They grow up quick.

[Phil C]

Took Ollie out for the opening day of Mearns season yesterday. It was hot and dry with tough scenting conditions unfortunately.
I always take my new dogs for their first Mearns quail hunt to a place where 2 of my dogs ashes are scattered.
Hunting was a little tough there but about 30 minutes in my dog Scout whom I was running Ollie with went on point.
I let Ollie work her way up and back Scout, then walked in for the flush.
Nothing there. I Released the dogs, Scout went up and Ollie down the hill.
A few seconds later Ollie locked up. I started down the hill and 8 to 10 quail flushed.
I picked a bird that was turning Sharp behind a tree and fired. It did come out the other side.
Another bird cut around behind me and I made a clean shot with my Parker 20 gauge Skeet Gun.
Ollie never moved. A tweet on the whistle and some hand gestures and she hunted the downed birds. Scout came over and picked up the second bird I had dropped and with a little coaching Ollie found and retrieved the first bird I had shot dropping it in my hand.
Could not be happier.
4 hours of walking and only found two coveys. Ollie and Scout both had another point and retrieve after a covey flushed wild and I missed the first shot.
Was able to circle back around later and picked up two more quail over the dogs.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Phillip Carr

4 hours of walking and only found two coveys. Ollie and Scout both had another point and retrieve after a covey flushed wild and I missed the first shot.
Was able to circle back around later and picked up two more quail over the dogs.

But worth every minute of it it seems Phil. Nice!!





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[mobirdhunter]

Two coveys in four hours doesn't sound bad at all, especially this year for us in our home covers. And to have your pup do so well is icing on the cake.

I hope you can get your dogs into more birds, as I know how crucial it is in their first years. (BTW, The feet on those birds are remarkable. I guess they must make a pretty good living scratching up something for dinner with those feet. Makes our Missouri Bobs' feet look much smaller.)

Enjoyed the photos -- thanks!