always glad to be on the team.
After reading Molly's x ray and seeing everything appearing normal Dr Elliot had one other doctor listen to her heart before proclaiming her in good health relative to her age and slightly heavier than normal weight. Dr Joe just came out to the van and put his stethoscope on her proclaiming her OK as well. When I thought about it with as hot as the summer has been it really was challenging to keep them active and exercised especially when we had about 6 weeks straight of near 100 degree weather.. During the spring hatching season we walk on leash only until the birds are big enough to fly well then I start running them again which this year was mid July. But again with the heat it's hard to follow a strict schedule.
I was glad to know at another year older the process of aging was the extent of my worries on this trip. As long as I had Beau along I brought him in to show the Vet who did his leg surgery for removing a cancerous tumor that his leg was fine and free of any more indication of trouble. Just to be safe he examined Beau and said he seemed OK so we said our good byes and headed for home.
The season opener is now just 3 weeks away. I've quit scouting as the habitat is all in poor condition. Dry,mowed and plowed under. It's difficult to see it this way but we'll find enjoyment in just being together again for one more season. That's why we're here. This is our life. These moments I share with 3 of the best friends I've ever had are the best of times." Old age bumps and lumps" are just part of the journey.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Changing Landscape
We took advantage of the cool morning temperatures today and headed out for our run heading north to check an area we often hunted in the late season. It's 320 acres of rolling hills which had been in CRP ever since I'd been around the last several year's. We hunted it late because it was lighter grass for the most part. It held more birds after the crops were down of course but even then it was a challenge to get them pinned down but loads of fun regardless. I had never seen anyone else hunt it as again the gang hunters would avoid the large expanses of grass preferring to ambush the birds in the sloughs so they wouldn't need to walk very far.
As we traveled down the gravel road we passed a bunch of cattle that had escaped their fence and further on ahead saw cattle now moved into a pasture we love to hunt for Sharptail. This Rancher doesn't over graze so there's usually sufficient cover left to hold birds. This year being drier though I'm not sure what it'll be like once he moves them out for the season. A mile further north we passed that Rancher heading down to the adjacent hay field to load round bales. That's the alfalfa we were in the other evening where we found multiple coveys of Sharptail. I'm crossing my fingers hoping he doesn't cut it again. We'll see!
We rounded the corner at the top of the hill and headed on east a quarter mile to our spot. As it came into view I was shocked but not surprised by the sight. What had been a great spot for years was now a barren field filled with round bales ultimately waiting to go under the plow and back into production. The loss of CRP is so evident everywhere we go. I pulled up and let the Setter's out and started to reminisce about all the birds we took here and those that got away. So much fun. So many good times. Gone now forever. We hunted harder last year than we ever had before and I thought to myself how glad I now was that we had put on so many miles together. It was so much fun day after day. We'll just hunt more pastures for Sharptail I said to myself. But no matter what this season will be different. The Setter's were glad to be on the ground but I could tell they knew this was not bird cover as they casually cast about in the dry grass stubble. It had always held deer as well and some Sharptail around the rock piles now without even 6 feet of grass around them.
Just the other day I had read a piece on the world population estimates for the future and what the demands for meat production will be and what it means. It was startling to think of where this production will come from. It will mean I believe that there will never be an incentive for farmers to take land out of production in the future as there has been in the past benefiting bird hunters like myself. So you can bet every available acre no matter how marginal will be actively utilized whether grazed or farmed in the future. Our miles walked per bird may increase this year but we've got some miles left on us. We'll hunt as hard as we're able in our tenth season together thinking about seasons past as we go by those places we no longer hunt remembering the times we had. Meanwhile world demand for food,global warming,ethanol production and a host of other unstoppable factors will continue to drive the transition of "The Changing Landscape".
As we traveled down the gravel road we passed a bunch of cattle that had escaped their fence and further on ahead saw cattle now moved into a pasture we love to hunt for Sharptail. This Rancher doesn't over graze so there's usually sufficient cover left to hold birds. This year being drier though I'm not sure what it'll be like once he moves them out for the season. A mile further north we passed that Rancher heading down to the adjacent hay field to load round bales. That's the alfalfa we were in the other evening where we found multiple coveys of Sharptail. I'm crossing my fingers hoping he doesn't cut it again. We'll see!
