Opening day tomorrow

[Phil C]

Well a great day but no birds in the bag.
The temperature was a surprising 49F when I launched the dogs. i had to do some business to do and then 2 areas I had hunted last year were posted. So a slight delay.
By the time I put the dogs on the ground it was warming up. Since they had been in the truck for awhile I put two old dogs and the pup on the ground. After they got out and did their business they started toward A pond that I parked near.
After a little playtime in the water the 3 started quartering up the side of a hill. A few hundred yards and then Scout followed by Ollie and Bell all locked up. Just as I answered an incoming call. They all held tight until I quickly told my friend Dave all of my dogs are on point and I needed to get off the phone.
I actually was not expecting birds, I should have but I had seen a rabbit that had bolted out ahead us us earlier and I thought possibly the dogs being over anxious had pointed it.
Rule #1 trust your dogs.
As I approached 3 birds burst from a small bush. One going dead away. Rule #2 birds going straight away need you to be pointing under the bird not over. I feathered the bird, took my eyes off it due to another bird busting out. Rule #3. If the bird doesn't drop at the report, don't get distracted by the bird in the Bush. If you do you wont know where the bird you hit pitches and may not get the dogs on it in time.
So it wasn't just a warm up day for the dogs, it was for me also.
Thats Ok we still have until February 5 to figure it out.
A couple of Ibuprofen for me a a Novax each for the two old dogs and we all seem to be comfortable with how things turned out.