Nice walk but no feathers to show for it

[Richard Flanders]

Got another day in on snowshoes today. Gorgeous day. Went over the hill and up a creek to the south where I always find birds and saw at least 25 birds today. I could hear them clucking nearly all day(hearing aids are a wonderful invention). Only got two but that's better than a skunk. They were flushing pretty wild and far out but my 28" M/F VH20 will reach out pretty well using 7-1/2 game loads so I just kept trying. I was impressed. I'd have done much better if I could still shoot right-handed. The big male is changing color and is at the best phase for mounting. They look pretty nice at this stage. I give much credit for my successful foray on snowshoes in ratty snow to my pint water bottle of Super Beets juice. That stuff is incredible. I was going stronger after 3 hard hours than I was at the beginning. Usually this trip leaves me barely able to make it back to the plane. So, here's some pics of the hunting grounds and the birds brought to bag.