Special Day in the Coverts of northern NH
 

I much prefer hunting the uplands with friends rather than alone. But this week other family and work duties have called my 4 buddies home and for a few days my pups and I have the camp and coverts to ourselves. Today was special. I decided to follow a run of alders up a sweet stream. It was mid 40’s, the air was damp with a slight come and go breeze. The outdoors was as quiet as can be. The only noise was dog collar bells, sniffing and snorting sounds of our 2 Griffs as they worked the leaf covered muddy stream bottoms. And the bird dogs and bird Gods graced us with many points.
Quite unfortunately I left my bird vest back at camp. It has my ammo, spare layers of clothing and safety gear (compass, first aid for dogs, headlamp ect.) So I pulled out an old green worsted wool hunting coat that at least had a small game pocket and 2 shell pockets and we made do. I happened to have 11 rounds of RST 20 ga in the truck. Off we went. The pictures tell the rest. What a special day with pups “Arcas” and “Fish.” And yes, all 11 RST’s were put to use- some hit, some didn’t. Such a lucky and special day.

Very nice.

Great post, Chris. Every hunter should have some solo hunts with his own dogs. You’re never really alone when you have dogs to hunt with.

Sounds like one of those wonderful days afield that makes us what we are. The hope of such days springs eternal in us and when realized, provide a range of emotions impossible to describe to the uninitiated. Congratulations!

Don't know what I'd do without my setter in the field

I love the spent shells in your post. SXS Ohio

Thanks for posting your hunt! Growing up without siblings in rural SE Tennessee most of my days afield were solo (aside from my dogs). I roamed the fields and the woods for hours and never thought any different about it. Dad hunted on the weekends and we often hunted with relatives but I have a lot of special memories of solo hunts.

Beautiful description of your day and situation. Likely, most of us have been in that predicament with leaving some gear at home or the camp. Fortunately, you had just enough on hand to make the day perfect. I could almost smell the cover!

Glad to hear that you had a good hunt in spite of getting some bad shells. I am sure that several of us have had some bad shells from various makers.

Good thing you didn't leave your Parker back at camp. Nice gun is that a VH 20, cant enlarge it enough to tell. I enjoy hunting with good friends, but also greatly enjoy hunting by myself.
Leaving tomorrow for a 3 week grouse hunting trip, usually go for 2 weeks, hope I can hold up for 3.