Still Birdless

[Brush Buster]

Well ,we have had one of the nicest snows this past week a Grouse hunter could ask for ,and in previous years ,this is one of my best spots when we get a good deep snow ,it seems to bring the birds off the top of the mountain and out of the laurels we have so much of in this part of Pa.. The birds come down from their ground feeding and feast on the berries and enjoy the heavy cover of these dense greenbriar , they are a hunters night mare to get through and after two days of this stuff ,and haven't moved a bird yet I am thinking I should stay home and to what my old partner does ,well we will try again tomorrow on a different area ,maybe we will have a little better luck !I woke her with the flash ,I think I aggravated her a little !

[Autumn Daze]

Russ,Better luck tomorrow. My my... she's a pretty little girl !

[Brush Buster]

Thanks Dave ; She sure is part of the family ,I'll tell you when people claim you can't have a good hunting dog and a good family pet ,out of the same dog ,I am here to tell you that is nothing but " bunk " ,Old Maggie here is fourteen years old and has had literally hundreds of birds shot over her and has spent every night in our or our daughters bed ,since she has been house broke ,she doesn't get up on the beds anymore unless we are watching her ,she can't get down by herself without falling .

[C.O.B.]

Russ in our house your Maggie is exemplified by Gunner,Tara, Willie and Daisy. I had to buy another chair so I would have a place to sit to watch TV

I have hunted excellent looking cover all year long without much success. This is my year of "Hunting" not shooting.

[TARNATION !!!]

Originally Posted by Russ Jackson

I'll tell you when people claim you can't have a good hunting dog and a good family pet ,out of the same dog ,I am here to tell you that is nothing but " bunk ".

Bunk - with a capital B !! I look at it that there are 365 days/year and if I'm really lucky 15 or so are hunting days. So, over the course of a dogs life (approx 4000 days) there may be a couple hundred hunting days, so what to do with all the rest of the time?? All our dogs have been pets first. Some have been great hunters, some not so great but forgiven and enjoyed for who they are. Here's a couple shots of a departed good friend and good hunter who also had his share of forgiveness in the field. That I look at as giving me the chance to be out a little longer- no point in getting a limit too early in the day.
Cheers,
Jack

"TAZ" enjoying the hunt


"TAZ" enjoying Mom's chair

[Brush Buster]

Rich; I have two more also ,my only regret is they started out kennel dogs and I never house broke them ,they live a good enough life I suppose ,nice concrete floor ,insulated homes etc. but it is just not the same and I don't think you ever bond with them as well . My Grouse hunting has been poor for many seasons ,and there are days I really have to push myself to " go for a walk " Always good exercise ,but what I wouldn't give for even one day a year ,like it was just about every day thirty or so years ago !!!!!!!!!

[Ben Yarian]

Russ, I am in western Pa, hunt a little east of me. What part of Pa are you in?

Ben

[Brush Buster]

Ben; Check your PM's . Russ

[Mike Poindexter]

Russ, Is it just me, or does Maggie in the second photo bear an uncanny resemblance to Jack Benny in his classic pose? Beautiful girl.

[Dean Romig]

Well!