Bird Dogs and Fly Fishing

That's the name of a Facebook Group to which I belong. It's a great place to meet and talk about both subjects with like minded folks!. Look for it on Facebook! Look for it, next Fall, on fine hunting vehicles all over the country! 


Bird Dog and Fly Fishing
Facebook Group Decal

Summer Doldrums Already

Already the summer is dragging on. Cutting grass has already started!  I'm working through pictures of this season. Maybe I need to not do this. Trial season is over, too. It's a sad thing to see bird dogs after the season is closed. 

Ruby is just now coming out of heat. It's been 17 days since I first saw her spotting. I think I'll give it another week and then do the "stud dog" test on her to make sure she's back up.  I really wanted another puppy or two out of Ace, but I figured it would be nice to go a whole season with three solid broke dogs.  Now, I may be getting "no breeding remorse". Well, it's a done deal now.  Might as well just look forward. 

Memories of the Hunt

Ace on Two ND Roosters

It only takes a snapshot to remember the day.  It was freezing cold, with bad winds and temps in the low thirties.  The first blizzard of the year passed over us as we hunkered down in Mott, ND with lots of howling wind and snow that blew mostly sideways.  When the sun returned two days later, the roads stayed frozen, but the birds came out to eat.  We caught these boys in an area of tree rows and CRP surrounding a lake (public land).  Ace knew the plan and I was right on with the gun.  We worked the treeline, seen in the background, which borders a cut wheat field.  It wasn't long before his Garmin pager went off and I moved up the outside of the row.  Brush moved and red and white flashing color started left and emerged right in front of the gun.  One down.  We started up the hill to the truck, through the CRP, and Ace locked down again.  I kicked up the second rooster and bagged it.  I noticed his retrieve wasn't nearly up to his standards on the second one, so I grabbed his collar to check him over and noticed five porcupine quill on the side of his muzzle.  Evidently, he hit Mr. Porky a glancing blow while scenting the rooster in the wood line.  I've seen that before with hard charging bird dogs.  I'm darn thankful that's all it was. 

The Championships

Ace (with me) and Cap (foreground)

The Region Championship went very well. My Cap puppy just missed the cut when the judge would not allow his "back" for a score. He thought I "whoa-ed" him in to the back, and when I told him I absolutely did not say anything or intimidate him, it fell on deaf ears. Oh well, it's not as if I never made a bad call and you got to call 'em like you see 'em.... so we moved on with Ace. The final 16 dogs started with cool, light rain which quit for clear, blue skies and 85 degrees.  Our time to run was well after the rain moved off and we did the best we could. I couldn't be more proud of my dog. We pulled up a little shy of the cut for final 6. It was a great trial with lots of dog critigues, hunting stories, history re-visited, leaning on tailgates and laughing until the tears rolled. As we were leaving, I leaned over and whispered into the old Ball and Chain's ear, "Honey, only 6 mos. to bird season!". "You are a sick puppy", she retorted. Yep.

Journey

The Old Ball and Chain and Cap

Apparently, the old Ball and Chain reads Facebook.  Also, apparently, my blog links to Facebook.  So, to put this in a nutshell, I was greeted with "You're going on a long trip?" as I walked through the front door. That's when I managed to use my 6 seconds of remaining life to explain that this was going to be on my 65th birthday (3 seasons hence) and she was integral in the planning and execution of said trip.  Also, I might have mentioned (things get hazy here as I could feel my life force evaporating in the laser glare of my lovely wife) about the motor home and living accomodations, her flying home to check things out occasionally, etc.  It may have appeared, to the untrained eye, that I was babbling and trying to save my skin, but my coherent and cogent statement of facts enabled me to escape....er...leave, with some sort of dignity.  Whew!  That, my friends, was a close one.

