Final Trip
Today was the final guide trip for the 2019 season, and my client Chris and I had a good time out there, watching bird dogs do their thing and working hard to provide us with some bird contacts, up close and personal. While it snowed at times out there, especially in the afternoon, the weather wasn't generally as bad as had been forecast just a day or two ago. In fact, it was quite nice in the morning - mid 30's with a slight breeze and no precipitation coming down, which was quite a change from yesterday.
Monty got the call out of the truck and he provided several good opportunities for Chris, but his aim was off a bit this morning. All eight of the grouse that were pointed or moved by Monty and Milo this morning went on their merry way. Monty's pointing was very solid, and it was good to see him perform well two days in a row after being laid up for the last two weeks.
Monty got the call out of the truck and he provided several good opportunities for Chris, but his aim was off a bit this morning. All eight of the grouse that were pointed or moved by Monty and Milo this morning went on their merry way. Monty's pointing was very solid, and it was good to see him perform well two days in a row after being laid up for the last two weeks.
It was a quiet day out there grouse hunting in the snow. We did have some cooperative birds however.
After lunch, Bode and Sadie teamed up again, but the grouse gave us the slip for the most part until the end of our route. Bode went on point on a grouse that must've been pressured quite a few times this season. It went out, nearly silently, about thirty yards ahead of us and that was the closest we would get to that one ...
Rosie was the anchor in our bird dog relay today and she did well again, pointing several grouse and a lone woodcock in her time out there. Chris rewarded her for her efforts by taking a grouse, which really made our day. She once again handled very well and pointed the majority of her birds, patterning with good range and plenty of energy.
Rosie was the anchor in our bird dog relay today and she did well again, pointing several grouse and a lone woodcock in her time out there. Chris rewarded her for her efforts by taking a grouse, which really made our day. She once again handled very well and pointed the majority of her birds, patterning with good range and plenty of energy.
As you would expect, most of the bird contacts were in or near stands of evergreens, as the birds were seeking shelter from the wintry weather. We also only saw one woodcock, and we hunted some areas where we had moved a substantial number of woodcock just a couple of days before. They will be undoubtedly headed south now, and they won't want to be around here next week, when the really cold weather comes.
Final Observations ...
It was a good guiding season for us, and we really had some great dog work. I was fortunate to watch a lot of different dogs and breeds work this season, and it was interesting watching the dogs and their handlers. Grouse, as you all know, are the most difficult bird for our dogs to hunt and handle, and they're also difficult for us as well. They always seem to surprise us, and most of the time we look like fools, but every now and then we have the last laugh.
While the guiding season might be over for this year, the hunting will go on as long as my schedule and the weather allows - hopefully we can get out there a few times in the next few weeks.
Dogs we hunted with in 2019:
GSP: Monty, Bode, Rosie
Pointers: Brutus, Milo, Sadie, Ginger, Axel
Brittanies: Chotsie, Kiya, Pink, Floyd
English Setter: Duke
Braque Français: Maggie
Griffons: Maggie, Louise
Weimaraner: Monty
Final Observations ...
It was a good guiding season for us, and we really had some great dog work. I was fortunate to watch a lot of different dogs and breeds work this season, and it was interesting watching the dogs and their handlers. Grouse, as you all know, are the most difficult bird for our dogs to hunt and handle, and they're also difficult for us as well. They always seem to surprise us, and most of the time we look like fools, but every now and then we have the last laugh.
While the guiding season might be over for this year, the hunting will go on as long as my schedule and the weather allows - hopefully we can get out there a few times in the next few weeks.
Dogs we hunted with in 2019:
GSP: Monty, Bode, Rosie
Pointers: Brutus, Milo, Sadie, Ginger, Axel
Brittanies: Chotsie, Kiya, Pink, Floyd
English Setter: Duke
Braque Français: Maggie
Griffons: Maggie, Louise
Weimaraner: Monty
