Hammertime

C.O.B. · 12-31-2012, 05:50 PM

I brought 2012 to a close the same way I opened it hunting birds. A quick call to Tim at the Haymarsh got me three fields (120 acres) to wander around in to my hearts content. I couldn't go out untill noon as there were hunters booked for the morning and as I peer over my Fiscall Claiff I was hesitant to spend $60.00 (Oh ok call me cheap) for Pheasants when I have a copious supply resting comfortably in the freezer.

It was above freezing and the snow had a slight crunch to it but the sky was overcast and a pretty good wind was blowing. Immediately i wished for a thicker shirt and heavier gloves. The gloves I used are my lightweight shooting gloves but the is a method to my madness and possible frostbite. I was using my 16ga hammergun in the field for the first time and thicker gloves don't allow me to get to the back trigger very fast.

Daisy covered ground as we looked in all the right places for a Pheasant out for a stroll. We hunted the cattails surronding a couple of ponds, the pines, the thickest cover we could find we hunted all to no avail. In three hours I never saw a bird not even a fresh track. In some cover that would do a grouse proud Daisy got scent and pointed but when I walked through it there was no bird. Thick cover and cocked hammers was somewhat uncomfortable but the barrels were always pointed skyward.

I noticed blood in Daisy's tracks and the snow and ice had done a job on her feet so we headed for the truck. it's hunting afterall not shooting and we had had a great day in the outdoors. We came to the two track that led back to the truck and she got the wiff of the sweet smell of game. She was probably 30 yards off in some thick cover when I cocked the hammers and proceded to enter her domain. A bird flushed wild and it had the good sence to fly over the trees instead of through them and was quartering towards me. The first barrel rocked the Hen and the second connected solidly. She sailed out into the pine stand and Daisy made the retrieve. She had worked hard for this one and was reluctant to give up her prize.

This gave her a shot of adrenalin and I made a circle around to some more cover instead of going directly to the truck. In a small copse of pines she locked up solid. I once again cocked the hammers and prepared to do my job. it was a thick but small group of pines and I knew if I just charged in the bird would flush and I'd never get a shot so I went around the back side and put the bird between Dasiy and myself. The rooster went out litterly at my feet and we were eyeball to eyeball for at least three wingbeats. I rushed the first shot but saw feathers and new I was off the stock. I bared down for the second salvo and sent 7/8ths of N0.7 1/2 shot at the quickly departing target. This connected as well but it was by no means a stellar performance on my part. At the second shot Daisy took off faster than a politician can backtalk a constituant and caught the bird. When she brought it back and put it on the ground he took off again and another race ensued. No bird can outrun crazy Daisy and when she brought it back a second time I took it from her directly and dispatched him.

In the last half hour we put up two birds and collected them both. A fitting end to 2012. tomorrow is the first day of the new year and the last day of Grouse season. There will be no hangover for me as I'll be in the coverts bringing in the New Year as it should be. I believe in getting off to a fst start for 2013.