The Journey



Randy and Ace
(Photo take by Nancy Whitehead)

So, I'm thinking a big trip may be on the horizon. I don't mean a week or two, although two week hunting trips are what keep bird hunters sane and walking upright- me, at least.  No, I mean one of those around the country hunting  numerous species kind of hunts.  One of those hunts you read about.   I'm thinking about timing and I realize three things are required for a successful foray.  First, you need the inclination to proceed.  You need to be the type  to get up every day and, after thanking God for another day on the green side of the grass, think "I could be in Idaho, or Alaska, or North Dakota, or Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, California" and on an on! Second, you would need the where-with-all.  You need to have the dollars to put diesel in the F-250, buy licenses in 10 states and feed those bird finding buddies of yours.  Lastly, you need the time.  Time, alas, it the one thing that cannot be earned.  There is a guarantee that it will end, come to a halt. (The numbers are in....one out of one people die.) Usually, the ending will be without preamble.  So, time is critical and not to be wasted or squandered on inconsequential things.  

I have all three items in my pocket right now.  This is not to say I won't lose one or all of them one day, but now looks like a good time to plan a bird hunting odyssey. So, a few big questions arise....

1.)  Where to go? 

2.)  When to go? 

3.)  How to go? 

4.) Who to go with?  (With whom to go?...I never could get that straight!) 

I'll explore this more as I work through the issues involved.  

Year of the Brittany?

Ace

Ruby

Cap

After a fine hunting season, the pups are ready to finish out the trial season, as well.  Ruby, top, had a first in her last trial a month ago, and Cap, bottom, had a first and third that same weekend.  If I've done my job well enough, they should do well in the next trial in a few weeks.  Shortly after that one, we have the Georgia Championships.  Since all three of my Brits qualified, I'm hoping this may be the "Year of the Brittany"! (Ace and Ruby photos by Nancy Whitehead)

The Look

(Photo taken by Nancy Whitehead)

They say some dogs are good and they know it.  They also say those dogs have a look and manner that radiates competence; a no-nonsense demeanor and attitude.

Valley Quail Hunting in Idaho

Bea has 'em!

Last Day Pups Action
None of them 2 years old yet!
5 Birds Pointed in that shrub.

A great way to finish this trip!  We put all four pups on the ground and hunted a  honey-hole we found earlier in the trip.  Action started heating up about an hour before sunset with two covey finds and  numerous singles pointed.  30 minutes after the pups pic, it was time to return to the truck.  Awesome finish to a great hunt.  The most memorable thing about this trip is the great people we met!  We hunted with some real gurus- chukar, valley quail, Huns- some real specialists.  The one day I hunted Chukar, this young buck mountain goat showed up and took me in areas I'd never go.  I got to admit, I was one worn out bird hunter at the end of that day!  He had us over to his house later for dinner (big slab of grilled Idaho salmon) and we met his lovely wife and children and listened to the Snake River shoosh by while we told tall tales and lies about bird dogs and hunts.  Finally, I was falling asleep listening (anyone who knows me would understand, it was almost 10pm, after all) and Robert suggested we needed to get back to the motel.  Another good friend invited us up to Sun Valley to meet yet another couple and we all went out to eat.  It was snowing so hard, we stayed over at their home (on a 7000 ac. ranch with elk, deer and wolves) and left in the early morning to beat the next storm. Several new friends offered to take  us around the area and we just had no time to do it.  What a wonderful problem to have.  You all know who you are, so thank you so much for your kindness and generosity! 

All of this came about through our contacts on Facebook (yes, even worn out bird hunters are on Facebook) in a Group called "Bird Dogs and Fly Fishing".  It is a closed group, which means you must be invited by someone you have "friended", who is already in the group.  I think you can also go to the group and request to join.  The pictures and discussions are friendly and helpful (I changed several things I do, based on advice from bird hunters all over the country).  Give it a look and see what you think.

Random cool pics of Idaho hunt

Cap on a chukar retrieve

One worn out pup

Ruby backing a horse

Male Sage Grouse

Randy and Cap

You want me to go where?

