Benediction to a Season -- Last Shots

[Stan Hillis]

Garry, you have a unique way of putting things in perspective. Not everyone who writes has that. I can relate to it. Thank you.

May you have many more seasons to write about.

[mobirdhunter]

Thanks, Stan. I hope you get some dove reconnaissance in before you "turn to farming" again (and I hope you have a good year for farming).

With Elaine nursing Aspen while he recovers from knee surgery, Rill and and I have taken a couple of border crossings to Iowa for late season quail (the pheasant hunters have to quit on Jan. 10, and Rill and I then have the fields to ourselves). The weather is the big variable in these late Iowa hunts, and on our two days out this week we encountered bitter cold one day and 40 degrees the next...and always wind. On our last hunt it got up to over 45 mph and blew us home early.

The big storm will likely keep us from our traditional Kansas and Oklahoma hunts. It looks like my friend Dean Weber and his wonderful Lab, Oz will be missed by this storm, but hit by the arctic freight train that will engulf much of the country. I hope he reports a hunt or two (and, Harold, I hope you're sitting by the fire safe at home with your pups!)

My old adage has always been "Hunt ye birds while ye may."

(Some faces from this week that only a mother could love)

[Harold Pickens]

Garry, left this morning at 4:30, one day early,, was minus 20 degrees. My heating system under the cap doesn't work so well at that temperature. Was a pretty brutal last few days. We did move 4 coveys of sharptails, I got 1 long distance shot and missed. Also saw mule deer, in Beadle County.

[Harry Schlott]

wonderful Story, Thanks from sharing. Also , you have one handsome Gordon.
All the best in the new year.
Harry

[Chris Pope]

Poor Aspen- lucky Rill !