First Snow

It's October 22nd and as I let the Setters out at 6 a.m. I'm surprised by an inch of snow covering the ground. A couple things go through my mind. First of all I'm glad I had just finished repairing my chain link fence in the back yard the day before but more importantly I knew this would be a great day to be in the field bird hunting! I'd run Beau of course because I planned on covering some ground today and when I saw the snow I knew exactly where I'd head. The hill country. This is an area where I hunt a quarter section of grass and heavy cover then swing to the south into some beautiful rolling hills in pursuit of sharptail grouse.

I rushed through my morning coffee getting my gear together and the Jeep set up with everything I'd need for the day. On days like this it's like a reflex. Grab the gear load the dog and go! So we did. While the sun was still trying to peak through the clouds we were on the road headed for our destination. Beau's been doing a fantastic job for me. I've been running him every other day as he'll be 11 in January. Giving him a break seems to be helping him maintain his weight. He just covers so much ground he can get run down pretty quick. I was excited to run him in the hill country as it's such a sight to see him against that scenery coming to point on the hilltops like a statue against the landscape. That's what makes me walk for miles in these hills hoping to see this dog setting a covey of grouse just one more time.

We arrived with a few minutes to sun up as I gathered myself and turned on Beau's GPS collar. We'd be running in some heavy grass to the east first covering some cattail waterways along the way hoping to see some roosters or sharptail on the edges. That reminds me of a famous quote from my friend Bernie Weigel still hard at it in his 70's " The pheasant is an edge bird" he'd remind us as we traveled together listening to A.M. radio on the way to our destinations. Another famous quote was "We can hunt here" as he dropped us off for runs. Sometimes that was true and sometimes it was not! Today Beau and I started our run in a quarter section of a federal waterfowl production area so no worries about trespassing like the old days. Frankly the public access is one of the things that drew me to this country many years ago. As Beau and I move east I can see paths deer have made in the light snow covered grass brushing it off as they made their way. We worked from south to north into the wind heading for the edge of a bean field. Upon approach a full covey of 10 sharptail flush ahead of us from around a small set of bushes on a knoll. A good sign I think as I watch them circle around over the adjacent section of beans. This area holds a good population of sharptail but I hadn't seen them in a while and suspected they were living around the shallow sloughs within these crop fields. Untouchable until harvest.

We continued along the north fence line along this bean field hoping to find birds in the grass on the edge. A hundred yards ahead I then see a few birds flying into the grass from a circular slough in the bean field. Pheasants. Although at this early hour I couldn't identify hen or roosters. As we moved forward Beau picked up scent and began working the grass casting in a circle then heading south a hundred yards towards a line of cattails along a waterway. I followed along in the cold morning air with snow now lightly falling with a few rain drops as well. He disappears from sight and I stand motionless listening for him moving in front of me but I hear nothing. After a few seconds I check my Garmin GPS and Beau's on point just 15 yards to my right. I choose my path in the cattails trying to catch a glimpse of him as I slowly make my way. Nothing. I check my Garmin again. He's just in front of me. I move a little closer. Finally I see his shoulder in between the cattails locked up on this bird! I move ahead steadily and a hen bursts out of the thick cover! Beau then moves turning back behind me and I lose sight of him again. I just continue in that direction knowing he's just got to be slightly ahead of me and there he is pointing into the cattails right on the edge of the waterway. I move in and another bird busts through the cover. This time it's a nice rooster and I fire dropping the bird in the open water of the slough. I walk toward the bird picking it up then go to reload my 20 gauge sxs when another rooster busts from the same cover! I can only watch as I stand there with my gun open but happy to see the sight on this crisp October morning. Beau comes around and we gather ourselves before continuing on to the east end of this run.

We head back north to the edge of the grass and Beau works a hen running in the grass as I watch him work his magic. Always keeping track of where I'm at he circles continuously trying to cut off this bird. Finally the bird gets between Beau and I and busts wild. We then turn south again toward a large pot hole and I see a Robo duck working in the corner. A couple of waterfowler's signal to me and I wave as we then head away. This changes what we were going to do somewhat so I just thought all right Beau we'll just head for the hills!

