Purdy Good Day

[Dean Weber]

Thus far this year I have had some really good days afield with friends. Yesterday was a Purdy good day as well. In addition to blooding a gun for the first time (Purdy 16ga), I was able to get out with my constant companion Oz and a good friend, Charelton.

Charlie is 83 years young. He is a skeet shooting mentor and an avid hunter. Charlie and I did 5 miles of walking with 2 spirited labs. We killed 2 limits of birds and had a wonderful talk to and from the hunting area. He has become one of my favorite conversationalists. Originally from upstate New York, his wife and him moved to SD 25 years ago to retire. However, I don't think he has retired at all considering his cowboying and contractor activities.

It started out as a 20 degree day with ice/sleet/fog with a wind. The pheasants were especially active in ditches and feeding areas throughout the day. We even flushed a nice covey of Prairie Chickens, which we are not allowed to take on this particular land (landowner's rules).

I was very pleased to get Oz out with Ellie/Charlie. Week prior, Oz hit a stick/pole or something while hunting deep grass and tore a nice hole in his chest. So, notwithstanding my wife's urging to NOT take Oz hunting, I couldn't leave him. Tried a chest protector which he hated but it kept him intact during this hunt. No harm done and another 5 flushes and retrieves for the tally.

BTW, the gun is 1920's with 28" Whitworth steel barrels weighing 6 pounds 5 oz. A delightful bird gun to carry and now has it's first harvest, at least with me.

Merry Christmas to the PGCA gang!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Dean Weber

Thus far this year I have had some really good days afield with friends. Yesterday was a Purdy good day as well. In addition to blooding a gun for the first time (Purdy 16ga), I was able to get out with my constant companion Oz and a good friend, Charelton.

Charlie is 83 years young. He is a skeet shooting mentor and an avid hunter. Charlie and I did 5 miles of walking with 2 spirited labs. We killed 2 limits of birds and had a wonderful talk to and from the hunting area. He has become one of my favorite conversationalists. Originally from upstate New York, his wife and him moved to SD 25 years ago to retire. However, I don't think he has retired at all considering his cowboying and contractor activities.

It started out as a 20 degree day with ice/sleet/fog with a wind. The pheasants were especially active in ditches and feeding areas throughout the day. We even flushed a nice covey of Prairie Chickens, which we are not allowed to take on this particular land (landowner's rules).

I was very pleased to get Oz out with Ellie/Charlie. Week prior, Oz hit a stick/pole or something while hunting deep grass and tore a nice hole in his chest. So, notwithstanding my wife's urging to NOT take Oz hunting, I couldn't leave him. Tried a chest protector which he hated but it kept him intact during this hunt. No harm done and another 5 flushes and retrieves for the tally.

BTW, the gun is 1920's with 28" Whitworth steel barrels weighing 6 pounds 5 oz. A delightful bird gun to carry and now has it's first harvest, at least with me.

Merry Christmas to the PGCA gang!

Take good care of Oz! And remember, I get first crack at that little 16.

[Dean Weber]

You bet, Garry. On both accounts. Give Elaine a Christmas hug for me!

[Reggie B]

What a gun! Purdy fantastic!

[Double Lab]

You are lucky man Dean. I hunted quail and doves with a 94 year old WW2 veteran for 30 some years who was aboard a minesweeper, clearing the beaches at Normandy the night of the 5th. I sure miss him and my dad. I wish I could hunt SD for more than 5 days in Oct but doing the drive there alone twice in one season is brutal.
Thanks for the pics.

[Dean Weber]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

You are lucky man Dean. I hunted quail and doves with a 94 year old WW2 veteran for 30 some years who was aboard a minesweeper, clearing the beaches at Normandy the night of the 5th. I sure miss him and my dad. I wish I could hunt SD for more than 5 days in Oct but doing the drive there alone twice in one season is brutal.
Thanks for the pics.

Daryl,
I agree, I am blessed to have Charlie’s experiences shared along with the hunt. The common intersections of our lives create a parallel which likely would not have been discovered had it not been for our mutual connection to hunting, hunting dogs and gun sports. Great communities to belong to!

[Ken Hill]

Dean,

What a great hunt and nice looking Purdey. My wife keeps telling me no more dogs after our young Red Setter who’ll be 5 in Feb. She thinks I’ll be too old to get another dog. I keep telling her we’ll see I hunt elk with a guy who’s 81. You're hunting with a guy who’s 83. I’m only 66.

Ken

[Harold Pickens]

Dean, keep SD snow free for me for a while longer. Ill be up there Jan 16-25.

[ArtS]

Dean

Nice Purdy except for the stock. You really need to upgrade it. Send me the old one when you do.

[Dean Weber]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

Dean, keep SD snow free for me for a while longer. Ill be up there Jan 16-25.

Will do, Harold. Stop by if you get a chance!