Lost

[Rich Anderson]

Henry was enjoying the best day of Grouse hunting he could remember. Rudy his 11yr old German Shorthair was on his game pointing and retreiving more Grouse than Henry could remember to count. The game bag had a comfortable feel in the small of his back what with the three birds in it.

It was late afternoon and Henry thought,enough is enough, "we have three wonderfull birds and have enjoyed the splendors of the wilderness" Rudy "lets head for the truck".

In late October afternoon can quickly turn to night especially on a cold cloudy day such as this one. Henry took a GPS reading to his pickup which told him it was 6.8 miles away in a Southwest direction. This wasn't of a big concern as he had a direction and a compass so the duo pressed on. The afternoon was gobbled up by darkness faster than realized as the man and his dog pushed through a big popple stand. He thought that if he went through this cut it would take him to the logging road and to the truck...piece of cake. After an hour of pushing popple Henry came to realize he was lost. Not just on the back forty or a one mile section of land surrounded on four sides by roads no he was lost in a National Forrest with thousands of acers.

With each step and every branch that slapped him in the face or tripped him up the knot in his stomach grew, fear gave into panic and unrational decisions followed. Am I going in the wrong direction, I need to go back the other way, no one will find me and Rudy and we will die here were thoughts that raced through his mind. He sat on a log and collected himself and gained some composure and thought of how he got to where he was.

The main county road ran north and south, he turned west on the Meredith Grade Rd and drove for several miles then headed north on Wilson Truck Trail to the big Aspen cut on the west side down a logging road about two miles. He was north of the Yellow Dog River and South of Gold Mine Lake. The fact that he had narrowed down his location to a couple of hundred acres helped to calm his nerves and if worse came to worse he had the Grouse to cook and thanks to the lighter in his pocket the ability to make a fire for both warmth and food. He though "I'm glad I didn't give up smoking", these woods might kill me but ciggaretts won't.

Rudy walked at heel not from a command or training it was due to fatigue and hunger. It was a long time ago that he and Henry shared a cold sandwhich and an Apple. Rudy's last dog treat was several hours ago and was washed down with the last of the water. With the light from the GPS they headed southwest and with each step,stumble and trip were hopefully getting closer to their truck. After what seemed like an eternity they stumbled onto a logging trail, hope soared as now there was some easy walking. It was also time for a decision in which way to go. This gave Henry some cause for concern and he had to think about this for a while. He made a decision and moved forward and after a short distance came to a two track logging road and it was time for another decision. Was this the logging road he and Rudy walked down so many hours befor or was this just one of many that ran along and through the Aspen cut? His GPS still said southwest so they went in that general direction the best they could.

In the still of the night he heard things that were foreign to him, the night sounds of the woods it turned out wern't so peacefull afterall. The mournfull cry of a Wolf pierced the night air just to let him know he wasn't alone. There were familiar sounds as well, the tinkle of Rudy's bell, the rumble in both of their stomachs, the hoot of an Owl. It was during a rest stop to reassure Rudy and himself that they would be ok and the truck wasn't far away and there was a cool drink and food waiting for them that he heard what sounded like a motor. Was this possible? Who would be driving out here at 9pm? It's a trick of the mind he told himself and preceded down the road. Then he heard it again this time lights shined on the trees as a pick up rounded the corner and came towards them.

The truck pulled up alongside them and a bearded man asked "you lost eh?". Henry was so tired and thankfull to be actually talking to a living person in this wilderness that he could only mutter "yes sir". "Is that your truck with the dog box in it parked off the side of the road"? Once again the reply was a simple "yes sir". Well your truck is three miles away the Yooper said but you might as well hop in cause there is a Beaver dam between here and there.

The light of the cab revealed a worn 30-30 and a spot light. It didn't take a genius to know what the Yooper was doing out there but Henry didn't say anything, he was rescued and so was Rudy. "would you like a beer"? asked Henry's savior and once again the reply was a simple "yes sir" and a big "thank you".

[George Lander]

Great story Rich. Now give us the next chapter

Best Regards, George

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Great story, wish there were more to the tale, found myself in Henrys shoes, for a minute, Gary

[Rich Anderson]

Chapter two...just because

After about 45 muinetes and two beers the taillights of Henry's Ford gleamened in the reflection of his saviors headlights. He offered his new friend a beer and they shared another on the tailgate of Henry's truck but not untill Rudy had a good drink and some food, afterwards he curled up on Henry's coat in the front seat and fell asleep to dream of points past and future.

