These are the days and times when instinctively we know there's no turning back. The days you know the undeniable and the inevitable have finally won the battle. Things change as a consequence. Of what? The answer is always the same whether it's bird populations, habitat,relationships,the economy or the best bird dog's you've ever owned. Time and it's passing.
As I hunted all the likely places the setters and I have pursued sharptail grouse in the first few days of the season I became conscious of several turning points occurring simultaneously. The last few winters have not been favorable with harsh conditions for all the upland birds. These were followed by less than ideal spring weather the most recent spring being unusually cold and wet right during hatching. The result year to year declines in populations.
Habitat has seen a major assault as hundreds of thousand of acres have transitioned out of CRP and back into production. A cycle that follows commodity prices but this one is driven by our federal ethanol policy and not likely to change any time soon. Maybe not even in my lifetime.
We all share time with each other as our paths move along common ground bound by family,the process of growing up and friendships we develop along the way. But again as the ties that bind us mature and our interests evolve those paths begin to grow apart as well. Suddenly the distance and difference in priorities in our lives finds us out of touch leaving us focused on the past and no longer living together in the present.
I remarked to a friend recently that I enjoyed the simplicity of my living arrangements with the setters. A house that fits with a nice yard in a small rural area just minutes from getting my dogs on wild birds. I can get my arms around that I said. It's a good feeling. I like it. But the forces of the global economy while we can't control them have a tremendous bearing on our lives. Like dominoes once put in motion all follow suit. It's part of how I got here retiring earlier than expected but prepared for the contingency. Already having been living a simple life following my passion. While we can't control the global economy we can control our own in many ways through personal choice and lifestyle.
This is our eleventh season together and its been a great experience all eleven years. As I see the effects of time and long days in the field on my setters I have a tremendous respect for the drive and passion of these beautiful animals and all they have to share with us. An appreciation for the youth and playfulness of a new puppy and the promise it brings. I take them to the field now and just walk with them going at their pace in appropriate cover letting them once again put their noses to the wind. I owe them this as they've shared their best days with me and the remaining experiences will be all the richer for the bond we've shared as time continues marching on.
So this convergence of "Turning Points" makes it blatantly obvious that life is meant for living. Right now. Today. The setters and I are so lucky to have shared a decade of unforgettable time together only because we took advantage of today. I put aside what many would have allowed to get in the way and kept my eye on the prize. A dream. What makes me feel alive. What helps me make sense of what time is really meant for. Living.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Old Dogs
Any dog owner will tell you about their dogs knowing when its time to do this or that. With hunting dogs its changes in temperature that signals to them its time to once again head to the field. Experts describe this phenomenon as associative behavior. I would simply agree with everyone that dogs are experts at it!
Yesterday was no exception for my crew. We had a nice day noticeably cooler than recent days with no wind. As the afternoon came and went the setters came alive after the afternoon nap routine. Around 6:30 or so they all started in on me. By this I mean that ears up questioning look that means "well its nice and cool out lets get going!" Out numbered I gathered myself filling a water bucket and grabbing a whistle just in case someone got out of sight. I've struggled with my back the last several weeks and had just gone to the chiropractor so I've been using a small step stool for the setters to climb into the jeep. They're getting better at this routine but would prefer me helping them in of course but unfortunately those days have passed me by! Once loaded we headed out to a favorite spot that holds all 3 species of upland birds common in this area, pheasants,huns, and sharptail grouse.
With windows down feeling the cool evening breeze we were off. The setters were all heads up in anticipation as we left town. A few miles later we turned on a gravel road which they know means we're getting closer! A couple miles later I slow turning into a hay field parking the jeep. Before I can get out Mick who rides shotgun is pushing me to let him by while Beau and Molly wait anxiously for me to open the back door to let them out. It's a beautiful evening to be out for sure and I can see the alfalfa is just right for sharptail with their young broods. The adjacent pasture hasn't been grazed as it's a fall pasture and the section to the north is in sunflowers this year a high value food source for all the birds. This also means that they are probably all living in there and on the edges most of the time at this time of the year. This was just meant to be a casual walk anyway with Mick retired and Molly not far behind. Beau however has been covering ground lately like a dog much younger than his 10 and a half years.