We rounded the corner at the top of the hill and headed on east a quarter mile to our spot. As it came into view I was shocked but not surprised by the sight. What had been a great spot for years was now a barren field filled with round bales ultimately waiting to go under the plow and back into production. The loss of CRP is so evident everywhere we go. I pulled up and let the Setter's out and started to reminisce about all the birds we took here and those that got away. So much fun. So many good times. Gone now forever. We hunted harder last year than we ever had before and I thought to myself how glad I now was that we had put on so many miles together. It was so much fun day after day. We'll just hunt more pastures for Sharptail I said to myself. But no matter what this season will be different. The Setter's were glad to be on the ground but I could tell they knew this was not bird cover as they casually cast about in the dry grass stubble. It had always held deer as well and some Sharptail around the rock piles now without even 6 feet of grass around them.
Just the other day I had read a piece on the world population estimates for the future and what the demands for meat production will be and what it means. It was startling to think of where this production will come from. It will mean I believe that there will never be an incentive for farmers to take land out of production in the future as there has been in the past benefiting bird hunters like myself. So you can bet every available acre no matter how marginal will be actively utilized whether grazed or farmed in the future. Our miles walked per bird may increase this year but we've got some miles left on us. We'll hunt as hard as we're able in our tenth season together thinking about seasons past as we go by those places we no longer hunt remembering the times we had. Meanwhile world demand for food,global warming,ethanol production and a host of other unstoppable factors will continue to drive the transition of "The Changing Landscape".
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Birds Birds Birds
Living in bird country for someone like myself is as good as it gets but not without it's quirks as I call them. The sport in this area has not been overly commercialized like areas of South Dakota but still draws plenty of out of state hunter's. In these small towns the business is farming and ranching of course and the attitude is "This is how we do things here". You can go faster than the speed limit,burn your tires,light off cherry bombs and M-80's right outside your neighbors window and not expect anyone to get to excited. I would add you can also drive on your lawn, fill it up with junk cars, boats and 4 wheeler's as well.
These quirks as I call them sometimes cause me to look for an escape to balance the scales. Lately I've been researching property in the U.P. of Michigan as a winter refuge close to several ski resorts. What I've come to realize is that those areas are very economically depressed and are playgrounds for people from the cities from the south and west. Property taxes in general are higher and non resident property is classified as recreational and heavily taxed giving the break to the year round residents. This is nothing new but once you really look at it it puts bird country into perspective.
My assessment is that I've found a sweet spot removed from the commercialized hunting zones with less birds but plenty to keep the Setter's and I busy. Yes there are cultural practices that annoy me from time to time but not as much as I believe living in an area surrounded by the poverty of the north woods country inhabited on the weekends by the "I've got money" crowd from the cities. A sweet spot that no one in their right mind would move to unless you were truly passionate about pointing dog's and prairie birds.
My perspective was further clarified last evening. It was time for the Setter's to go outside so I let them into the backyard around 6:30. It was a beautiful day. I'd washed the vehicles,mowed the lawn and rode my bike around town in the afternoon. Then later relaxed on the front porch while reading a book surrounded by the Setter's. Two on the couch with me and one at my feet. Beau follows me like a shadow with Mick taking his time to claim his spot closest to me and Molly waiting till she determines my movement is worth her changing her location then making a grand entrance letting me know she's joined the party.
As I was watching them head out into the yard the neighbors called over for me to join them on their deck for a drink so I splashed some whiskey over ice and headed over. Roger and Pauline laughed and joked about the Goose hunting and scouting they'd been doing with Roger now still out there but not as early in his 78th year. Wow! Then we joked about the neighbor to the west and his new used Snap on Tool truck we suspect he's going to turn into a camper. It's now parked next to his boat and old Winnebago camper that no longer is road worthy. My son Carson had reminded me that I was lucky I didn't have a "Shit Show" in all directions at least! The Setter's were laying in the shade adjacent to the deck just waiting for my return watching and listening to us talk. I said my good byes and was greeted at the gate by my crew with Beau in the lead now howling at me saying "It's about time already! Let's go for a run!"
