Thanksgiving and the Pheasant on the Hill
 

During the last couple weeks I was able to pheasant hunt a certain area not to far from the homestead. A section of this area as you head in, has a hill and on the crest of this hill is a stonewall that runs across acres of farmland on one side and the thickest of natures barbwire that you have ever seen in your life on the other. Sheer hell! At the bottom of the hill it clears to a path then swamp. On my first excursion into this area I saw this big beautiful pheasant at the crest of this hill jump over the stone wall into this mass of thorns. Well, being the dedicated hunter that I am, I decided to go into these "hell of thorns" after him. After a few minutes the dog was yelping and it was clear this area is not penetratable. In all my years of hunting I have never encountered thorns so thick and sharp. We pulled back and went on with the hunt without any success. A few days later, another trip into the area. Again, heading into the field in the same area where we seen that pheasant. Suddenly, Benny is on the scent. He leads me up to the stone wall were it is just so thick. This big beautiful pheasant flushes up and into a thick set of cedars were I just catch a glimpse of him (no shot). (I just want to point out that the cedars grow along the stone wall). He only flies about 30 yards, glides to the right and lands into this mass of thorn bushes. Again we head in only to be turned back. Another pheasant free day. Now, the afternoon before Thanksgiving in the same area, I am heading out of the woods, this time I am at the bottom of the hill on the pathway between the thorns and swamp. Suddenly we hear a male pheasant cackling. It is coming from the top of the hill as if the pheasant is taunting us. Benny is beside himself. We find an area through the thorns that is somewhat passable and start making our way up the hill. Just as I am ready to crest the hill the pheasant flushes in the opposite direction on the field side (no shot). I cannot see him, do to the cedars that line the wall, so I make quick time just in time to poke my head over the wall and see him heading into the thorns. OK, it finally occurs to me this is the same pheasant using the same route to escape. I decide to dedicate this years "Thanksgiving hunt" to tracking down this "rogue" pheasant and putting and end to his tactics. I wonder how many hunters have endured his mockery?
THE HUNT
Thanksgiving, Benny and I are up before sunset having breakfast and going over our plan of attack for, "Phil" the pheasant. The weather outside was in the low thirties. I put on my usual, brush pants and this time, I put on a nice thick flannel shirt and sweatshirt as well as my muck boots for added protection. As for Benny, I put on his canvas fluorescent hunting chest protector for our entry into the "thorns of hell". When we arrived the sun had already come up. My plan of attack was simple. I was going to come at "Phil" in the direction that he likes to make his escape and throw him off guard, so I parked down the road a bit and came at him in the opposite direction. After a few more sips of hot coffee we headed in. I loaded a 7 1/2 shot in the right barrel and a #6 in the left, both Spread-R loads. As we walked in the woods I noticed the frost had made everything a glistening white. It was beautiful. The air was cool as it entered your nose and lungs. When you took a breath, it made you feel alive. The leaves were crunching under my feet. I can see Benny's breath as he scans for any signs of "Phil". I could feel the cold steel of my Parker through my thin gloves. This is how I remember hunting as a child. The last few years the weather has been up in the 50's and 60's. Yet people say there is no such thing as global warming, but that is another subject. As we made our way to "Phil’s" territory, I decided it was time to get off the path, make our way up the hill and into the area of thorns were he likes to hang out. In this direction the field is on my right, so we are walking on the thorn side with the stone wall dividing the field. Benny and I headed into this "natural barbwire" with caution. It was slow going. Benny was going threw almost on his belly. I had thorns clawing at my shirt, hands and face. The muck boots added much protection. At certain times, I could not even move. It was very frustrating. This has got to be the worst growth I have ever endured. We poked threw this for a good hour. Finally, I see Benny hesitate for a moment and then go into his routine. He is on the scent! He leads me to this huge mass of thorn growth. We are surrounded by it. Now, we are facing the wall with the field on the other side. I watch as Benny cleverly lays on his belly and wiggles his way under the thorns. I knew he was on to him. Suddenly, I hear a cackle and the slapping of wings. I see this big beautiful rooster taking flight. I immediately lift the Parker and put the bead on him and at the same time click the safety off. Of course "Phil", set in his routine starts heading to the right, towards the area he likes to escape to, but I am ready for him. The ivory bead is right on him, I squeeze the front trigger and a load of 7 1/2 shot starts screaming down the barrel, as it leaves the bore, a loud "Bang" breaks the silence of the morning. I see a puff of feathers and "Phil" comes crashing to the ground! I got him! Now, we cannot reach were he fell. It is all thorns. Even in death "Phil" is proving to be an adversary. I unload my Parker and place it down. Benny is trying to reach where "Phil" is resting. He cannot get to him to retrieve him. He was only a few feet away and I was having trouble. Finally, I am able to slide my arm through the thorns and reach him. As I lift him out I notice he is a heavy bird. He has beautiful colors, and nice long tail feathers. Just a beautiful, "thick" ring neck pheasant. OK, it's over and I just want to go home. We start down the hill towards the path, thorns tearing at me. Benny goes his way and I am trying to find my own way down. It is like a silent agreement that we split up and we will find our way through this hell and meet at the bottom were the pathway is. On my way down growth wraps around one of my legs and down I go landing on a huge flat rock on both knees. Pain shot through both legs. Of course my Parker never touched the ground. Finally, I reach the bottom and Benny is there with his nose to the ground and in a zig zag pattern. Yes, he is on the scent. I cannot believe it. At this point I just want out. I reload my double and within seconds a hen flushes and I am able to drop her with one shot. After retrieving the hen we make for the truck. Battered, and exhausted we head home. This limits me out for the 2011 Pheasant Season and what a hunt it was. Benny and I are home now tending our wounds. I am amazed at the damage to my clothing caused by the thorns. Threads are hanging everywhere. Both knees are bruised and cut. Benny is all cut up as well as his nose. We do this for fun?? If I did not experience it, I never would have believed it. We will be back at it next year. Enclosed you will find photos of "Phil".

