Thinking About Quail Hunting

[Bruce Day]

It’s gray and cloudy today looking out the window.

In a couple weeks, I’ll meet with Parker friends and we will be hunting wild quail out on the plains. I think we’ll see 5-10 coveys per day of 10-20 birds each. My big regret is that my friend Charlie Herzog can no longer come and walk the prairies.

I have a 9 month old Elhew pointer who is doing well on every facet of bird dogging that I think is important. He has style and grace in the field and is competent. We are working on hand signals ; I don’t care for a lot of yelling and whistles in the field.

I have a new to me G 20 coming from Josh but I think I will take along this gun just because I like it and do not use it much. It’s a 16/ 28 “ , I know of maybe 4-5 of them left. I think it’s all original , the folks who know more than me think so too. Matt Hanson fitted a case for it , what a fine craftsman he is.

It’s been a good bird season so far , another quail trip in January , then a winter week of trout on the Green River, then ice out and up toward northern Ontario .

We’ll have a display at Pheasant Fest in Sioux Falls first weekend in March, maybe 50 Parkers on show. Come on and meet friends.

[Alfred Greeson]

Great to hear from one of the Parker legend members. Glad you are doing well. 41 yr. Army MSG Al Greeson.

[Dan Steingraber]

Beautiful Pointer pup, beautiful Parker 16 and 5-10 coveys a day sounds like Nirvana to me. I've got a 3 year old Elhew female and a 4 year old English Setter female that are becoming pretty good bird dogs. Enjoy and please share some pictures of your hunt. I'm hoping to make Kansas or Oklahoma in January for quail.

[Bruce Day]

Great to hear from one of the Parker legend members. Glad you are doing well. 41 yr. Army MSG Al Greeson.

Thanks for your service Al. I’m a retired Yankee Air Pirate . The services take care of their own. I’m having some internal health issues and the military is taking care of me.

[Reggie Bishop]

Bruce it is always enjoyable seeing your posts! I look forward to hearing about and seeing your quail hunting adventures. Take care my friend. And that pointer pup sure is a handsome thing!

[ED J, MORGAN]

Thanks for the pictures and post , Bruce . Nice to hear from you. count on me for Pheasant Fest . Regards , Ed

[Bruce Day]

Thanks Reggie. You are the best !

Here is a little 20 ga that Reggie sold me years ago .

[Garry L Gordon]

Bruce, best of luck to you on your health issues. Following a bird dog won't cure everything, but it can help your spirit.

From your photos and accounts, I'll bet I know some of the things you're thankful for this Thanksgiving. I'm thankful I finally got to meet you and Joe. I hope we can catch up again in SD.

I'll be thinking of your 5+ covey days as I hope for one or two close to home. Anyway you find them, wild Bobs are special.

Take care, be safe, and post photos when you can.

[Bruce Day]

Thanks Gary. Here are a few photos from the vicinity of Jack the Horse Road. Bare October days. I like the way the north woods smell after a little rain . Here’s Joe .
Striker after his first grouse. He had not seen one or smelled one before but something just clicked and he was quite interested. The bird flushed , I shot and he spent the remainder looking for more. He liked it.

[Garry L Gordon]

Bruce, you are so right about the smell of the Northwoods after a rain. Almost as good as a wet dog after a retrieve. I hope it's okay I turned your photos.

[Bruce Day]

Oops ! I posted a photo of Striker with his first grouse but it turned out to be a pheasant. Here’s what I was trying to post. There is a difference.

[Alfred Greeson]

Bruce, thanks for your pilot days and I hope all is well soon for you. I recently came up with a bad diagnosis and the V A is taking excellent care as always. They quickly hustled me to the U T cancer center and they are working hard for me. They say attitude is everything and nothing helps the spirit like seeing pics of great guns, dogs and days afield. Keep enjoying and sending great pics. Al.

[Stan Hillis]

Great pics, Bruce. Best wishes!

Anyway you find them, wild Bobs are special.

They are that, indeed.