Henry got the lay of the land from the Yooper. Seems he missed the trail on his way out and that was the begining of his troubles. The indiscriminate two track made a big circle around the cut which was several miles in diameter and Henry would have walked in circles had he followed that. The beaver dam also would have caused some trauma as well as it cuts off a part of the road as the beaver had flooded it out this spring. The yooper told him of the location of an older cut near where he had parked and drew him a crude map of the area. Seems there is some Multi Flora Rose and Autum olive growing there and the birds flock to the Autum Olive like a crack head to Cocaine.

It was crowding 11pm when the two bid farwell on a dark two track in the middle of nowhere, the seasoned woodsman and the rookie two unlikely companions but both hunters and both heading for the comfort of camp.
Henry took a couple of minetes and put some heat into his truck as the frost was taking hold of the country and he once again gave a silent thank you to both the Yooper and to God for sending him to Henry. It would have been a cold night in the woods or at the least a much longer walk.

Henry rid himself of the three beers befor climbing into his cab and Rudy just let out a moan of contentment. He was happy to have a full belly and warm place to curl up and sleep the sleep only a bird dog can. As he bounced ever so slowly along the two track his headlights caught a nice buck standing in the road not moving. It was a Deer in the headlights moment and the big buck was magnificent in the beam of light. As the buck bounded away Henry was glad he saw him and not the Yooper as the buck would make a worthy wilderness trophy should some lucky deer hunter venture this far back into the woods in a few weeks.

[Bruce Day]

Yes, sometimes the trees get a little thick, but just step around them to see a road or a farmhouse.

[Gerald McPherson]

Bruce; Thats not trees thats bushes. Gerald

[Steve Kleist]

Thanks Rich.
Great story. We have all been there.....and by the great description, I'll bet you have too!
Your friend, Steve Kleist Ely, MN

[Bruce Day]

This is why I carry a compass. I can usually keep the windmill at right in sight, but if I get below the level of the hill, I may need the compass to keep on course. Or walk up the hill.

Heavy grouse cover:

[charlie cleveland]

we need a third chapter to this storey..the first two were great...charlie

[John Taddeo]

A game warden and a D.U.I gotta come in chapter three...Great story Rich..

[todd allen]

I can relate to the above story, though you're not really lost until you let fear in. If you can stay calm, and keep your wits, you are just temporarily misplaced. Been there, done that a few times.
I remember a duck hunt in central Nevada one year quietly walking a little creek, dead of winter, over-cast, windy, with little skiffs of snow hitting on and off. Alone, except for my beloved little chocolate lab, Mabel. With a couple of birds in the bag, the weather turned on me, and a snow storm set in. I figured it was time to call it a day, and head back to camp. A fairly long walk, if I followed the creek, or I could take a short-cut across a meadow. As soon as I was out of sight of the creek, the weather cranked it up another notch or two. Now I'm in a total white out. My tracks were disappearing right before my eyes, eliminating any evidence that I was ever there. Every where I looked, 360 degrees, the view was identical. No landmarks, no tracks, nothing. I couldn't tell North from South, by visual. I retrieved the little compass from my kit, and figured a direction, and went for it. Keeping as straight a line as possible, it seemed like forever, but finally I stumbled onto Cherry Creek. I turned left, and walked the couple miles back to camp. Camp was a borrowed 1970's, or early 80's Ford C Class motor home camper. My hunting partners, Mike and Elise were sitting at the table sipping Crown Royal, with the heater on, dinner warming on the cook-top.
I would never take for granted a little walk in the field, with a little weather at my back.

[calvin humburg]

Bruce's pictures great, trees are over rated!!! You don't need trees to get lost there are stories of settlers getting lost hunting there dug out in the sea of grass.

A line from a great movie. I've never been lost but i've been fearsome confused for 3 months.

[charlie cleveland]

my first time to hear that line it was a good one... charlie

[Leighton Stallones]

I know how HEnry felt. I was lost on an Elk Hunt in New Mexico several years ago in the Kit Carson Natl Forest.
I had a compass and a map of the area. I thought I knew where I was ,but I looked at my compass and did not believe it. However, about that time a truck came by and I was found and sent in the right direction.