I slowly walked into the pasture meaning to just make an arc and come back into the alfalfa giving everyone a chance to run a little. Mick seems to know his limitations and just moved about watching Beau casting ahead. Molly was off as well in a smaller pattern than Beau but actively trying to pick up scent which both she and Beau did working what I expect were some moving birds. This is a hilly area and Beau was quickly up and down the ridges to the back of my planned route. So I had to get sight of him again moving ahead. Before I realized it we had gone a bit farther than I wanted to go. I came upon Molly first on point. When I moved ahead the bird had run out obviously. Mick was behind a bit to my left watching. Then I spotted Beau on the other side of the fence into the alfalfa to the east working scent around a knoll. I lost sight of him in some tall grass then saw a hen pheasant bust wild from that spot with Beau then circling around our direction. I signaled with my hand to head back to the west and we walked a bit when both Molly and Mick stopped for a rest while Beau caught up to us. It was more than just a stop for Molly as she was stressed from over exertion. It happened quickly and I felt bad for getting her out to far. There was a cattle tank with water 150 yards to the south but she didn't want to move. So we just settled waiting as the sun was going down along with the temperature which was about 65 degrees. We had run into a few cockle burrs so I passed the time removing them from Molly. She wagged her tail seeming to know it was great to be out but she just needed time to catch her breath. Mick was content to relax of course as he has a much more laid back nature but I had to remind Beau to remain seated as he wanted to continue looking for birds.
After a good 20 minutes Molly was catching up so I headed for the fence line 50 yards away where we would follow the alfalfa back to the jeep a half mile. Beau immediately started casting wide into the alfalfa like a much younger dog with Molly and Mick on heel at my side. I stopped occasionally to make sure Molly was OK. Then as Beau circled towards us he became birdy at the edge of a depression in the alfalfa. I expected this may be sharptail and sure enough a few seconds later he was rigid on point facing Mick Molly and myself 50 yards to the north. Both Mick and Molly came alive and headed towards Beau along with myself. In short order I once again had all 3 setters on point! As I walked up to Beau. I got within a few feet of him when the first sharptail burst forth. Then as tradition goes the rest of the covey started rising in a delayed format one by one. It was a beautiful sight as they all chuckled away with the sun now setting. Just like old times I laughed to myself. I remembered how many times I had been tricked into firing both shots at the first bird then standing with an empty gun as several more birds flushed!
I congratulated Beau and gave kudos to Mick and Molly for honoring the point as they milled about taking in the scent of the birds. We lingered for a few moments just taking it in then headed the remaining quarter mile to the jeep. I was hoping to not run into any more birds on the way wanting to get Molly back to the jeep. That was the case as we arrived a few moments later in single file. We remained there for another 15 minutes as the setters drank their fill and I ran water on their bellies to cool them down before loading them up. A coyote called out from across the road in the adjacent hills letting us know we were on his turf once again. It was a beautiful sunset. Quiet. An experience and a moment shared once again between "Old Dogs".
Yesterday was no exception for my crew. We had a nice day noticeably cooler than recent days with no wind. As the afternoon came and went the setters came alive after the afternoon nap routine. Around 6:30 or so they all started in on me. By this I mean that ears up questioning look that means "well its nice and cool out lets get going!" Out numbered I gathered myself filling a water bucket and grabbing a whistle just in case someone got out of sight. I've struggled with my back the last several weeks and had just gone to the chiropractor so I've been using a small step stool for the setters to climb into the jeep. They're getting better at this routine but would prefer me helping them in of course but unfortunately those days have passed me by! Once loaded we headed out to a favorite spot that holds all 3 species of upland birds common in this area, pheasants,huns, and sharptail grouse.
With windows down feeling the cool evening breeze we were off. The setters were all heads up in anticipation as we left town. A few miles later we turned on a gravel road which they know means we're getting closer! A couple miles later I slow turning into a hay field parking the jeep. Before I can get out Mick who rides shotgun is pushing me to let him by while Beau and Molly wait anxiously for me to open the back door to let them out. It's a beautiful evening to be out for sure and I can see the alfalfa is just right for sharptail with their young broods. The adjacent pasture hasn't been grazed as it's a fall pasture and the section to the north is in sunflowers this year a high value food source for all the birds. This also means that they are probably all living in there and on the edges most of the time at this time of the year. This was just meant to be a casual walk anyway with Mick retired and Molly not far behind. Beau however has been covering ground lately like a dog much younger than his 10 and a half years.