Wonderful Story Bill! I was right there with you and Benny. Geez and I thought only Maine had stuff that thick...Come to think of it I found some pretty nastie stuff in Vermont this year. You couldn't have raised the gun if you wanted to.....:rolleyes:

Bill: I really liked your story and it just shows like life you have to just stick to it and you will come out,somtimes bruised and battered,on top.I love your dog Benny. I had a dog just like him when I was a kid but thats a story for another day. Thomas

twas a gooda hunt as ive heard lately..probably want sleep thinking about phil the bird from hell...boy he was a whopper of a phez was nt he...them kinda briars gotta be from hell... charlie

Dave, I never thought there was area's around here like that myself. My first encounter and I hope my last. Good to know others have shared the pain of natures thorns..:crying:

Thomas, I look forward to your story about your dog.:corn:

William ,That was a great story and wonderful pictures ! Did you happen to decide to have this Beautiful Trophy mounted ? I imagine with most of the guys on the forum being hunters ,most probably ,have one hunt or particular Game Bird that stands out in their mind . I have a similar tale but not with the thorns involved ! In our corner of Pa. in the mountainous areas we have huge rocks that jut out and make some very unique hunting situations ,in the Laurel Mountain area where I hunt for Ole Ruff ,it is very steep in places and very Rocky ! One morning ,Maggie and I were hunting a steep hillside with Mountain Laurel and a few Beech Nut trees ,as we came upon this huge boulder ,she went above and of course I took the easier route and went below as I came around the corner of the Huge Rock ,lo and behold she locked up above me and Mr Ruff blast out of the Laurel and nearly took my hat off ! I couldn't believe what I had just seen ,it was a Silver Phase Grouse ,the first and only I had ever seen as they usually don't live this far south ,and all I had to show for it was two smoking barrels ! Well over the next few weeks Maggie and I played this scenario out three more times with the Silver Grouse ! Then I got to thinking ,I can't hit him coming dead into my face like a bullet ,I will get him going by ,well the next hunt ,again I made sure Maggie was higher than the Huge Rock and I hurried to the lower edge and just waited ,I could hear Maggies bell tinkling above me and she was coming down on what I figured was the other side of the rock as soon as she hit the far side ,I heard the thunder of wings and here came the Silver Grouse about twenty five to thirty yards out ,flying from my right to my left and just as the Bead passed him ,I touched the trigger on my little 20 Ga. Browning Sporter Side by Side and all I saw was a huge puff of feathers and " Ole Silver " falling to earth ! Man what a beautiful Bird , I had planned too well and hit him with those 7 1/2's dead center ,I had my heart set on having him mounted but it was not possible ,I mounted his Fan to remember him by ,just like in your story a great feeling of accomplishment to connect but also sadness in knowing he was gone ! With that ,enough for that day ,I loaded Maggie and drove home !

What a great story William! I had a grouse like that Russ! I was down in this bad boys cover 4 times, alone 3 time and with a friend once. Kicked that bird up each time and never got it. Trigg and I finally took his GSP Dodger there with a plan. We pushed the bird to the upper corner of the cover and trigg got him when he blasted out with his gorgeous and rare 24" PHE 16. The bird was the biggest ruffie I've seen outside of my back yard, a magnificent specimen that we should have had mounted out of pure respect; he was a survivor. I actually regretted shooting him after seeing what a bird he was. Would have rather left him to keep breeding. It sure was an excellent hunt though. I haven't seen another bird in that cover since.