So we headed out north of town as it was cooling off now around 7:15 or so with clear skies and no wind to speak of at all. I chose an area we hadn't checked for birds yet and I could tell the Setter's were just filled with anticipation as we traveled down the gravel section line road. This was a hay field of 320 acres surrounded by pasture and corn tucked back in off the main gravel road. I unleashed the hounds and they were quickly on scent with Molly taking the lead and on point in less than a minute it seemed. The other two dog's upon notice after finishing their business joined the "point" focused on a round area of slightly taller alfalfa about twenty feet in diameter. I went in to flush and two Sharptail went up to my left. The dog's then broke and re positioned about 30 feet away and again more birds went up those being the remnants of the covey. How cool was that the pup's would say!
That was enough given the conditions and temperature to really get the Setter's attention as they cast to the south east and over a rise disappearing from my line of sight with the exception of Molly who was working closest to me. When I didn't see Mick and Beau continue to cast up ahead I knew we had another point probably as I had last seen them heading for a rise and suspected I'd find find them just on the other side staunch on point. Sure enough as I came closer there they were both side by side pointing at the base of the rise. Molly hadn't seen them yet as we approached but with her manner's I wasn't worried about her bumping the birds and as she came within view of her mates she froze in her tracks from 100 feet away. I had quickened my pace somewhat as this was a very pretty set up and wanted to flush the birds for the pups before they ran out ahead. I walked right in as another covey of Sharptail flushed to the north. Beautiful!
The conditions were perfect for us and the birds bringing us all together at the same time and place to enjoy these moments. The Setter's could sense it as well as myself. With the cool temps I wasn't concerned about them over heating but was conscious we were in the midst of a lot of birds and knew they were working hard. We continued to the east with three more points. Two with all three pup's and Molly on a group of 4 by herself. Of course we also bumped several birds not wanting to hold as we covered the ground as well but over all I was pleased with the Setter's performance and the number of young birds we saw. I called in Mick and Molly and settled them while Beau relentlessly continued to cast about the field. He paused a few more times but couldn't pin down any more birds so eventually joined us for a break on the rise we were standing on overlooking over the area.
We were a half mile from the Jeep so I heeled the Setter's until I thought we were out of range of any birds that flew back behind us as I wanted to make it back to the Jeep before dark! The Jeep came within sight so I released the pups but not without them working one more bird as we approached with Molly taking the lead and coming to point less than a hundred yards from the vehicle. What a show!
I watered the Setter's as they caught their breath and leaned up against the Jeep taking in the sunset once again understanding and putting into perspective life in "Bird Country". On one hand there's a few "quirks" as I call them but on the other hand there's "Birds Birds Birds!.
These quirks as I call them sometimes cause me to look for an escape to balance the scales. Lately I've been researching property in the U.P. of Michigan as a winter refuge close to several ski resorts. What I've come to realize is that those areas are very economically depressed and are playgrounds for people from the cities from the south and west. Property taxes in general are higher and non resident property is classified as recreational and heavily taxed giving the break to the year round residents. This is nothing new but once you really look at it it puts bird country into perspective.
My assessment is that I've found a sweet spot removed from the commercialized hunting zones with less birds but plenty to keep the Setter's and I busy. Yes there are cultural practices that annoy me from time to time but not as much as I believe living in an area surrounded by the poverty of the north woods country inhabited on the weekends by the "I've got money" crowd from the cities. A sweet spot that no one in their right mind would move to unless you were truly passionate about pointing dog's and prairie birds.
My perspective was further clarified last evening. It was time for the Setter's to go outside so I let them into the backyard around 6:30. It was a beautiful day. I'd washed the vehicles,mowed the lawn and rode my bike around town in the afternoon. Then later relaxed on the front porch while reading a book surrounded by the Setter's. Two on the couch with me and one at my feet. Beau follows me like a shadow with Mick taking his time to claim his spot closest to me and Molly waiting till she determines my movement is worth her changing her location then making a grand entrance letting me know she's joined the party.