I slowly walked into the pasture meaning to just make an arc and come back into the alfalfa giving everyone a chance to run a little. Mick seems to know his limitations and just moved about watching Beau casting ahead. Molly was off as well in a smaller pattern than Beau but actively trying to pick up scent which both she and Beau did working what I expect were some moving birds. This is a hilly area and Beau was quickly up and down the ridges to the back of my planned route. So I had to get sight of him again moving ahead. Before I realized it we had gone a bit farther than I wanted to go. I came upon Molly first on point. When I moved ahead the bird had run out obviously. Mick was behind a bit to my left watching. Then I spotted Beau on the other side of the fence into the alfalfa to the east working scent around a knoll. I lost sight of him in some tall grass then saw a hen pheasant bust wild from that spot with Beau then circling around our direction. I signaled with my hand to head back to the west and we walked a bit when both Molly and Mick stopped for a rest while Beau caught up to us. It was more than just a stop for Molly as she was stressed from over exertion. It happened quickly and I felt bad for getting her out to far. There was a cattle tank with water 150 yards to the south but she didn't want to move. So we just settled waiting as the sun was going down along with the temperature which was about 65 degrees. We had run into a few cockle burrs so I passed the time removing them from Molly. She wagged her tail seeming to know it was great to be out but she just needed time to catch her breath. Mick was content to relax of course as he has a much more laid back nature but I had to remind Beau to remain seated as he wanted to continue looking for birds.
After a good 20 minutes Molly was catching up so I headed for the fence line 50 yards away where we would follow the alfalfa back to the jeep a half mile. Beau immediately started casting wide into the alfalfa like a much younger dog with Molly and Mick on heel at my side. I stopped occasionally to make sure Molly was OK. Then as Beau circled towards us he became birdy at the edge of a depression in the alfalfa. I expected this may be sharptail and sure enough a few seconds later he was rigid on point facing Mick Molly and myself 50 yards to the north. Both Mick and Molly came alive and headed towards Beau along with myself. In short order I once again had all 3 setters on point! As I walked up to Beau. I got within a few feet of him when the first sharptail burst forth. Then as tradition goes the rest of the covey started rising in a delayed format one by one. It was a beautiful sight as they all chuckled away with the sun now setting. Just like old times I laughed to myself. I remembered how many times I had been tricked into firing both shots at the first bird then standing with an empty gun as several more birds flushed!
I congratulated Beau and gave kudos to Mick and Molly for honoring the point as they milled about taking in the scent of the birds. We lingered for a few moments just taking it in then headed the remaining quarter mile to the jeep. I was hoping to not run into any more birds on the way wanting to get Molly back to the jeep. That was the case as we arrived a few moments later in single file. We remained there for another 15 minutes as the setters drank their fill and I ran water on their bellies to cool them down before loading them up. A coyote called out from across the road in the adjacent hills letting us know we were on his turf once again. It was a beautiful sunset. Quiet. An experience and a moment shared once again between "Old Dogs".
Sunday, September 8, 2013
The In Between Days
These are the days from the end of the last season until the beginning of the next. What do you do I'm asked. Well the answer is as everyone does wherever you are and that's enjoy those things that make up your life experiences.
Living with the Setters on a day to day basis is a great joy. Attending to their needs and living as a pack fills every day. We go every where together. Yes that includes the post office and the grocery store although short trips we're a unit you see. Weather permitting we walk sometimes twice a day together then I go on my solo bike ride around the outskirts of town. In a way maybe I'm making up for time lost with previous hunting companions during busier days.
I like to ski in the winter which requires a trip back to that country. Reading books from cover to cover. Then the past two years I've taken up hybridizing day lily's which means starting seeds indoors come the end of February. It's been a great past time throughout the spring and summer as we wait once again for the days we can spend together in the field. An interest in beautiful flowers is a good companion interest to beautiful bird dog's I decided.