We worked more shoreline with cattails on the way moving some ducks for the waterfowlers who banged away as they sat on their asses. These guys had parked their vehicle right on the hill behind them in a section line right of way. Then as we were walking back west to where I wanted to head for the hills I looked to the sky seeing a large group of sharptail that had come from the north out of the bean field. I counted 22 birds as they floated into the hills. A very good sign indeed! I hadn't seen sharptail in numbers in this area all season so far. Last year this population when grouped up was as many as 4 to 5 dozen birds at times. But with poor spring hatching weather I was very glad see these numbers.

We walked on excited by what we had just seen. I put the waterfowlers out of my mind knowing no one else would hunt hose hills like we were about to do. Smaller than the foothills in Montana country we've hunted but challenging just the same. As we circled to the point I wanted to enter the hills I saw the duck hunters driving their truck down to the waters edge to pick up their gear. Great I thought we'll skirt the edge of the pot hole to the south and enter the hills from the east end of this 2 square mile pasture these grouse call home. As we walked this edge Beau got birdy along the way working in and out of the cattails then as we approached where the duck hunter's had been just minutes before he went on a straight line along the edge and I knew what this meant. The bird was running ahead of him. Since my back had been bothering me walking on the uneven ground I decided to not run along for the chance of a shot. I walked along as fast as I could and sure enough a rooster busted wild at 40 yards flying over the water. This is the second time in as many weeks this has happened in the same spot. As I watched this bird fly north across the pot hole I named him the "South Side Rooster". We'll dance another day I thought.

Before heading south into the hills I stopped picking up the trash left behind by the duck hunters. Unbelievable. A big potato chip bag, 2 candy wrappers, and a few spent shells. So long fella's don't come back soon I thought. Assholes! Fucking assholes!

But once in the hills we were in another world it seemed like. The big open country. Having seen multiple birds with a nice rooster in the bag I was ready to play a very different game. Pursuing the Prince of the Prairie. The sharptail grouse. Seeing these birds take to the air in the open cover is just spectacular and presents some rewarding but challenging shooting opportunities. That is if you walk far enough! We walked back a mile or so before turning into the wind heading to the west. The plan was to walk in a diagonal line through the hills letting Beau work the hills and bowls hoping for a point. We had gone about a quarter mile when Beau got birdy approaching the crest of a hill. I quickly caught up to him as he slowly worked to the top and froze with his head high looking west. I walked up to him  and surveyed the landscape ahead realizing he was pointing birds at quite a distance. They had to be somewhere on the next hill I thought. Sure enough As I walked ahead in that direction a large group took flight out of range. What an incredible sight! Beau continued into the scent. I was hoping for stragglers as we approached the area a hundred yards ahead of us but there were none. Beau cautiously worked the area over as there was scent everywhere of course.

Up and down the hills we went to the west. I just love watching this dog in these hills. He's big and lanky but hunts with incredible style never wanting to push birds. I trust him and just let him do his job as we cover ground never stopping as we go up and down again and again. Both cautious as we come to the rise of every hill the preferred resting places of these birds who use sight as their primary defense. When I had looked out from where this large group had flushed I realized we didn't have a chance. They were on the tallest hill around watching our every move I realized as we entered their domain. It was an incredible view from my perspective as well. I thought about the respect I have for these birds as I looked at the world from their vantage point. Amazing I thought to myself how they make their life in these places with a climate that can be quite harsh and unforgiving. Yet they've been here for hundreds of years. The objective is to continue on hoping for a situation where Beau's advantage of scent can even the odds over the sight advantage of the birds. Finally as we approach the west end of the pasture another half mile away Beau goes on point again on the top of a ridge. I can't believe I get to see this image of him again so soon but there he is once again like the Crazy Horse monument looking over the landscape. And again pointing at a  distance I can tell with head held high. As I come even to him another covey of a dozen birds takes off from the fence line a hundred yards ahead out of range but a beautiful sight no less and I'm happy for the moment once again. Then as we descend the ridge into a bowl Beau slows and points again. This is it I thought! My chance at a shot. Sure enough as I cautiously continued forward a single flushed at 40 yards falling with a report from my 20 gauge. I stopped and let Beau work into the scent pointing the bird again. I approached as it fluttered up with Beau pinning it with his paw until I picked it up. Adding the bird to our bag I was thrilled to have seen the birds we'd encountered and having that shot made every step worth the walk.