As I was watching them head out into the yard the neighbors called over for me to join them on their deck for a drink so I splashed some whiskey over ice and headed over. Roger and Pauline laughed and joked about the Goose hunting and scouting they'd been doing with Roger now still out there but not as early in his 78th year. Wow! Then we joked about the neighbor to the west and his new used Snap on Tool truck we suspect he's going to turn into a camper. It's now parked next to his boat and old Winnebago camper that no longer is road worthy. My son Carson had reminded me that I was lucky I didn't have a "Shit Show" in all directions at least! The Setter's were laying in the shade adjacent to the deck just waiting for my return watching and listening to us talk. I said my good byes and was greeted at the gate by my crew with Beau in the lead now howling at me saying "It's about time already! Let's go for a run!"
So we headed out north of town as it was cooling off now around 7:15 or so with clear skies and no wind to speak of at all. I chose an area we hadn't checked for birds yet and I could tell the Setter's were just filled with anticipation as we traveled down the gravel section line road. This was a hay field of 320 acres surrounded by pasture and corn tucked back in off the main gravel road. I unleashed the hounds and they were quickly on scent with Molly taking the lead and on point in less than a minute it seemed. The other two dog's upon notice after finishing their business joined the "point" focused on a round area of slightly taller alfalfa about twenty feet in diameter. I went in to flush and two Sharptail went up to my left. The dog's then broke and re positioned about 30 feet away and again more birds went up those being the remnants of the covey. How cool was that the pup's would say!
That was enough given the conditions and temperature to really get the Setter's attention as they cast to the south east and over a rise disappearing from my line of sight with the exception of Molly who was working closest to me. When I didn't see Mick and Beau continue to cast up ahead I knew we had another point probably as I had last seen them heading for a rise and suspected I'd find find them just on the other side staunch on point. Sure enough as I came closer there they were both side by side pointing at the base of the rise. Molly hadn't seen them yet as we approached but with her manner's I wasn't worried about her bumping the birds and as she came within view of her mates she froze in her tracks from 100 feet away. I had quickened my pace somewhat as this was a very pretty set up and wanted to flush the birds for the pups before they ran out ahead. I walked right in as another covey of Sharptail flushed to the north. Beautiful!
The conditions were perfect for us and the birds bringing us all together at the same time and place to enjoy these moments. The Setter's could sense it as well as myself. With the cool temps I wasn't concerned about them over heating but was conscious we were in the midst of a lot of birds and knew they were working hard. We continued to the east with three more points. Two with all three pup's and Molly on a group of 4 by herself. Of course we also bumped several birds not wanting to hold as we covered the ground as well but over all I was pleased with the Setter's performance and the number of young birds we saw. I called in Mick and Molly and settled them while Beau relentlessly continued to cast about the field. He paused a few more times but couldn't pin down any more birds so eventually joined us for a break on the rise we were standing on overlooking over the area.
We were a half mile from the Jeep so I heeled the Setter's until I thought we were out of range of any birds that flew back behind us as I wanted to make it back to the Jeep before dark! The Jeep came within sight so I released the pups but not without them working one more bird as we approached with Molly taking the lead and coming to point less than a hundred yards from the vehicle. What a show!
I watered the Setter's as they caught their breath and leaned up against the Jeep taking in the sunset once again understanding and putting into perspective life in "Bird Country". On one hand there's a few "quirks" as I call them but on the other hand there's "Birds Birds Birds!.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Along The Way
The pursuit of any passion takes you on a journey often times rewarding in ways you might not expect or anticipate in the beginning. When I think of the year's spent traveling with the Setter's and the places we've gone people we've met and experiences we've shared the rewards have been many. You can't put a price tag on things like this and if you try you'll never leave home,never meet the people,see the places or experience the unexpected things that make you say "Yes this is what life is really about!"
