White Christmas Hunt -- Anyone Else Partake?
 

My wife and I have a long standing tradition, over 30 years now, of hunting on Christmas Day. We had snow this year for only the 7th time in the last 37 years (according to my shooting log). We "saved" a large covey on a farm close by for the Day's hunt. It was cold, but the winds were down -- unusual for us here in North Missouri. Modern day quail on snow are predictably unpredictable, and act completely different on the snow, often flushing wild and into trees, or holding so tight as singles that the dog gets tired of my fruitless kicking around and reaches in to grab the bird. Christmas day was no different. We found our covey which flushed from our Gordon's point before I could get in range. We followed up, flushing several from trees until we got two really tight holding singles that I took with my new-to-me AH 16 gauge. I only wanted a brace of birds from this covey, so we worked some more singles without shooting and headed home -- a nice, short hunt. I'll probably revisit this covey one more time this season and take no more than two more birds. It's a good size covey, but I want them to be around for the future.

Anyone else hunt Christmas Day? I'd enjoy reading your accounts of the Day.

Those are the best of days...

I didn't have to be anywhere till Noon on Christmas, so I walked a couple of ditches for ducks.

nice picture Jeff

You are right about that. And the fact that they are few and far between makes them all the sweeter.

Jeff,

Thanks for responding. Glad to know that you celebrated the day...and that there is still open water near you.

Didn't have any Christmas plans til around 5:00pm, wife suggested I go hunting. Snow turnrd to freezing rain, back to snow with sub 20 temps and high winds. Everything was ice covered except main roads, so I didnt make it out. Glad that you did, and wonderful pictures.

I passed on duck hunting today. We have a high of 7 today. The ditches are freezing fast.
Retrieving a down duck could be rather dangerous!

X Mass is a travel day for me to my wife's family for dinner which is usually served in the early afternoon.

I love to get out and hunt pheasants in the snow but it won't be happening much if at all this year. Daisy is just hanging on and every day she is with me I count as a blessing. We are fortunate she has no pain but came close to going to the vet last week.

Today it was -10 with the wind so Daisy and I hunted in Africa and watched some old westerns on TV. All things considered it was a good day.

How about some pics of that 16???

We had open water on Saturday, and I saw geese and ducks on the farm pond where we were hunting. No bismuth handy, so we turned back to quail. By Sunday the water was frozen. Only the big water is still open. Our high today, like yours, Jeff, was in the single digits. We have four out of the next 7 days forecast for single digit highs, so we'll pick and choose our hunts carefully.

Be careful on that new ice!

That Parker looked like a duck-taker. What's its configuration? What were you shooting in it? Just curious to know.

It is my go to duck gun for jump shooting ditches. A 1 1/2 frame 12 ga vh with 30" barrels choked mod and full.
I hunt with others, but mostly with it. It got me the double bands at the end of the first season.

Rich, Although I don't know you, or your Daisy, I feel for you at the stage you're at with your girl. You have her with you, and I'm sure she knows just how you feel about her. There is no bond like that between a hunter and his dog. I hope you have comfortable hunting in Africa with your girl. Count your past days with her as treasures.

Crazy Daisy and I have had some wonderful hunts together. Today we almost finished Hunting the African Rhino published by Amwell Press and re released by Safari Press. Tomorrow we start Reminiscences of an Elephant Hunter by W.D.M. Bell. Sadly I fear I'll finish that one alone.

I have a Quail hunt set for the end of January in south Georgia. It will be good to get out of the cold and snow for a few days and get a Parker or two into the field again.

Rich - I echo Garry's comments. There is nothing like the bond forged between a man and his dog when you spend all those days afield together. I lost my Lab two years ago, and we still miss her terribly.

May Daisy rest comfortably, and may you reflect on your hunts together with her head on your lap.....

Dave

Rich,

Enjoy your Bell reading, and your Crazy Daisy while you have her. I hope your Georgia hunt brings you gentle weather that allows you time to linger so you can remember past hunts.

Garry

Daisy and I won't get a chance to finish our Rhino hunt. She took a turn for the worse last night. She sat in my lap in the recliner the whole night, neither one of us slept. She went home this am. I'll put a tribute to her on the Man's Best Friend forum.:crying::crying:

Rich,

I'm so sorry to learn of Daisy's passing. I've always managed to hold our dogs as they pass -- far too many of them. Somehow, I think it comforts them and makes our connection even stronger. I'm glad she was with you and in your lap. Grieve for her, but in honor of the bond you had and the good times you shared. Smiles of memory will come at some point in the future, and telling "Daisy stories" will be a comfort for many years to come.

Every hunter on the site feels for you I'm sure. Know that you and Daisy are in our thoughts.

Garry

I'm giving my Daisy an extra hug this AM.

The reason it's so hard to lose a dog is because it was so good for so long.

Rich

Sorry to read of Daisy passing. Lucky is a dog to have shared your love, most precious time and passion.

i too feel the passing of your best friend......charlie

I remember well the first time I met Daisy. I knocked on the door of Rich's cabin and when I opened the door, Daisy jumped up and her nose was against mine, looking me directly in the eye. She was a good hunter and we took a few grouse and woodcock over her and Betty that day. I did not realize that she was in bad shape, other than just old age. I have grave concerns over whether Betty will be around for next season and think I will go out to the garage and pet her for a while. I think we should have a toast to old dogs and old friends when next we meet.

Daisy
 

Rich I finished the thread and feel so sad for you losing your Pal. Miss Dessa puts her paw on your shoulder through me and says goodbye to her and Happy Hunting. Your friend David