We were now a half mile from the end of the run and made our way to the road through the grass cutting across the quarter section where we started. When we came to the road I thought well this is as good a place as any to spend our day so I decided to skirt along a half section of corn adding another 3 miles or so to our run but it was such a beautiful morning why not I said as I looked at Beau.

On we went with me walking a grassy section line road. Alfalfa to my left and corn on the right. Beau quickly picked up scent along the corn and pointed among some ragweed but the bird had obviously run out. Odds of a good setup were pretty low here but it's these challenging situations given time that are often times productive in the end. This cat and mouse game continued as we turned the corner walking the back of the corn now bordering a pasture with no birds holding. Beau worked in and out of the corn edge keeping sight of me and me him with my Garmin as we walked along. Then 3/4 of the way on the back side he came to point along an open waterway that had been mowed this year. This was short green cover and I truly didn't know what to expect. As I approached Beau 75 feet ahead of me a sharptail flushed to my left 75 yards ahead along the pasture fence. This bird must have been along the corn moments before where Beau had come to point. I watched as the bird flew a short distance into the pasture hills and thought okay lets head that direction. Crossing yet another fence we both headed west into the pasture. About 200 yards in Beau slowed up and stood into the wind in the open. Looking ahead was a shallow depression with a little water and some soft grassy cover. I had thought the sharptail went a little farther but I slowly walked a couple yards ahead and a full covey of screeching Huns took flight flying right to left! I fired missing my first shot but brought down a bird on the second. What a surprise! Beau picked up our bird and I looked at it for a few moments after taking it from him. Beautiful birds. I then added it to our bag now holding 1 rooster 1 sharptail grouse and 1 Hungarian partridge. An unexpected bag to say the least. Then as always Beau circles the area for scent but this time he gets birdy right away to the west going towards the next ridge. In the excitement of the flush I didn't recall seeing or hearing that sharptail take flight so I thought maybe it could still be in the area. I walk ahead following Beau as he climbs the ridge slowing up as he goes. I'm ready for a flush at anytime knowing the ridge tops are the likely spot the sharptail will flush from but he gets to the top and again strikes a beautiful pose for the third time today to the west with head held high into the wind. I look ahead and realize he's once again pointing to the next hill in front of us. I cautiously move downward and ahead hoping the look outs are just over the rise giving me a chance to approach but I'm busted again just out of range as another group of 18 birds this time take flight across the open pasture hills. I watch again as they go by. What an incredible day I thought thankful for what we had seen and the opportunities we had.

We took the waterway that ran between the corn back to the Jeep a mile and a half away now stopping to rest a couple times with my back reminding me I had walked a few miles beyond my limit. This is what it must be like for old bird hunters I thought as I looked at Beau. The sky had cleared and the sun was in my face. Any discomfort I felt now was diminished by what we had just experienced together this beautiful morning of "First Snow".