Just the other day I was working on restoring some old windows that had been painted shut when my neighbors called to me saying that our friend Fred was on the way over and I should join them for coffee. Fred lives 18 miles west and has about 2000 acres he manages like a wildlife sanctuary. He's in his mid seventies now having just sold his beef cattle and retired from active ranching life. He's a "Finlander", speaks with a slight accent and lives on the same farm he was born on. A better steward of the land would be hard to find and I admire and respect Fred for his concern and efforts to preserve habitat as well as fair chase hunting practices. Fred doesn't like coming to town and prefers enjoying the life he's made for himself on the ranch. He's got shooting targets set up outside his kitchen window and likes to shoot his 22 pistol from the kitchen table! The first time he showed me his new pistol when I stopped over for coffee he said" Just crank open that window and sit right there and shoot". So that's what we did taking turns marking shots for each other with binoculars from the kitchen table! I should mention Fred's wife left over 30 year's ago which we have in common and he has two son's who live out of the area so he's used to making his own rules. Like myself! Shooting from inside the house is one of them.
We were all out on the neighbors deck covering the usual subjects centered around hunting and bird populations when the conversation somehow segued to health care and the number of medications doctors prescribe these days. Well this prompted Fred to tell a story about "Doc Goodman" who was the sole doctor in this part of the state from 1958 through the late 1970's. Fred was a teenager at this time and was prone to catching pneumonia as he related. This was around the Christmas holiday season and every year at this time there was a party weekend when all the "college girls" were home. Fred feeling himself coming down with a bad cold was afraid he'd miss the weekend parties. So he went to see Doc Goodman explaining how he really didn't want to miss the parties with all the "college girls"and would it be possible to just get something to get him through the weekend. He said that Doc Goodman looked him over then gave him a shot of some really thick green stuff and then handed him a bottle of "pills" to take periodically throughout the weekend. "Well Hell! Fred said. " I never felt better and had so much energy I hardly slept all weekend and had a great time". But then Monday morning came and I felt like I was melting. I didn't have anymore "pills" left so I went back to Doc Goodman and said "those "pills" really worked great could I get some more?" Doc said " No son! No way! You're done now!. So Fred was left to go cold turkey but recovered from the bad cold eventually never forgetting how Doc Goodman fixed him up just like the movie stars for that special weekend with the "college girls". Doc himself was suspected of using the "medicine" to keep him going 7 days a week across country delivering babies and going from one emergency to the next year after year. It was said if you ever had occasion to ride with Doc Goodman he usually hit 100 miles an hour on the straightaways often times while reading a book!
We all had a good laugh as Fred told the story. It was a good one. He said he never knew what the medicine was nor did he mention exactly what the attraction was with the "college girls" but it certainly had his attention as a young man! At 73 now speaking with his Finnish accent bright smile and white hair standing a little over 5 feet tall it's a memory that he'll never forget. And it's a story that's definitely one of the rewards"Along the way".
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Habitat.Going Going ....Gone.
As I've written about before the landscape changes in bird country from year to year but the current shift in land use is I'm afraid a more permanent one. There are many factors at play here mainly driven by the upward trend in commodity prices for crops. Any programs that benefit wildlife in any way will increasingly come under pressure also as the government simply runs out of ways to pay for them. As a bird hunter it means enjoy it while you can as it certainly will not be the same in the future.
The Setter's and I headed out last night for an evening run to a favorite preseason spot that usually holds both Pheasant and Grouse. 320 acres of rolling hills and a few small sloughs. This has been a hay field that usually has been cut only once a year and sometimes not at all in prior year's.
I set the hounds loose and we began our walk to the west. The field had been cut in June and the round bales were still in the field where the baler had left them. Many times in the early morning the birds will hop on top to catch the rays from the sun drying their feathers wet from the morning dew. The Setter's were glad to be here remembering it I'm sure from our trips here over the years. As I looked around the adjacent fields were in wheat and sunflowers this year. The flowers had bloomed about two weeks ago meaning the birds would head to them as a food source now all season long. They may still use the hay fields for hopper's as long as they can but sunflowers are a high value food for the birds. As we walked back through the field I noticed the slough's had been completely mowed off. I hadn't thought about this but due to dry weather this year they were dry in many areas allowing the farmer's to mow right through them reclaiming the field space from the expanding cattails. Another habitat loss for the birds. Then as we swung around to the south we came over a rise and saw a couple tractors in the field along with a mower rake and baler. This meant the field was to be cut again this year. I had hunted this spot many times over the year's and it was always used by the birds throughout the season but I guess due to the shortage of hay with drought conditions across the countryside it meant we would have to find yet another place to do the dance.