[Leighton Stallones]

I know how HEnry felt. I was lost on an Elk Hunt in New Mexico several years ago in the Kit Carson Natl Forest.
I had a compass and a map of the area. I thought I knew where I was ,but I looked at my compass and did not believe it. However, about that time a truck came by and I was found and sent in the right direction.

[Rich Anderson]

When the GPS was fairly new a friend and I went Elk hunting in Colorado. Wendell was undaunted with his "new" devise and therefore fearsome in his travels. I used a compass and even some red survey tape to mark where I went up the mountain. We were to meet at the truck at dusk. At zero dark thirty he still hadn't showed up. A rancher found him walking down what Wendell thought was a paved road but in reality was the ranch road of some private property. He was only a mile from the truck but it took 30 min to drive the distance, seems there were a couple of ravines between him and the truck.

Being lost or even just turned around is no fun.

[Rick Losey]

A line from a great movie. I've never been lost but i've been fearsome confused for 3 months.

That is a slight variation of a quote originally contributed to Daniel Boone

[John Taddeo]

I believe the quote is from Brian Keith to Charlton Heston in the movie "Mountain Men "

[Paul Plager]

Thanks Rich. I enjoyed the story. I am awaiting the next few chapters.
I am slightly jealous of you people with story telling gifts.

[Rich Anderson]

Chapter three

Henry and Rudy slept late the next day and were greeted to a hard frost which still blanketed the ground at 10am. As bacon sizzled in the cast iron frying pan Henry redied his gear. He made an extra sandwhich, packed an additional couple of apples and two extra bottles of water which all went into the Little Playmate cooler. In his hunting coat he added spare batteries for his GPS and a Mini Mag flashlight. He had no intent on hunting till dark today but then he hadn't planned on the previous nights excursion either.

Rudy was a little stiff this morning so Henry added a little bacon grease to his food and an asprin to ease the ach's and pains, in fact he helped himself to a little Motrin with his morning coffee as well. Over breakfast he looked at the map he was given the night befor and thought about the cover the Yooper had told him about.

Grouse hunting was more than the killing of a bird for Henry, it was exploration into the unknown (to him) wilderness, it was getting off the beaten path and seeing and experienceing things that the road hunters and killer's miss like the nice buck the night befor or watching an industrious Beaver go about his daily chores.

With the GPS location of his truck marked from the night befor Henry loaded his gun and Rudy into the truck to search for the "Autum Olive Cover" as he now called it. This time he took the VH 20 as it was a few ounces lighter than the GHE 16 which was on a #1 frame that he used yesterday and after yesterday a few ounces was afterall ounces saved.

Henry parked in the same spot as the day befor but headed in a different direction. He went primarly north and hunted along the edge of the Aspen cut following the map. Rudy was bouncing along the best an 11 year old dog can and had made a point or two but the birds flushed wild and Henry had only glimpsed one and had no shots at either bird but still rated it as success.

The morning faded into early afternoon and they stopped for a drink and a bite to eat under a huge Maple tree that was still exhibiting all it's fall splendor. Against a background of varying shades of grey and browns the Maple was a beacon of colour, reluctant to give into the grip of the oncoming winter. The old tree stood proud as it had for probably 100 years or more defient in the face of winter to shed it's fall bounty of red leaves.

After their snack and a rest they hunted along a creek that fed another creek that emptied into the beaver dam. This was marked on the map so Henry knew he was getting close to where he wanted to be. It wasn't long befor he realized he couldn't hear Rudy's bell and for a brief moment fear struck him hard in the gut...where did Rudy go? Then just as quickly he realized he was on point, they had reached The Autum Olive cover. Henry circled around in front of Rudy the VH at the ready. The Grouse exploaded from an Evergreen tree and flew right at Henry and he ducked as the bird almost knocked his hat off! He turned quickly to shoot at the rapidly dissappearing bird but his shot was way off the mark. At the report of the gun another bird flushed and flew to safty.

The patch of Autum Olives ran along a hillside and looked to be about three hundred yards long and at the most 20 yards wide. With the wind in their face they proceded to hunt this cover exclusively. Rudy made several points but these birds acted as if they had been hunted befor even though there was no evidence of anyone being there. Henry spotted some feathers and a blood stain along a log with a small piece of gut hanging off a stick. Another hunter had indeed discovered this Grouse paradise, perhaps a hawk or an owl had hunted this place earlier today.

