Last (almost) day limit

Halifaxuplander · 12-13-2019, 11:42 PM

I bought this GH last December, and had Chris Dawe undertake the restoration. It took until late November to get the RST shells delivered, and then life got in the way.
Finally, I was able to carve a day to myself and had the good fortune of sharing this second to last day of Pheasant season with my brother. He is a dedicated and persistent hunter, and routinely returns with his bag limit while others complain of low bird numbers. Today was no different as we flushed bird after bird and filled our limit.
This ended up being my only day chasing wild pheasants for 2019...but what a day to shoot! Whispy cloud cover to keep the sun from blinding; light winds ahead of a warm front as the afternoon progressed; and tight holding late season roosters exploding from snow-bound covers.
This picture is of the first rooster with my new-to-me gun, that turned 100 this year. We took turns running our Springers, and both dogs performed without fail. My little female is sleeping beside me as I type, and I am blessed to have such a courageous, talented, and driven companion.
We left the final cover of the day after connecting with some old friends and running more dogs. My brother suggested that with good fortune, we would all be back for the next seasons' final day...I sure hope so!

Big D · 12-14-2019, 08:48 AM

A well-trained Springer is just what you need for pheasants. I sure miss my "Abby"

Matt Buckley · 12-14-2019, 02:43 PM

I can't believe you had restoration work done in less than a year. I have had a gun away for over 2 years just to have the receiver re case colored.

Halifaxuplander · 12-14-2019, 04:00 PM

My good fortune in living reasonably close to the craftsmen.

mobirdhunter · 12-14-2019, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Chisholm

I bought this GH last December, and had Chris Dawe undertake the restoration. It took until late November to get the RST shells delivered, and then life got in the way.
Finally, I was able to carve a day to myself and had the good fortune of sharing this second to last day of Pheasant season with my brother. He is a dedicated and persistent hunter, and routinely returns with his bag limit while others complain of low bird numbers. Today was no different as we flushed bird after bird and filled our limit.
This ended up being my only day chasing wild pheasants for 2019...but what a day to shoot! Whispy cloud cover to keep the sun from blinding; light winds ahead of a warm front as the afternoon progressed; and tight holding late season roosters exploding from snow-bound covers.
This picture is of the first rooster with my new-to-me gun, that turned 100 this year. We took turns running our Springers, and both dogs performed without fail. My little female is sleeping beside me as I type, and I am blessed to have such a courageous, talented, and driven companion.
We left the final cover of the day after connecting with some old friends and running more dogs. My brother suggested that with good fortune, we would all be back for the next seasons' final day...I sure hope so!

Chris, I enjoyed your account of your last day for pheasants. Your notes of the weather and day reveal a great deal about you as a hunter, and I see in your words that nothing of the experience is unappreciated. I hope that you'll find the same friends and experiences next season. A hunter's seasons are all too short.

Thanks for posting.

Dean Romig · 12-14-2019, 08:32 PM

Chris, I too enjoyed your account of your day afield with your springer and your Parker.
Many (5+) decades ago I hunted pheasants right our my back door in the snow and they would burst out of their hidey places in an explosion of snow and the jeweled colors of the cock bird. What memories your story brought back. Thank you!

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