I walked a little slower after I realized we wouldn't be hunting here this year as a second cutting and no sloughs simply meant the birds had no reason to be here. I loved to hunt here as it was overlooked by the gang hunters as just marginal cover not worth the walk but with good pointing dog's was a perfect spot. It didn't hold a lot of birds but the challenge was always to just find a few then get them pinned down long enough for a shot in what was pretty sparse cover for the most part.
As we drove home we passed another similar spot we frequent and sure enough there sat the equipment ready to cut the hay a second time as well leaving virtually nothing for cover the rest of the season. I thought then about maybe hunting more federal grasslands or waterfowl production areas. But it has been so much fun to find big open spaces close to home often reminding me of just walking down the railroad tracks behind my house as a kid with my Brittany Spaniel at my side. What my friend Bernie would say is" what we need to find is a poor farmer". I asked what he meant and he said " Somebody that leaves the crops in the field to long and isn't particular about the weeds!" All things that benefit the birds of course is what he meant. But with modern farming methods and equipment even marginal land can be utilized profitably these days. Habitat. Going. Going.....Gone.
The Setter's and I headed out last night for an evening run to a favorite preseason spot that usually holds both Pheasant and Grouse. 320 acres of rolling hills and a few small sloughs. This has been a hay field that usually has been cut only once a year and sometimes not at all in prior year's.
I set the hounds loose and we began our walk to the west. The field had been cut in June and the round bales were still in the field where the baler had left them. Many times in the early morning the birds will hop on top to catch the rays from the sun drying their feathers wet from the morning dew. The Setter's were glad to be here remembering it I'm sure from our trips here over the years. As I looked around the adjacent fields were in wheat and sunflowers this year. The flowers had bloomed about two weeks ago meaning the birds would head to them as a food source now all season long. They may still use the hay fields for hopper's as long as they can but sunflowers are a high value food for the birds. As we walked back through the field I noticed the slough's had been completely mowed off. I hadn't thought about this but due to dry weather this year they were dry in many areas allowing the farmer's to mow right through them reclaiming the field space from the expanding cattails. Another habitat loss for the birds. Then as we swung around to the south we came over a rise and saw a couple tractors in the field along with a mower rake and baler. This meant the field was to be cut again this year. I had hunted this spot many times over the year's and it was always used by the birds throughout the season but I guess due to the shortage of hay with drought conditions across the countryside it meant we would have to find yet another place to do the dance.
I walked a little slower after I realized we wouldn't be hunting here this year as a second cutting and no sloughs simply meant the birds had no reason to be here. I loved to hunt here as it was overlooked by the gang hunters as just marginal cover not worth the walk but with good pointing dog's was a perfect spot. It didn't hold a lot of birds but the challenge was always to just find a few then get them pinned down long enough for a shot in what was pretty sparse cover for the most part.
As we drove home we passed another similar spot we frequent and sure enough there sat the equipment ready to cut the hay a second time as well leaving virtually nothing for cover the rest of the season. I thought then about maybe hunting more federal grasslands or waterfowl production areas. But it has been so much fun to find big open spaces close to home often reminding me of just walking down the railroad tracks behind my house as a kid with my Brittany Spaniel at my side. What my friend Bernie would say is" what we need to find is a poor farmer". I asked what he meant and he said " Somebody that leaves the crops in the field to long and isn't particular about the weeds!" All things that benefit the birds of course is what he meant. But with modern farming methods and equipment even marginal land can be utilized profitably these days. Habitat. Going. Going.....Gone.
Friday, August 10, 2012
No Shots Fired
These day's just weeks before the Sharptail season opens the first Saturday in September are some of my favorites. The weather has cooperated by trending down in temperature from July's record setting day's and now the Setter's and I are enjoying waking up to mornings in the fifties once again.