They hunted the rest of the cover and took one bird and as it was now 3:30 and the air was cooling with the promise of another cold night Henry and Rudy headed for the truck. His GPS said 7 miles as the crow flies to the truck, water, food for Rudy and a sandwhich for himself were waiting for them. With the night befor still very fresh in his mind Henry chose discretion over time and turned around and followed the same route they had taken back to the truck. He did however mark The Autum Olive cover as a waypoint in his GPS so he could find it again next year.

[charlie cleveland]

henry and rudy surely have one more good hunt in them..there enjoying the hunt and i am too... charlie

[Rich Anderson]

Thanks Charlie I'm glad you have enjoyed my little tale of Henry and Rudy but I think there season has ended....for now.

[Daryl Corona]

Suffering from writers block?:eek:

[Rich Anderson]

No, but it can only go so far......can't it??

[Robert Rambler]

Rich, I don't know how far it can go,
but I sure hope it makes it into the Parker Pages! :)

[Dean Romig]

Articles and stories submitted for publication in Parker Pages are accepted in Microsoft Word or handwritten and mailed to the editor if the contributor does not have a PC.

I've seen a lot of Rich's stories here on the forum and just wish he'd email some of them to me written in Microsoft Word. I know he has a PC.

[Rich Anderson]

I don't know how to do that Dean. I have seen things pulled from the forum and put into PP.

[Dean Romig]

Not by the current editor. Sorry.


A short lesson on sending a Microsoft Word document:

Click on the icon at the very lower left of your screen and a menu of options pops up...

Click on "All Programs" and scroll down to Microsoft Office and click on it...

One of those Microsoft Office programs will be Microsoft Word - click on it...

When Microsoft Word opens up just start typing your article or story...

When you want to quit for a while or when you have finished the article, simply click on the X at the top right of the page...

A window will appear asking if you want to save changes, etc. and you will click Yes...

If or when you want to continue writing the article simply open "Documents" from the same very first menu you looked at and find your article... double click to open it up and continue with it, remembering how you saved it the first time.

To email a document simply go into your email program and select an email addressee to send it to and begin the email but before you send it you must click on the 'attachment' icon and you will be given a choice of where to find the document you wish to attach...

Open your "Documents" file and find your article and double click on it... You have now attached it to your email and you can "Send" your email with the article attached. A good idea when sending an attachment is to copy 'cc' the email to yourself just to see how your selected addressee will receive it.

It doesn't take much practice at all and if you think you can't remember all of this just print this page and keep it by your PC as a handy reference.

Best to all,
Dean

It seems confusing but it is about one of the simplest things to do on your PC.

[Eric Eis]

Dean you just made it too complicated, tell him to cut and paste it and send it to you in an email. Computers and COB are kind of like tools, they just don't get along.....:rolleyes:

[Rich Anderson]

cut and paste:eek: I was held back in second grade:banghead:

[Eric Eis]

See I told you Dean........:rotf:

[Dean Romig]

That wasn't meant especially for C.O.B. but for anyone who may have doubts about how to create and submit articles and stories.

C.O.B. and I have just shared a couple of PM's and I explained the philosophy of not publishing material that has already appeared elsewhere, even if it was on our own forum.

Parker Pages publishes only fresh new material and in order to remain the position of the preeminent shotgun collectors journal that it is, this philosophy must remain as a cornerstone to the PGCA's journal.

Occasionally we will run some short 'cuts' from the forum under "Forum Excerpts" as filler material when sufficient contributions are not forthcoming, but not entire articles and stories.

Best, Dean

[Rich Anderson]

It was just getting dusk as Henry pulled into the drive of the cabin. It was the first week in October and as he unpacked the truck and let the dog out for a run he took in his familiar surroundings he paused for moment to relish in the fact that he was back in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan hunting Grouse and Woodcock.

After the gear was sorted for the morning hunt he sat back with a refreshment and relived the past year. In some ways it was a blur and in others it dragged on for eternity. Winter was a bitch there was just no way around it, it plain sucked. Spring seemed to last a weekend and summer was gone just as fast and here we were back in the glory month of October and it to would only last but a brief moment in time.