Bill: I would love to hear about your dog a little more.Were did you get Benny from and Is there a differance between English springers and just springers. Benny seems to have a very pronounced head and some dogs seem to have smaller heads or is that just the differance between male and female. Thomas

All AKC Springers are registered as "English Springer Spaniels". The is, however a big difference between show-bred dogs asnd field-bred dogs. Benny appears to be a field bred dog. . Field bred dogs typically do not have the big, pendulous ears, are often smaller, will have had their tails docked longer than the typical stubby show dog's tail. Often the show dogs coats are longer (Worse for burrs!) and may have their entire back covered with a black or liver "blanket". Field dog appearance is not as standardized as the show dogs.
In the field, there in no comparison. The typical field bred dog will be a more agressive bird finder, faster and will hunt harder than the average show dog.

Russ as we speak "Phil" is chilling. As soon as I got him that was the first thing I thought about was a wall mount. Don't think that will happen again! Glad to hear I had the chance to experience a hunt very close to yours and Maggies. It is one that will stay in my memory for some time. It was really something else. Kinda funny when you think about it. Grown men tryin to out smart a chicken, but I can say one thing, I will be right back at it next year. It is in our blood. That is what brings guys like us together and to this forum. A good gun, a good dog, friends and a great place to hunt.

Thanks Richard, Looks like Russ is correct. I guess we all have our little encounters while hunting. That is what makes it so great. I believe it was you and I last year talking about the Melanistic Pheasant. Still waiting to get that one back from the Taxidermist. Should be anytime. I will send you a photo when I get it. Would love to get the chance to take another poke at a few grouse. I have to try to find a location in my area that still has them. When I was younger they were everywhere. Now, Thanks to the turkeys I have not seen one in years...

Sent you a P.M.

William ,I am pleased you are going to have that old Bird mounted ! Don't do as I did ,I had a Big Long Tailed Rooster mounted once and made a lamp out of an old three rail Grayed up Fence Post ,sawed the post in half ran a piece of copper pipe through it glued it back together then mounted it on a three foot by three foot pedestal ,I had the Taxidermost moss up the base we put a small piece of rusty Barbed wire fencing on it ,I bought a beautiful Lamp shade " EXPENSIVE " and topped it all off with an acorn with a threaded insert to hold the shade on . THEN we mounted that Gorgeous Pheasant to the base ,MAN what a sight to behold !! WELL ,Maggie thought so too and every time she passed by it in my Game Room it about drove her crazy ,WELL ,we went away for the evening and when we got home ,Maggie was no where to be found ,I went into the Game Room and there was the old Rooster with all of his " FINERY ripped off of him with the exception of one tail feather ! WE finally found Maggie under my Daughters Bed with a sheepish grin on her face . I knew she knew better but she just couldn't seem to help herself ! Not much to do at that point ,soooooo we just drug her out from under the bed ,I forgave her for being so bad ,she forgave me for being so stupid and life went on !!!

Russ, I am sittin here picturing this whole scenerio and laughing my a** off...Sorry but......:rolleyes:

Dave ,I just wish I had pictures ,it was unbelievable ,the only thing left was a white plastic Pheasant form ,mutilated and One Tail Feather sticking out its Butt !

A dog alone with a mount at nose level was not a good combination for me either. Dad did my first Canada goose in a feeding position. A mount like that looks right when on the floor. One day, I came home to a sheepish dog and goose feathers and down everywhere. The body was string wrapped excelsior (wood fibers) in the days before plastic forms. I was left with a web footed "straw" goose. I think Kay was secretly pleased to not have that goose gracing the living room floor any longer.

Cheers,
Jack

A friend of mine was storing the swag for a Trout Unlimited banquet, and came home to find that his young GSP had gotten into a brand new Metz #1 neck, and had turned a $50 item into a feather duster

boys im hurtin rite now...only thing i can add is my boss man some years back gave me a english bulldog puppy.. painted front of my house came in next evening and bulldog bout chewed front of house off...i wasnt to happy needless to say...one week later jumped in my wifes then new ford focus and it would not crank..checked the firing and it would not fire..so off i go to parts place spent a hundred on a coil pack.. put it on a guess what still would not crank...friend came up and asked what i was doing told him what was giing on..we lookes a little more and discussed a little more all of a sudden he starts laughing he said look like your bulldog likes wiring too...that rascal had tore all the wires up on that car from the bottom side...3 hours later she cranked up...well i didnot what todo with this wire chewing paint hater dog...2 days later my problem was solved the bulldog pup always run with my other dogs they got after a rabbit and believe me or not that little bulldog ran so hard and got so hot that he had a heart attack...thats why my boss man gave him too me vet said he had a heart problem so my wife and grand children were very grief striken over the little bulldog pup...but me i could never seem to be able to shed one tear...... charlie