Parkers [and a Fox] on the Prairie

[Double Lab]

Just wanted to share these photos of our recent hunt in S.Dakota for ducks and pheasants. Ducks were plentiful but the pheasant numbers were down so we really had to work for them. Shot ducks every morning with a 12 sterlingworth then switched to a Parker for the afternoon bird hunt. First afternoon I always start the season with my 28ga vh, day 2 saw my Fox 16 Deluxe in action. Day 3 was the day for the GHE16 damascus which drew her first blood on a duck which I jumped off a pothole we were working for pheasants. This bird circled and was attempting to gain altitude into the wind [which if you have ever hunted out there you know blows constantly] when I intercepted her escape with a 7/8oz load of RST 2.5" 1150 Lites 7.5's and folded her cleanly at @ 40yds. Day 4 was my favorite bird gun a 26" 20 VHE stoked with my 7/8oz handload of 7.5's at 1200fps. I know a lot or people swear by 5 or 6's for roosters but there is something very efficient about 7.5's. This was a bittersweet trip for me in that it was my first trip in 9 yrs without my pointing lab Parker whom I lost suddenly this past Jan. to cancer. As any dog owner knows this leaves a huge hole in your life. Now for the best part of the trip- the dogs. I rescued 2 labs from two different shelters and worked with them all summer. Named them Parker [or P2] and FoxE and they did a splendid job. Probably the most rewarding job of dog training I've ever accomplished. They were'nt perfect but it was only their first time in a truly wild environment and they tracked well and found the dead birds in extremely thick cover. Looking forward to field trailing them this winter between hunts. Hope everyone has a successful and rewarding season with their favorite SxS and their loyal canine at their side.
Daryl