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After enduring bitter cold and deep snow that stole our Iowa and Missouri bird season endings, we made a last gasp hunt to Kansas when we saw a break in the weather -- and the weather helped to make this a memorable hunt. With sunny skies, light breezes (yes, on the prairie!), and temperatures warm enough to make you take a break at noon to cool off, we had a memorable hunt, memorable for the final take on our bird season, if not for large numbers of birds.
Birds were scarce, but we found enough to keep us keen. These birds were veterans and knew every dirty trick in the book, often flushing wild and scattered...and in thick, knarly cover that seldom offered a good shot. Still, we were hunting one last time and felt blessed to be out after the foul weather we'd had.
Here are a few pictures from our hunt:
1. Rill encountered her first armadillo. The warm weather had them out in force and they distracted the dogs to no end.
2. The dogs could stay in the cabin with us, making for enjoyable evenings. Aspen really liked being able to rest on the couch.
3,4&5. When we did encounter birds, they often were in places that made for difficult shooting. Although I did not distinguish myself, I made a shot or two that made it easier to sleep at night.
6. Rill's first season has gone well, in spite of low bird numbers and limited chances. Here she pins a single in some heavy brush. Try as I might to honor her work, there were many times that no shots were offered...or, I missed. She's a good girl, and never seems to hold a grudge.
7&8 Taking breaks to enjoy the day is what makes our hunts so enjoyable. We hunt hard, but we also take time to just be content in wonderful places doing what we love.
9&10 What it's about, this hunting thing that captures our souls and keeps us going...and hoping for another season to come.
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
The Following 41 Users Say Thank You to Garry L Gordon For Your Post:
Gary: Good stuff..... Glad ya got a last shot at being in the field this season. Rill looks great and as always great pics.
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Bruce A. Hering
Program Coordinator/Lead Instructor (retired)
Shotgun Team Coach, NSCA Level III Instructor
Southeastern Illinois College
AMM 761
The Following User Says Thank You to Bruce Hering For Your Post:
Glad you got out there, I was invited to go to both Kansas and SD, but could do neither as wife had booked us a trip to Aruba. What part of Kansas did you hunt(not specific), didn't know they had armadillo, but only hunted NW Kansas.
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"How kind it is that most of us will never know when we have fired our last shot"--Nash Buckingham
The Following User Says Thank You to Harold Lee Pickens For Your Post:
Glad you got out there, I was invited to go to both Kansas and SD, but could do neither as wife had booked us a trip to Aruba. What part of Kansas did you hunt(not specific), didn't know they had armadillo, but only hunted NW Kansas.
We are in KC now, Harold, pigging out on BBQ and watching for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. It ain’t Aruba, but it’ll do.
We were in the Southern Flint Hills. Based on what other hunters were telling our host, bird numbers have been down and they’ve had bad drought. We had one bird-less day (exploring), but I’m okay with a couple of coveys if the pups get bird work and we can take a bird or two. The weather was maybe our biggest trophy — that and the beauty of the prairie.
(PS. Armadillos? Lord yes!! Plenty of ‘em.)
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to Garry L Gordon For Your Post:
How wonderful. I contemplated a last minute trip myself when I saw the weather forecast but unfortunately I had scheduled a couple meetings this week and didn't want to cancel. Thanks for the pictures.
The Following User Says Thank You to Dan Steingraber For Your Post:
As Sparse Grey Hackle wrote, “The trout don’t rise in Greenwood Cemetery.” I’m pretty sure birds don’t flush there either.
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Garry L Gordon For Your Post:
As Sparse Grey Hackle wrote, “The trout don’t rise in Greenwood Cemetery.” I’m pretty sure birds don’t flush there either.
Wonderful photos and story! Great ending to the season and I especially liked what appeared to be a rock solid point on that Armadillo! Our pup (similar age) has pointed a lot of Carolina Wrens and Anoles.
For those who like flyfishing lore and not familiar with Garry's reference to Sparse Gray Hackle there is a decent bio and interview of him done by Hoagie Bix Carmichael (Hoagie Carmichael's son) on Youtube at the link below. The piece includes several minutes of interview with Nick Lyons also.
02-02-2024, 02:27 PM
It ain’t Aruba, but it’ll do. 
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