Parkers in Alaska

[Richard Flanders]

Went down early to Anchorage last Saturday for a mining convention where I presented a paper the following week so Trigg, his brother Mark and I could help his new preserve out with their problem of having too many birds left for this time of year. We spent all day putting out 40 chukars and letting his cocker and GSP hunt them up. It was all we could do to take care of that many birds before the sun set. I used a 26" VH12 that I had not ever shot yet. Trigg had a Piotti 28ga, a Ferlib 20ga, and an incredible 6# 30" side lock Geiger with a horn trigger guard and butt plate. Mark brought his $200 church sale VH12 with a dbl pinned stock head and a very nice D grade 12ga so Parkers were well represented. Trigg had brought home 40 chukars from their tower shoot on Saturday so I got all the birds - thanks guys... I think. Took me parts of 2 days to get them cleaned and into the freezer. What a project. I feathered up my hosts garage pretty good. Now I have 15# of very expensive chukar filets in the freezer! That should do me for a while. I forgot the camera so no pics unfortunately. It was a long day of 10 deg temps but big fun nonetheless. Friday night I joined Trigg and the Anchorage RGS board crew for a game feast that featured salmon, cod, venison and some grilled bacon-wrapped woodcock breasts that were to die for... all washed down with some great wines. I had to come home while I was still able to buckle my belt... Great week.