A Walk With Mick

Mick turned 11 a week ago and in his subtle but persistent way had been trying to get me to let him go to the field every time I'd get ready. He's a proud dog. He was first to the household and claimed me early on along with his spot at my side whether in the house or riding shotgun in the Jeep. Now arthritis makes it difficult for him to get around but his nose works just fine so I walk fence lines with him or the edge of pot holes if the grass isn't to heavy. We stop frequently and he just sits or lays down for a couple minutes looking at me with those big brown eyes. A look that makes me remember all we've been through and done together.He's one of those special dog's that come along once in a lifetime. A natural you might say. A beautiful Setter and affectionate companion. He's the Setter on the cover page of the Blog at age 5. These walks now are what I owe him for having been so lucky to have had him in my life. He has a playful attitude even at this age rolling on his back as we take time out as if to say "There's no hurry R just enjoy the day!" And so we do as we walk along together once again. Just the two of us.

Yesterday I had planned to guide a relative of my neighbor and his 10 year old son on a hunt but at the last minute they cancelled deciding to hunt as a group with a few other people. I was relieved actually as I prefer to hunt solo and value every day in the field with my Setters. So I exhaled somewhat puzzled about the short notice but dismissed my thoughts as an opportunity to have the morning to myself. I had run Beau hard the previous day on a great run and Molly the day before that on an evening "Magic hour" run at the end of the day so I now was conscious of a constant stare coming from Mick as he followed my every move. I laughed to myself that he knew very well that it was his turn! And he was right it was. It was time for he and I to have our run together. Actually I was pretty tired out from the previous day having gone a couple miles beyond my comfort zone so a slow walk with Mick would be perfect to start the day. So I gave Mick the nod and put on his collar as he wagged his tail in approval as the other Setters rallied around him.

I use a step stool now to help the Setters into the Jeep and Mick crawls up with a little help then makes his way to the front seat beside me. His spot forever. I could tell he just loved being there once again as we pulled away. I love it too. "You're my boy" I tell him and he returns the comment with a look that says "You're mine as well". I know I'll always remember and think about that look long after he's gone. We then make our way out of town heading north. I take my fly rod along as well planning to maybe stop at the lake for a while to catch some pike. I thought maybe we'd walk a pasture in that area. But as we rode along a secondary gravel road we drove by a familiar area and I thought about an edge along a pot hole maybe twenty feet wide that would be perfect for Mick. It ran for about a quarter mile and was right across from a section of sunflowers. Looking at this from the road no one would bother to hunt it as it just doesn't look like it would hold birds. But actually I've learned to find these spots with so many hunters competing for places to hunt. And more times than not they do hold birds. The places that don't get pressure. The birds learn it as well. Little pieces of heaven I call them.

 I parked the Jeep at the north end of this long pot hole and let Mick out. It'd be an easy walk for him with water available for him to cool off a great part of hunting in North Dakota. He headed into the road ditch right away thick with heavy grass just surveying the area. Then he turned south and started working the short grass adjacent to the water. Mick's a laid back dog but not to be fooled he's smart and as intense as they come when he finds scent. He won't leave an area if there's birds there and once on point won't move!
 I was really enjoying this unexpected time with Mick on such a beautiful fall morning. There were ducks moving around and geese flying over head as we walked. Mick worked along slowly about 40 feet ahead of me going in and around the edge of the grass when suddenly he turned to the west in short cover and froze! We hadn't been on the ground more than a few minutes about 150 yards from the Jeep. I looked at Mick and said 'Well what have we got Mick". I looked at the grass and then back again at Mick. This was the real deal! So I approached and a  big flush of 6 birds took flight simultaneously! 4 roosters and 2 hens! I picked out a bird and fired bringing down a nice rooster at 10 yards. What a surprise Mick!

Call it what you will, coincidence,luck,or karma, but Mick's magic is what I call it. Take an old dog for a walk and sometimes it just happens. A perfect moment you'll never forget. We continued on for quite a while walking easy cover and laying down in the grass together from time to time. I'd pull the bird out of the bag for Mick to smell along the way giving him a scratch behind the ears. It wasn't long then before Mick couldn't stay in front of me anymore as we headed for the Jeep together ever so slowly. But that was just fine as I had nothing better to do than give this dog my time for having given me so many incredible moments. Another "Walk with Mick" I'll never forget

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Molly's Retirement

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The passing of time catches up with us all eventually and we find ourselves no longer able to do what we used to and so it goes with bird dog's. Molly now has reached those days where she deserves to dream comfortably on the couch of all the birds and times we've had together.                           