It's the change in temperature that tells the Setter's the time we wait for all year is coming once again. Our run's during these day's I love almost as much as the regular season. It's quiet. Serene. No other hunters. Just the sights and sounds of the North Dakota farm and ranch country. Small grain harvest is underway and hay fields are growing back from being cut in June as we run through them coming across Pheasants and Grouse. As I see CRP disappear I think to myself where will I find places to let my Setter's cast far and wide surfing the wind for scent. The big open spaces are why we are here. It's made for pointing dog's to work and enjoy. The answer is that we will hunt more pastures this year spending more time hunting Sharptail and Huns waiting for the crops to be harvested exposing the Pheasants and driving them to whatever cover they can find. The game for me is to watch the Setter's as they work the big open spaces. It's incredibly beautiful to me and I never tire of seeing them time and again come to a point amid this landscape of rolling hills and open spaces. That's why I don't hunt the cattail sloughs or the wooded forest lands pursuing Ruffed Grouse. I need to see the drama unfold before my eyes not hidden in the brush or in cover 6 feet tall. The bottom line is that I simply love watching these beautiful dog's work birds.
Last evening around 7:30 my crew converged on me nudging me until I got the message that it was time to head out for our evening run. The weather was cool and we'd been out in the morning as well. After refilling the water jug and picking up an ice cream cone we headed out of town with windows down and the Setter's enjoying the breeze as we made our way. Mick rides shotgun. Beau takes the seat behind me with Molly taking the opposite window. Funny how they have this worked out but that's the way it is.
I chose to run a hay field which had alfalfa growing back about a foot high now. It's directly across from a large rolling hill pasture which is never overgrazed making it usable for Sharptail as well as Pheasants. I turned out the Setter's and Beau picked up scent even before he could commence with his business. This was a funny sight as the other two were already in the process of completing theirs as they watched Beau's tail start to indicate "We've got birds here!". Beau moved on south following the scent along with Molly. Mick had to verify Beau had indeed not overlooked the birds before moving ahead as he would do with his "No bird left behind attitude". I suspected we had some birds that had come from the pasture across the road come into the alfalfa to feed on hopper's. Beau and Molly were casting about to the south 150 yards ahead as Mick worked the fence line in that direction along the road ditch. I moved in their direction keeping my eye on Mick as I don't like them working around the road even when I'm in a remote area so I was ready to whoa him if needed due to a truck coming by. After another 100 yards Mick came to a soft point along the fence line assessing the scent before moving ahead again at which time I directed him to join us heading slightly east now. As I turned to look at Beau he had come to a point on the crest of a knoll in the hay field with Molly honoring about a hundred feet behind. What a good girl she is. I never have to worry about her when working with Beau or Mick. She's got perfect manners. I choose a line walking towards Beau that would put me coming towards him from the front. I was 150 yards from them and walked casually ahead enjoying the show as they held point together. Beau's head was held high in the air denoting birds up ahead a ways. Mick had now seen the action and made his way into the scent taking up a spot to the right and slightly behind Beau. The birds were holding as I approached Beau about a hundred feet to my right now. His body was rigid and his head tilted high focused on a spot out ahead. I thought Sharptail and I was right as a group of four birds of the year flushed in a beautiful picture with all three Setter's on point watching as they chuckled their way to the north. What a sight as I thought about how rewarding it was to enjoy even without carrying a gun and taking a bird.
The Setter's continued on working the rest of the alfalfa with Beau energized by his find taking the lead and casting out 300 yards ahead to the end of the field thoroughly working the edges hoping to find one more bird. I just love watching this dog cover ground. I watched from a high point as they all eventually worked back my way coming to rest at my feet with tails wagging thanking me for the run.
We made our way to the Jeep across some short grass hills that had been gone over with a rock picker leaving holes and dents in the ground. I heard Beau yelp as he came towards me then watched him carrying his right front leg as if he might have sprained it or fell in one of these places I suspect. I checked his leg once he got to me and saw no obvious injury and he didn't seem to mind me inspecting it so we moved on. We took our time as the Setter's drank their fill of cold water and watched the sun starting to set. It was a good run. Those Sharptail had made the day for us all. No shots fired.
