Happy dog

Harold Pickens · 11-24-2015, 12:39 PM

Shiner is 14 years old and still going strong--well, at least he is still able to handle a 2-3 hour hunt. I took these 3 grouse over him with my little VHE Parker 20 with 26 1/2 barrels( cut of course) in the UP in October. He will be 15 on Dec 31. Dont know if he will be around for next season, but if he is, he will make the travel squad.

birddogdoc · 11-24-2015, 02:07 PM

Way to go Shiner! Wonderful photo too

Gary Laudermilch · 11-24-2015, 02:19 PM

Good for you and Shiner! My oldest setter will be 15 in January. I'm afraid he has hunted his last birds as his hearing and eyesight are about gone. He is now relegated to being my football game buddy at which he seems content. I know I am.

charlie cleveland · 11-24-2015, 06:25 PM

shiner does not appear to be almost 14 he looks much younger...thanks for the hunt....charlie

Harold Pickens · 11-24-2015, 08:56 PM

Shiner was the product of a grouse trial champion bred to a full blooded Ryman bitch named Aamos. He favored the field trial side. The litter was owned by a friend of mine, who to my knowledge, never shot a bird over a pointing dog, but liked the idea. He begged me to take a pup, and I took Shiner. He was a handful in his early years, and probably would have loved the pararie. He was solid on point, retrieved every thing, and backed naturally. He is still in great shape for his age, but he no longer likes to jog with me. He used to be crazy about running, but now he sits down when I snap the leash on him, and doesn't want to go, so I don't force it.
I am planning on taking all three out tomorrow on pheasants. A good friends sons are home from college and want to go hunting, so I will work the dogs and they will do the shooting.

Mills · 11-25-2015, 09:18 AM

Good looking dog. Gun not too shabby either

Harold Pickens · 11-25-2015, 10:10 AM

Actually, the gun is a bit shabby. It is one of those guns that you could never recoup your investment in if you fixed it up. The barrels have been cut from their original 28", to 26 1/2", but the chokes are now about cyl/cyl--perfect for grouse, woodcock, and quail. T he barrels are somewhat pitted, and have no bluing left. The forearm has a crack that needs fixed, as does the stock. The ejectors are strong, and at 6 lbs it carries easily all day. You dont have to worry about bad weather, or rough terrain with this gun--it has seen it all. It has become one of my favorite grouse guns, despite its flaws.

Mills · 11-25-2015, 10:47 AM

Those can make the best shooters sometimes