The year had brought some changes for Henry, the biggest being Rudy's health. His arthritis was worse and on more than one occasion he required a boost onto the couch. There was a new fatty tumor on his belly and even though the vet disregarded it Henry felt it was a sign of bigger things to come. A cataract was eating away the vision in Rudy's left eye as well. Rudy was now 12 and Henry hoped for some additional time in the field even if it was on a limited basis but he recognized the writing on the wall and the need for another dog. This proposed addition met with great resistance from Alice Henry's wife of 30 years. There was to be no new puppy period end of story. There was new carpet throughout the house and a puppy meant accidents, then there was the chewing, the training, puppy food in addition to Rudy's food and then there was Rudy himself. how would he react to an upstart pup?
The debate raged on for weeks but it was like the two sides of Congress, nothing was getting accomplished. Promises were made to no avail it was a deadlock and Henry finally gave up the quest for a pup.

It was mid April and Henry was tying some trout flies using the Grouse feathers from the season before when the phone rang. It was Bill on the phone who was the breeder he had gotten Rudy from. Henry had contacted him about a pup but as that wasn't going to happen it had slipped from his mind. Seems Bill had a client with a 18month old GSP named Gus he had hoped to use in Field Trials but Gus wasn't cutting the mustard but he would make a great hunting dog. He was broke to the gun, knew the basics commands, had been introduced to birds and he was house trained. This revelation started a new debate with Alice and this time Henry was victorious on the one condition that Gus and Rudy would get along. Henry wrote a check for $500 from the family account and sent it to Bill, the other $1500 was a postal money order, no need to rock the boat over money.

Gus arrived with a bundle of enthusiasm and he and Rudy got along ok. Gus had a vacuum cavity for a nose and could cover ground in the blink of an eye. Henry worked him on pigeons over the summer and into early fall he switched to Quail. Gus was steady to wing but not to shot and was somewhat hard headed. The E-collar usually got his attention and he would get back to business. They hunted some preserve Pheasant with good success but Henry knew this ain't Grouse hunting. Hence the early October time frame for the U.P. hunt where he hoped to work Gus on some Woodcock. Henry didn't usually hunt them as he favored Grouse but the Little Russet Feller would provide good training opportunities for Gus.

Another change in henry's equipment was a little Grade 2 16ga hammergun. It was in pretty good shape for being 130 years old had a ball grip and 26 inch damascuss barrels. It was fairly open choked and Henry had shot some skeet and sporting clays with it and had wondered what it would be like to hunt with the hammergun. Perhaps it was a nostalgia thing a step back to more simple times.

After a hearty breakfast he and Gus headed for the covert the Yooper had told him about last year. It was just Henry and Gus this time as Henry was more focused on a training trip and as he left the house a bark from Rudy put a tear in his eye. Henry took the hammergun also as he wanted to try it out. Gus pointed some birds and as Henry closed the cocked hammergun he noticed the shells had fallen out somewhere along the path. He tried to cock the hammers when the bird flushed but that wasn't working very well either and he finally settled on cocking them when he walked in on point. The day progressed fairly well with seven Woodcock pointed and two Grouse. The hammergun proved to be a bit of a challenge but Henry got his first bird with it a Woodcock that spiraled through the golden aspen under Gus's point.

Henry had brought some maps and was looking for new spots to try when he found a section of state land that had a small creek through it. there was a hardwood ridge that followed the creek with turned out to be a feeder creek to the Yellow Dog River. The map showed some low ground that should be good for Woodcock and a 15 year old Aspen cut was also nearby.

The two hunters had a great day with one Grouse and two Woodcock in the bag rom their new found covert and as the sun changed places with the moon they were slowly walking back to the truck when Hell broke loose. A deer burst from cover along the edge of the road and in a instant Gus was in hot pursuit. Henry hit the E-collar to no avail as Gus ran through the pain and disappeared. Henry called and blew his whistle until he was horse and with darkness closing in he was once again in a familiar predicament. He left his coat on the ground and a few dog treats and made his way to the truck. With each step he cursed himself for not having Gus on a leash, there was no more hunting for the day he should have been on a leash. At the truck Henry drove back to where he left the coat hoping that in the 30 odd minuets it took him Gus would be back but it was just wishful thinking as Gus wasn't there. He left a bowl of water for him in case he returned.

Back at the cabin Henry's mind went through all sorts of non productive scenarios. Gus would have to deal with Coyotes and then there were the Wolves, what chance did he have against his canine relatives? With each passing hour the knot grew like a cancer in Henry's stomach. He couldn't eat and even the copious amounts of Jack Daniels didn't help. What would he tell Alice if he came home without Gus? She had grown very fond of him. As it always does darkness gave way to a new dawn and Henry was out at first light. He drove directly to where he left the coat but Gus wasn't there. It didn't appear that he made it back there at all. He called and called and called, he blew his whistle and prayed to God that Gus was safe and they would be reunited. Henry visited several camps in his travel's but no one had seen a dog running the woods. Gus's collar had Henry's name and cell phone number so maybe someone will call.

