Opening Day Pheasants

[Pheasant Slayer]

Another hunting season is upon us. This years opening day of pheasant season just happen to fall on my birthday. I awoke this morning well before the sunrise. A year older and ready for the hunt. We (my Springer, Benny) and I set out into the darkness. I had my 1924 Parker VHE in one hand and a new box of Poly-Wad Spread-R loads that I have been dying to try out. We arrived in the parking area about a half-hour before sunrise. I geared up and headed off into the marshes. Light was just beginning to appear in the starry sky. A cool wind was comming in from the south. Benny and I stopped on a hill side at the edge of the marshes and watched the sunrise. I took a deep breath of that cool air. It felt good to be in the woods once again. Finally, the sun was high enough in the sky for legal shooting, I could hardly contain my dog any longer. He was eager for the hunt as was I. The tide was in and the ground was spongy beneth my muck boots. Within 15 minutes my Springer was on the scent. Nose to the ground and tail stub wagging happily. Suddenly the flush! A hen shot up and flew to the right. I had a Poly-Wad Spread-R in the right barrel #6 shot. I put the ivory bead on the birds head and led it just a little while gently squeezing the front trigger..The crack of my Parker and the bird folded up. Nice! first bird of the season. Once Benny had retrieved the hen. We quickly got back into the hunt. Looking around I noticed that no one else was in sight. Great, I had the area to myself.. at least for the moment. Within thirty minutes I noticed Benny with his nose stuffed to the ground with that familar criss cross pattern that he makes, and his "stub wag". I knew he was onto another bird. Within about a minute a nice rooster flushed... This time straight up and to the left.... Again, placing the ivory bead on the birds head with a slight lead, I squeezed and let loose another "Spread-R" load. The bird dropped to the ground.. Nice... That is my limit for the day. After gently placing the bird into my vest we started for the truck. While heading back, the sun was shining and I was thinking, "what a beautiful day". There is nothing better than a fine gun, a great dog, and a beautiful place to hunt. After all, it is my birthday......

[Brush Buster]

William ,Great story and nice pictures to go along with it ! Benny's a beautiful Springer ,How old is he ,he appears to be young but Spaniels have that look about them ,they always appear to be young and ornery and ready for action ! By the way Happy Birthday to you ! Russ

[Pheasant Slayer]

Russ, Benny turned three the first week of October. Every year he gets better and better. A couple of weeks before opening day I did a little more field training with him just to get him ready, which he was. He is good natured and one thing I can say is he is very loyal. Never wanders far and is always by your side. He is just happy being around people and always looking for a pat on the head. I was brought up hunting with Springers. They are not afraid of thick brush. If there is a bird hiding he will go in after it. I have had birds fall into rivers and he will swim out after them. The nice part is I was looking for a Springer and everyone wanted over a thousand dollars to start for a good hunter. A lady not to far from my house was advertising in the local paper and I drove up and picked him out of a liter for a few hundred. I put some time into him and trained him myself and he has become a excellent dog.

[Brush Buster]

William ,A beautiful Springer !!! He will be happy you bought the Spreaders also !!!

[Pheasant Slayer]

I hear ya Russ on the Spreaders, he is not happy with me if I miss....I get "that look".