Well – I’m finally getting caught up, so I figured I’d post “this and that” about the South Dakota trip. Please bear with me, as much of my memory is fogged due to severe sleep deprivation in addition to the “newbie hazing” that is part of all hunts in the West (or so I am told – but, what do I know – I’m from the East?)…
For example, I arrived in Sioux Falls at “0”dark thirty on November 10. On the morning of the 11th – Charlie H. and Bruce D. call my cell phone demanding to know where I am – as they are waiting for me in Sioux City?? Where in the world Sioux City is, I have no idea - except to know I’m not in that “Sioux”… Panic sets in – did I fly into the wrong airport, city, state or country?
Yea – that’s sort of what I mean by the “hazing” – which continued throughout the trip (I would also mention that I had to cook in the mornings and wash the dishes in the evening – but, I was told that’s the “new guys” job as well, so I’m not complaining…)…
A couple of notes…
The country in South Dakota is absolutely stunning and the locals are wonderful. The Fezzants, as well – are the size of 747’s and make almost as much noise when they lift off the ground. The hunting can not be described, as there are flocks of fezzants everywhere… For that experience and those memories – thank you….
OK – on to the pics…
This is what I mean by beautiful country. I took these near sunset on the last day…
Also, there are historical markers dotting the country side. For example, I was told by Bruce (who lived near this monument at some time in his life, as Bruce has lived everyone at any one time) – that this is the last buffalo shot by the Lakota Sioux in 1898 – and has been attached to this fence post ever since:
Now – about the hunt… Next we have Bruce, Spencer, Charlie, “Doc” and Randy getting ready to release the hounds. During this walk, I was told to stand guard by the trucks to ensure they weren’t vandalized, so I didn’t get to hunt much that morning?
Later that day – I was allowed to hunt, but ended up taking some pics. This area, next to the old farm, is a pheasant “hotspot”. Spencer (in the foreground) was walking so fast, his hat got backwards – and in the background is Phil (Doc’s son-in-law) and Ron (more about Ron later…):
This is a typical “one day” harvest. Now – Bruce will probably tell you he shot all of those birds himself, but – he didn’t… I think there are 20+ birds in that picture, and even Bruce’s pup Triple contributed to the take with some wonderful points:
This is a picture of what I was first told was to be my “sleeping quarters”. However, there was a hole in the roof made by some crazy bird hunter, so I got to sleep elsewhere:
And on to some more serious pictures….
This is a picture of Shea – Charlie’s 7 or 8 month old pup – who POINTED and HELD the rooster you see in the foreground. I took it with Bruce’s 20GA DHE with 24” barrels (yes – I said 24” 20GA) and Charlie’s dog fetched it right back to hand. There are two comments… I love that little 20GA and shot with it for two full days. It just handled for me and while I’d pick my shots, never failed to bring them down - hard.. As well – both Charlie’s and Bruce’s pups were outstanding and a pleasure to watch & shoot over…
Some of the other comments… It was a wonderful pleasure to hunt alongside Ron from Tasmania, who is an incredible shot – and has a wonderful sense of humor. He’s a true “gentlemen” in the keenest sense of the word.
As well – Doc (James Van Blaricum) is a fellow “brother”, as he has raised and trained Brits for years, as I have. He, as well – is a true “gentleman”, and I was privileged to hunted alongside him. (However, he did tell me I wasn’t “anything” like he expected me to be..? I’m taking that as a “complement” – I think??
)
Pete Kappas…. He came along with 3 of his dogs for two days… His eight year old pointer “Jess” and I hunted a couple of stretches as “partners”. That pup of yours Pete, is wonderful. I wish I had a picture of her to share with all of you. Simply a wonderfully trained pup and hunting companion…
As well, I had the pleasure of meeting Greg Dershem for the first time. We gave Greg the high corn rows to walk, so he could spot the birds for us “smaller stature” guys… Seemed to work out OK for all of us:
Now – about Bruce…. Bruce tried for the entire trip to acclimate me to “Tactical Pheasant Hunting Air Force Style”… There were even “battle maps” and briefings in the morning. There were field commands like “we are going to go south by southwest, flank turn to a northern sweep to a east by west direction, then pivot and make a pincer movement to….” Well – you get the idea.. I’m from the East – so you fella’s from the West JUST NEED TO POINT WHERE THE HECK you want us to go, as there is no moss growing on the north of a tree trunk out there, so I can tell where NORTH is out there???…
Anyway – Bruce finally gave up on me – pointed – and I walked and hit some birds. In a way – you could say “Bruce got his pie – and got to eat it, too”:
In a lot of ways – there are a lot of memories from that trip – all of them terrific… Just a simple bunch of guys getting together to share some good times and make new memories.. Like taking Spencer out and teaching him how we hunt in N.H. without dogs – and he bags his first two Roosters of the trip with some pretty excellent hunting & shooting skills. Like having Ron blessed by a Priest… Like hunting with Charlie and his pups Shea and Abby… Like Pete and his pup Jess – and the smiles both brought (as well as the “Grain Beer” or something
)… Like sleepless nights listening to harmonized snoring…. Like beautiful days on the plains… Like listening to the Pheasant Roosters call in the evening…
Yea – it was sort of like that….
And sort of like this.. The last bird of the trip (taken with an outstanding shot by Bruce). It was a wonderful ending to an excellent hunt. And in many ways - it's fitting that Bruce should have the last shot and bird of that hunt. Frankly - without Bruce - we wouldn't have even been there.. Thanks, Bruce!
And this - sorry it is indeed an "ego" shot, in deference to those Bruce posted of me which might, indeed - even scare the heck out of my wife if she saw them:
Thanks for reading…
John