Blooding a New Gun

mobirdhunter · 12-13-2025, 04:15 PM

To blood a new gun one needs: a. the gun, b. a place to hunt with the gun (which, obviously, holds birds) and, c. dogs willing to "point the way."

All of those ingredients came to together this past week on a couple of hunts as I took my new CSMC Fox out in our North Missouri covers. We had a wide range of weather and cover, and two pups more than willing to help their old man on his mission to blood his new gun.

The gun is a DE Special (thanks, Josh!) that I know was made for quail (it even says so on the gun

). This little 20 gauge is a delight to carry and sports a covey of quail in its engraving. I went 4 for 5 over several hunts, including a double (with only one shot). I'm blessed to have places to use such a gun, and equally blessed to have my wife and pups along to share the experience.

Photos:

1. Eight year old Aspen pointed this single (look hard to see it trying to escape us to the left) from a large covey that flushed wild. Unfortunately, Aspen tore his a back leg knee meniscus on this hunt and will be out for some time. As a guy who counts his days and feels lucky to have a few ahead after losing so many to cancer treatment, and knowing how short a dog's life is, this is a very worrisome situation.

2. The first outing with a new gun is special, and to take a bird even more so.

3&4. I don't try for doubles anymore, but if a second bird wants to be included in the shot, so be it. I seldom take more than two birds on a hunt, but doubling with one shot is a nice way to end a hunt.

5. Hunts are made even more special by the setting. Elaine and I could not believe the beauty of the sky on this brisk day. The dogs became impatient with our constant stopping to admire the sky. Missouri may not be "Big Sky" country, but it suits us just fine.

Craig Larter · 12-13-2025, 05:43 PM

Garry glad to see your well enough to hunt! Who engraved your Fox? Who made your hunting coat? I hate strap vests because my gun get hung up on the shoulder strap. I pray your pup will make a strong recovery hopefully she didn't blow out her cranial cruciate ligament. Beautiful pictures. So many places to explore and so little time. So many beautiful guns to shoot and so rare are the opportunities. I need one full life as a duck hunter and a second as a upland hunter---would'nt that be nice LOL! Great to see you posting again after a short absence.

J. A. EARLY · 12-13-2025, 09:38 PM

Garry,

Great photos and a one of a kind beautiful gun. Being from the Old Dominion, you must remember the days when we could not hunt quail in the snow, and one was never sure if a ticket was going to be issued when we ventured out with a "little" snow left in places?

Rick Roemer · 12-13-2025, 10:06 PM

Very nice pictures. That sky looks plenty Big!

Phil Yearout · 12-13-2025, 10:11 PM

Poetry, my friend.

Chris Pope · 12-14-2025, 10:11 AM

So sorry to hear about Aspen, whose misfortune will turn into Rill's good fortune as Rill takes over the "starting role." These canine athelete members of our family can break our hearts when hurt.
The hunt with that beautiful quail gun looked phenomenal. Love photo 1 and 3. Kudos to the staff photographer!

Double Lab · 12-14-2025, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Harlow

Garry,

Great photos and a one of a kind beautiful gun. Being from the Old Dominion, you must remember the days when we could not hunt quail in the snow, and one was never sure if a ticket was going to be issued when we ventured out with a "little" snow left in places?

Beautiful Fox Gary and as always great pics.

Jerry... What is the reference to hunting in the snow about??

Stan Hillis · 12-14-2025, 02:10 PM

Every bit of that is just over the top. Scenery, gun, photography . . . . just excellent.

Ken Hill · 12-14-2025, 03:12 PM

Garry,

Nice to see you out and about! Elaine takes some great pictures.

Ken

Rick Roemer · 12-14-2025, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

Beautiful Fox Gary and as always great pics.

Jerry... What is the reference to hunting in the snow about??

Certain states used to not allow quail hunting if there was snow on the ground. Not sure if any states still have this rule.

I believe the impetus of this was that quail are more susceptible to cold and rely on covey groups to maintain warmth, etc

Also I have heard hunting them can be seen as easier with snow because of tracking and finding them in out of the wind, south facing brush etc. Making a perceived unfair advantage.