Parkers on the Prairie- 2013

[Double Lab]

Well, just returned from another great trip to the great state of S. Dakota. The weather pretty much cooperated for the 5 days we hunted. A touch of snow, some rain at night and temps. in the 40's. Great scenting conditions for the dogs and easier on them than temps. in the 50's or 60's. The soil was wet which made it much easier on the dogs feet. Birds were a little scarce this year but we hunted hard and smart and came close to our collective limit of 15 each day. I challenged myself and completed my own "grand slam" of sorts; 5 guns over 5 days killing my limit of 3 birds with a different gun each day. We had fantastic dog work this year because without them it would have been really difficult. I brought my two Labs, Parker and Fox, my buddy Kevin whom I traveled with brought his GSP Keily, and Jent Mitchell tagged along with his setter Abby. This trip marked a milestone of sorts for Kevin; his introduction to the world of Parkers. His wife called me a couple of months ago and wanted me to look for "a really nice shotgun" she could give him for their 30th anniversary coming up in Dec. but that he could take on this trip. What a great wife, huh? She surprised him the morning we left with a tons of condition 1902 VH 20, 26", DT, straight grip, DHB that I had my eyes on for a while but I could'nt justify another straight grip 26" 20 in the safe with the other 4. He brought 2 other guns, a nice 20 Sterlingworth and a gorgeous Merkel 20 which never left the truck. He hunted all 5 days with the VH and I've never seen him shoot better. He's hooked! His gun is pictured above my VHE in one picture and in another with him and his GSP Keily. October really is a great month is'nt it?