This morning the gale force winds we have been experiencing all week subsided and I decided it was time for Gunner and myself to go afield and enjoy the morning. Gunner will be 14 in Feburary and I myself just added another year to the ledger.
The crack of dawn had passed for quite a while as it was almost 10am by the time we reached our "Field of Dreams". I know it's late but were old
It was still only 29 degrees and there was still some frost so we were good there.
We wandered aimslely for a while just to get limbered up. I wanted to work towards a patch of woods that is Grousy looking and so we headed across the CRP field. Gunner got birdy (his nose doesn't show any signs of age) and he locked up solid. I kicked the grass and a Rooster ran out but it was apparent he couldn't fly. Gunner couldn't run him down so I stayed put and let him do his thing. Several muinets later he was back on point and as I moved the grass with my foot I saw the bird hunkered down. As I dispatched Gunners bird I thought he was better off to be eaten by me than a Hawk or Coyote. I'm sure he wouldn't have agreed with me but thats life.
As I went through the Grousy woods another rooster flushed wild on the edge of the woods and the field offering no shot opportunity. The Grousy looking woods produced no birds and we headed across the field to another patch of thick cover where there are two ponds. My focus was on Gunner getting a drink of water more than anything. This cover usually hold a Pheasant or two. Gunner got birdy and a Hen flushed ahead of him. I heard something and a rooster was flying hard from left to right about 30 yards away. Two salvos from the 20ga had no effect and flew to freedom.
Working this cover produced another hen. Gunner was rock solid on point and I kicked and kicked the cover to no avail. I assumed this was where the Rooster I had missed came from and told Gunner there was no bird and lets move on. He was insistant and unwavering in his conviction there was a bird here. I moved a fallen limb, tromped the cover to death and nothing. Still he never moved. I have learned to trust his nose and finally a bird ran out hit the bare ground and was airborn. The little 20 was lightening quick which was a good thing as I wasn't at all ready and at the shot he came down and Gunner made the retrieve.
It was now noon and both of us Old Duffers had gotten our birds. It was time to head for the ranch. Gunner slept in the back seat of the truck all the way home. I hope he enjoyed peacefull dreams.
10-31-2010, 08:32 PM
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