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

[charlie cleveland]

daryl good storey...sorry about your old hunting partner but i see you have 2 new partners... they will hopefully be with you many years...i see you to like to hunt with more than one gun...aint it tough decision some times on which one to hunt with.... boy i do like making these decisions... very good photos of hunting ground its a beautiful place out there... keep the dogs busy and the guns warm.... charlie

[Double Lab]

Charlie,
Life is too short to hunt with only one gun and now I know it's too short for only one dog. Wish you all could join us.
Daryl

[Opening Day]

Daryl, Now I know you used nontox in those RST's on that duck you jumped out of the pot hole... Glad the dogs are getting the idea, I think you will have many rewarding years with them.

[Ed Blake]

Daryl - did you take that long barrel 28 that followed you home from Pintail Point? Thanks for the pics.

Ed

[10ga Hammer]

Daryl, Glad to see you and the "Kids" had a great time on your adventure! My guess is that "hole" will soon be filled with new memories and magic moments, in the years to come. Wishing you all the best in the remaining hunting season. Best Regards, R Rambler

[Autumn Daze]

Wonderful story and pictures Daryl. i especially liked the pictures of Foxy and Parker. I miss those guys.....

[Double Lab]

Eric- Of course it was nontox. Would'nt want to be a criminal now would I? The stupidity of the law is such that on that duck I needed nontox and if a pheasant were to flush in the same cover I can shoot it with a lead field load. Go figure. Only a nitwit in Washington who could'nt tell a coot from a coyote would mandate such things.
Ed- Yes the long 28 came with me but never got the chance to cut a feather. Next year I'm going to handload some Bismuth and try it on some ducks over the dekes in those potholes.

[Big D]

Wouldn't we (and the ducks) have been better off if they permitted the continued use of lead for waterfowl, but charged steeel shot prices for duck loads, and put the incremental revenue into habitat acquisition and improvment (think Ducks Unlimited)? Long term fix for wildlife is more and better habitat

[Double Lab]

Bingo!
Steel has crippled and killed much more waterfowl than "lead poisoning' ever did IMHO.
D