She's been a tireless companion in the field exhibiting an exceptional drive and passion for finding birds for 10 year's. It's sad to observe her decline in stamina but at the same time I'm happy to have had so many great moments with her in the field crisscrossing the plains states in pursuit of quail, sharptail grouse,huns, and pheasants.With the most prey drive of my 3 Setter's she played an important role on the team pursuing and retrieving wounded birds. I can recall several long retrieves that just bring tears to my eyes as I look at her now knowing how hard this dog worked for me over the years.

                    I remember the day I picked her from the litter at 8 weeks old. She clamored around my feet with the other pups then headed off on her own. When I put down another pup the breeder had pointed out to me I noticed her off by herself parading around with a chew toy in her mouth independent of the pack. That caught my attention so I watched her as she proudly came around showing off her prize to the other pups. It was a hard decision I had to make after traveling 1100 miles cross country so I decided to sleep on it and come back the next morning. As I laid awake going over the pups in my mind I thought about Molly and my style of hunting. I like to cover ground and this pup would get lots of time in the field so I woke the next morning and headed back to view the litter one more time. As I came into the exercise area the pups were all milling about and my eyes naturally went to Molly again as she was a little larger had a beautiful head and was once again somewhat independent of the pack. The alpha female pup. In that moment my mind was made up. Molly was going home with me. I laugh as I think of that ride home. Molly protested very loudly having been separated from her mates and mother. The only thing that seemed to comfort  her was to lay in my lap as I drove! I soon learned what having an alpha female pup meant as she settled in to the household. She clearly asserted her independence as she surveyed the landscape around the farm. Smart as a whip and birdy right out of the box! Eager to please but again the queen in her was evident from the start.

 I couldn't believe the natural ability she displayed at an early age. In the above photo she was just 3 month's old and pointing quail around the farm. It wasn't long after that and we were shooting birds for her as well. She loved it all but I had to learn how to cope with her stubborn side. While eager to please she had her limits as to what she would tolerate from the older males Mick and Beau a few month's ahead of her and of course me. Obedience training was easy until she exerted her independent side. I quickly just learned that giving her a break and coming back later to the lesson worked with her otherwise there was no way she would give in to any pressure. Consequently house training took much longer than I ever thought it would. When I'm good and ready was her mantra I guess. Of course this meant she spent some time outdoors in the kennel until she was on board with the expectations and routines of the household.
                 
                    So like an old engine that still runs but over heats easily I carefully take her on runs in terrain she can easily handle. I'll do this as long as she wants to go as her reward for years of loyal and dedicated service in the field. At home she stakes out her spot and sleeps away most of the day now raising an eyebrow if I move or reach for my boots. I laugh every time she comes over to lobby when I put my boots on licking my face letting me know she's up for going along. In her younger years whenever the vehicle would stop when we were out in the field she'd be the first dog to start barking in the trailer as if to say "put me in coach!". The males are much more demanding of my attention but Molly just comes to me when she wants too and I give her my undivided attention for as long as she wants. Sometimes she'll lay on my chest for a while on the couch or at my feet while I'm drinking coffee in the morning. If I move to another room the males will follow immediately but Molly waits and then makes a grand entrance letting me know she's there wagging her tail as she comes to me.The picture at the top of the post was just taken a couple days ago. I had picked a beautiful rolling hill pasture to let her run in and as we looped back to the north towards the Jeep Molly came to a perfect point as she cast out ahead of me. Tail straight and right leg lifted with her nose to the wind. As I approached a covey of Huns screeched into the air. I missed the first bird and swung to my left on the second which fell with my shot. What a beautiful moment! I was so happy for Molly to have had that moment once again. So when I look at her now these are the things I think about and remember as we together enjoy the days of "Molly's Retirement".