This small town life is unique in many ways and you have to appreciate it's advantages. The simplicity and community spirit are what keep the people who call this place home living here generation after generation. However as years go by the values and traditions of the second generation now approaching their eighties fade a little with the passing of time. These are the folks that grew up during the "Dirty Thirties"surviving on what they could garner from the harsh prairie acres of their homesteads. The third generation families who now operate the family farms and ranches are struggling in many ways with parents across the country who try to give their kids what they didn't or struggled to have growing up. This focus on material things in a technological age is evident in the behavior and attitude of the fourth generation young people. Everything is made easy for them. There is no lack of money. Their entitlement to everything life has to offer they believe is their inherent right. They are for the most part good kids but I'm afraid are being done a disservice by not being held more accountable. Grandparents shake their heads and wonder what will become of them and their children with everything so easy. They expect so much should be given to them they say when they themselves worked so hard for so little but were happy individually and as a family often times with 8 to 10 siblings. "Our life in the early days was hard but it was a good life".
While I didn't come here to raise a family I did come here to enjoy the advantages of being in bird country with my Setters. And we have had many beautiful moments in the field together. Priceless moments. Days you only have by being here. Everyday. However the noise and the culture of the third generation now running the town leaves me thinking of my next destination. I love the sounds of the town but as litter is a visual assault on the senses the noise from straight pipe illegal exhaust systems and squealing tires is audible litter or trash to my ears. Yes trash! I don't like it. But in these in between days it's become more and more evident. You see the kids are entitled to this behavior it seems. God forbid the kids be denied! While I am no stranger to life in rural areas having grown up in a small town and worked in many agricultural markets my whole career this disturbs me. So it seems specific to this particular area.
When discussing some current national events with my neighbors over the fence the other day I remarked that it was my goal in my remaining years to live where I was shielded from such nonsense. Now there are days by my definition I'm not sure I'm there!
Living with the Setters on a day to day basis is a great joy. Attending to their needs and living as a pack fills every day. We go every where together. Yes that includes the post office and the grocery store although short trips we're a unit you see. Weather permitting we walk sometimes twice a day together then I go on my solo bike ride around the outskirts of town. In a way maybe I'm making up for time lost with previous hunting companions during busier days.
I like to ski in the winter which requires a trip back to that country. Reading books from cover to cover. Then the past two years I've taken up hybridizing day lily's which means starting seeds indoors come the end of February. It's been a great past time throughout the spring and summer as we wait once again for the days we can spend together in the field. An interest in beautiful flowers is a good companion interest to beautiful bird dog's I decided.
This small town life is unique in many ways and you have to appreciate it's advantages. The simplicity and community spirit are what keep the people who call this place home living here generation after generation. However as years go by the values and traditions of the second generation now approaching their eighties fade a little with the passing of time. These are the folks that grew up during the "Dirty Thirties"surviving on what they could garner from the harsh prairie acres of their homesteads. The third generation families who now operate the family farms and ranches are struggling in many ways with parents across the country who try to give their kids what they didn't or struggled to have growing up. This focus on material things in a technological age is evident in the behavior and attitude of the fourth generation young people. Everything is made easy for them. There is no lack of money. Their entitlement to everything life has to offer they believe is their inherent right. They are for the most part good kids but I'm afraid are being done a disservice by not being held more accountable. Grandparents shake their heads and wonder what will become of them and their children with everything so easy. They expect so much should be given to them they say when they themselves worked so hard for so little but were happy individually and as a family often times with 8 to 10 siblings. "Our life in the early days was hard but it was a good life".
While I didn't come here to raise a family I did come here to enjoy the advantages of being in bird country with my Setters. And we have had many beautiful moments in the field together. Priceless moments. Days you only have by being here. Everyday. However the noise and the culture of the third generation now running the town leaves me thinking of my next destination. I love the sounds of the town but as litter is a visual assault on the senses the noise from straight pipe illegal exhaust systems and squealing tires is audible litter or trash to my ears. Yes trash! I don't like it. But in these in between days it's become more and more evident. You see the kids are entitled to this behavior it seems. God forbid the kids be denied! While I am no stranger to life in rural areas having grown up in a small town and worked in many agricultural markets my whole career this disturbs me. So it seems specific to this particular area.
When discussing some current national events with my neighbors over the fence the other day I remarked that it was my goal in my remaining years to live where I was shielded from such nonsense. Now there are days by my definition I'm not sure I'm there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)