It's the change in temperature that tells the Setter's the time we wait for all year is coming once again. Our run's during these day's I love almost as much as the regular season. It's quiet. Serene. No other hunters. Just the sights and sounds of the North Dakota farm and ranch country. Small grain harvest is underway and hay fields are growing back from being cut in June as we run through them coming across Pheasants and Grouse. As I see CRP disappear I think to myself where will I find places to let my Setter's cast far and wide surfing the wind for scent. The big open spaces are why we are here. It's made for pointing dog's to work and enjoy. The answer is that we will hunt more pastures this year spending more time hunting Sharptail and Huns waiting for the crops to be harvested exposing the Pheasants and driving them to whatever cover they can find. The game for me is to watch the Setter's as they work the big open spaces. It's incredibly beautiful to me and I never tire of seeing them time and again come to a point amid this landscape of rolling hills and open spaces. That's why I don't hunt the cattail sloughs or the wooded forest lands pursuing Ruffed Grouse. I need to see the drama unfold before my eyes not hidden in the brush or in cover 6 feet tall. The bottom line is that I simply love watching these beautiful dog's work birds.
Last evening around 7:30 my crew converged on me nudging me until I got the message that it was time to head out for our evening run. The weather was cool and we'd been out in the morning as well. After refilling the water jug and picking up an ice cream cone we headed out of town with windows down and the Setter's enjoying the breeze as we made our way. Mick rides shotgun. Beau takes the seat behind me with Molly taking the opposite window. Funny how they have this worked out but that's the way it is.
I chose to run a hay field which had alfalfa growing back about a foot high now. It's directly across from a large rolling hill pasture which is never overgrazed making it usable for Sharptail as well as Pheasants. I turned out the Setter's and Beau picked up scent even before he could commence with his business. This was a funny sight as the other two were already in the process of completing theirs as they watched Beau's tail start to indicate "We've got birds here!". Beau moved on south following the scent along with Molly. Mick had to verify Beau had indeed not overlooked the birds before moving ahead as he would do with his "No bird left behind attitude". I suspected we had some birds that had come from the pasture across the road come into the alfalfa to feed on hopper's. Beau and Molly were casting about to the south 150 yards ahead as Mick worked the fence line in that direction along the road ditch. I moved in their direction keeping my eye on Mick as I don't like them working around the road even when I'm in a remote area so I was ready to whoa him if needed due to a truck coming by. After another 100 yards Mick came to a soft point along the fence line assessing the scent before moving ahead again at which time I directed him to join us heading slightly east now. As I turned to look at Beau he had come to a point on the crest of a knoll in the hay field with Molly honoring about a hundred feet behind. What a good girl she is. I never have to worry about her when working with Beau or Mick. She's got perfect manners. I choose a line walking towards Beau that would put me coming towards him from the front. I was 150 yards from them and walked casually ahead enjoying the show as they held point together. Beau's head was held high in the air denoting birds up ahead a ways. Mick had now seen the action and made his way into the scent taking up a spot to the right and slightly behind Beau. The birds were holding as I approached Beau about a hundred feet to my right now. His body was rigid and his head tilted high focused on a spot out ahead. I thought Sharptail and I was right as a group of four birds of the year flushed in a beautiful picture with all three Setter's on point watching as they chuckled their way to the north. What a sight as I thought about how rewarding it was to enjoy even without carrying a gun and taking a bird.
The Setter's continued on working the rest of the alfalfa with Beau energized by his find taking the lead and casting out 300 yards ahead to the end of the field thoroughly working the edges hoping to find one more bird. I just love watching this dog cover ground. I watched from a high point as they all eventually worked back my way coming to rest at my feet with tails wagging thanking me for the run.
We made our way to the Jeep across some short grass hills that had been gone over with a rock picker leaving holes and dents in the ground. I heard Beau yelp as he came towards me then watched him carrying his right front leg as if he might have sprained it or fell in one of these places I suspect. I checked his leg once he got to me and saw no obvious injury and he didn't seem to mind me inspecting it so we moved on. We took our time as the Setter's drank their fill of cold water and watched the sun starting to set. It was a good run. Those Sharptail had made the day for us all. No shots fired.
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