At dawn of day three Henry once again set out on the search for Gus with the same results as the previous two days. He walked the woods in the direction Gus had gone in ever widening circles but no sign was to be found of Gus. It was if he vanished into thin air. It was late afternoon as he headed towards the truck his shoulders slumped, his heart heavy as he shuffled down the two track his own personal trail of despair. He headed for the cabin and as he turned onto the paved highway his phone showed a voice mail. Probably Alice he thought checking up on how the hunt was going. What would he tell her? Then he noticed it was a 906 prefix, a U.P. number. He slammed on the brakes and pulled over and with trembling hands listened to the message. "you da guy wit lost da dog eh"? If so call me at this number. henry quickly called and confirmed he had indeed lost a dog. He wrote down the directions and broke the speed limit getting to the Yooper's house.

He offered the Yooper a reward but it was declined. Henry passed the Tall Pines store and stopped and bought a Styrofoam cooler, a case of Old Style and some ice. As he drove up the drive a gentleman who looked to be in his mid 60's was sitting on the porch of an old farm house that hadn't seen a coat of paint in a very long time. Beside him curled up in a ball was Gus sound asleep without a care in the world. When Henry got out of the car Gus woke up and ran to him and jumped into his arms and gave his face a good washing. Once again a reward was offered and declined. The Yooper said he used to hunt birds and had lost a dog a time or two himself for awhile and knew the feeling. Henry asked him if he still hunted and the reply was no he had a bad hip, the result of a war injury. Henry did the math and figured he was a Viet Nam vet. those guys are long on guts but short on conversation. Henry loaded Gus into the truck and returned to the porch with the cooler. The Yooper's eyes lit up a little at the thought of a cold beer and they shared a few and swapped some hunting stories.

As Henry headed back to his cabin the thought about all the generosity the Yoopers had showed him over the last couple of years and smiled.

[Dean Romig]

A nice story Rich.

[charlie cleveland]

thought old gus was a goner for sure..good ending...charlie

[John Taddeo]

Well done Rich, I remember that feeling.... I had a dog range out over a ridge and became separated from me one morning, when I went looking for him I came up on a posted piece of land and a gentleman came out from an outbuilding to let me know I was not welcome there and to move on with haste.. with my gun broken open in the crook of my arm I made an attempt to explain my predicament and he seemed to have nothing of it.. I had finally made the decision whether this yahoo liked it or not I was not leaving without my dog and we can deal with what happens later when I caught the faint ding of a bell (in the opposite direction of where my new friend stood his ground). I don't think a cooler of beer was going to quite cut it that October day.... Posted signs, Pennsylvania's new state flower..

[George Lander]

Well done Rich, I remember that feeling.... I had a dog range out over a ridge and became separated from me one morning, when I went looking for him I came up on a posted piece of land and a gentleman came out from an outbuilding to let me know I was not welcome there and to move on with haste.. with my gun broken open in the crook of my arm I made an attempt to explain my predicament and he seemed to have nothing of it.. I had finally made the decision whether this yahoo liked it or not I was not leaving without my dog and we can deal with what happens later when I caught the faint ding of a bell (in the opposite direction of where my new friend stood his ground). I don't think a cooler of beer was going to quite cut it that October day.... Posted signs, Pennsylvania's new state flower..


Well John, did you get your dog back or did you have to shoot the gentleman ?

Best Regards, George

[John Taddeo]

Not to cut in on Rich's great thread and ongoing story but yes I got the hard running stub tail and actually had a pretty good day after.. Its amazing to me how within a short period of time how much land can become posted (land with great cover).. but at times I really do understand why it happens. Keep the story coming Rich, very enjoyable....

[calvin humburg]

I've been fearsom confused for a couple months, but I've never been lost.

[Frank Srebro]

Rich a great story and with a theme that most of us understand. Thanks.

Frank

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Good reading, Rich. Yeah, I have hunted the plains of the Yelow Dog River, way up there above Marquette, and I too, have bought beer at the Tall Pines.
Several years ago, I was hunting a cover out past where you and I ended up on our last hunt of the day last year. I had killed a couple of birds over Betty, when I started to hear alot of shouting. Three guys were looking for a lost orange belton setter. The owner was from Florida. I got their cell phone number just in case. 3 days later, I was back out in the same area when I faintly heard a bell, and then an orange setter came running toward me. It stopped and was shaking like a leaf, and wouldnt come in despite my offering it some dog bisquets. My heart sank as the dog ran back into the woods and out of hearing. Back at the truck, I drove until I could get cell service, called the number, and met the gentleman along the backroad. I tried to tell him how to get to the area, but I knew he wasnt sure where he was going, so i took him back down into the area, and to make a long story short, there was one happy man and dog.
Keep writing Rich. After you retire we will expect monthly installments.

[Dean Romig]

Now there's a heartwarming story with a happy ending. Thanks Harold.

[Paul Plager]

Thanks Rich. It's always a pleasure to read your work.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Catching up on reading the forum. This is an enjoyable thread. Are Henry and Alice known by any other names or must it be Henry and Alice to protect the innocent? Great stories Rich. Cheers, Jack

[Rich Anderson]

Henry and Alice are just Henry and Alice no secret identity although Alice does remind me of my wife Audrey in that she (Audrey) is dead set against getting another dog. We are down to two and Willie is 14 and Crazy Daisy is 8. Daisy IS the alpha dog and doesn't play well with others and Audrey is fearful of her and another dog. We keep her and Willie separated at all times. Daisy and Tara had gotten into a couple a scrapes in the past and that scared Audrey to no end.

[Jack Cronkhite]

So would a guy be ok to join Henry on an October day in the UP or would he be better off with the author?

[Rich Anderson]

You might want to stick with the author, Henry sure does have more than his share of trauma while Grouse hunting. Heaven forbid he takes up wilderness deer or elk hunting:eek:

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Sounds to me, that Henry is living life to the fullest, and in time , he himself will be the old Yopper, Gary

[Rich Anderson]

Maybe I'll have him buy a small place up there....hmm food for thought.

[Daryl Corona]

I hear Channing is wonderful that time of the year.:)

[Rich Anderson]

Channing is a wonderful place any time of the year.:)

[Rich Anderson]

Although it's late August October is right around the corner and Henry is very busy. It's been a year of ups and downs for Henry. Just after Christmas Rudy got very sick, he wouldn't eat and could barley walk. On a trip outside to do his "business" he collapsed in mid stream literally. Henry knew it was time to give Rudy that last loving thing he could do for his friend and called the vet. It took all Henry could do not to break down at the vets as he watched the life ebb from his friend. Even though it was the right thing to do it was the hardest thing Henry had ever done in his life. He had brought Rudy's blanket with him so Rudy would have a familiar smell for his last journey and when it was over he wrapped his friend in it and took him home one last time.

In the spring Henry was doing some trout fishing using the flies he tied from the Grouse feathers from the pervious fall. He found he was going north every chance he could and on one of his fishing trips he noticed a worn reality sign for a cabin. He called the relator but that wasn't the place he was looking for but it got the ball rolling.

Initially Henry was looking for something out of the way on a gravel road with maybe a few acres to call his own. He looked at a lot of places but they were either to expensive or to run down. Sometimes things happen for a reason and quite by accident while passing through a small town on his way to fish he saw a for sale sign and investigated. It was a small two bedroom on three city lots with woods on two sides. It wasn't the woodsey atmosphere he desired but it had potential enough. It was well built but needed some work but certainly affordable. After some negotiations the deal was struck. It amazed Henry that everyone knew his name. There was a gun club nearby which he joined as he had become fond of doing some clay target shooting and became known as the guy who bought "Vicki's house". Now Henry has a camp and though it's a ways from his prior Grouse coverts it's not insurmountable distance wise.

The "camp" purchase led to other necessities such as a new GPS with a map feature as new hunting venues need to be located and stored. Gus got a new collar as well with a beeper feature as well as corrective. Gus is a lot more hard headed than Rudy ever was. The best is a new to Henry GH Damascus 20 gauge that he padded the loan for. It's got 26 inch open choked barrels and a straight stock,a Grouse getter for sure with some RST 2 1/2 #8's.

It will be a bittersweet fall this year without Rudy to enjoy the new camp and explore new coverts and Gus is still a young upstart but he's coming along fast and in the end Rudy will always be with them.

[Eric Eis]

Funny that story sounds really close to home to someone that I know.....