This country can get in to your head. Wonder what real estate is
doing around here?

Chukar!

My First Chukar!

Brittany on the Rocks Pointed

Chukar Retrieve!

Cap on Chukar #2

Break Time among the Rocks

After flailing around for two days on our own, even with good advice from friends, I decided I wasn't going to chase Chukar without someone along that knows what they are doing.  A game biologist from the area took pity on us and said, "Come on.  I'll show you Chukar."   What he kindly neglected to say was we would climb mountains, wade streams, walk snow and rocks and cold and hot and freezing and sweaty- all within 1 hour- just to get to Chukar Country.  Then the fun part started!  My pup, Cap, and his dog, Remy, were the two on the ground and they both did very well.  Once we got in the area, Cap headed up the mountain and made a 350 yard cast and pointed!  I figured he was relieving himself and didn't mention it.  After several minutes of this, I mentioned that he was on point (about 200 yards away, now) and we started moving there in earnest.  Finally, we saw him moving again high on the rocks and I called him down.  I no sooner got the whistle out of my mouth, when a flash  of feathers and noise came from my left off the face off a small rock face.  Never having seen a Chukar flush, I hesitated for a nanosecond running through the cataloge of species, etc., and came to the conclusion this was the bird.  Gun up- bird down!  My first Chukar.  I soon learned that Aaron shot, too..so I shared that one with him. Later on, Cap found a covey of 15 in the rocks and held them tight.  I knocked one down over the edge on to a shelf above the creek (the same one waded through earlier).  Aaron was up much higher overlooking the shelf.  He called out that Cap descended the rocks, was on the shelf and now was on point (pic above) on my wounded bird.  I eased down there, took some pictures, then kicked the bird up and watched the show.  He came out of the bush trying to fly and took off running!  Cap broke and I yelled, "Fetch 'em up, Cap!  Go get 'em!"  Those little suckers can run, too.  Cap was on his tail as he zig-zagged down the shelf!  Once, Cap almost caught him, and with a burst of speed, the bird went over a drop off. Cap never hesitated and went right after him!  Silence followed as we both waited.  About 30 seconds later, out from the creek bottom, my little pup came trotting up with a bird in his mouth. (pic)  He put it in my hand and looked at me as if to say, "What are we waiting for?  There's birds up there, Boss!"  Oh my aching legs.....

Aaron's dog, Remy, a Vizla, did really well.  A young dog, she will be a star for him next year.  Thanks, Aaron, for taking us up in the mountains...

Cotton and Maggie

A few of the harvest

Cotton, Ruby, Maggie and Bandit had this one pointed and  backed

Cap locked down

We are getting a lot of good work on our dogs out here.  Today was probably the best day I've had hunting quail in years.  And, it all started out fairly normal.  I'd found a small covey the day prior about 30 minutes before quitting for the day. Since we were passing by on the way to another area, I suggested we stop in and see if we couldn't find the larger group...just for a few minutes.  Well, 6 hours later, we were still in that area, all the dogs had finds and backs and retrieves and I was out of shells!  Wow!  Every once in a while you DO get the bear.

Shoot and Release Hunting

Cap Pointing a Brush Pile

Ruby Pointing a Quail in a Tree

Robert's Cotton

 Today saw some stuff not normally seen in bird hunting. The
first was Ruby pointing a valley quail in a tree.  The second involved the new eco-friendly shoot and
release program!
I made a nice shot on one quail in a brushy draw high above the north
bank of the Snake River. When Cap went in for the retrieve, he found
the bird just fine, but it was stuck in the top of a bush! So, I
wandered over to the bird and picked it out of the bush. Then, to get
some training in, I dispatched the bird and tossed it to a clear area
to get a retrieve from Cap and Bandit. Immediately as the bird hit the
ground, it got up, dusted off his feathers and ran on out of there.
Much to my chagrin, none of the dogs on the ground could find the
bird. Ah, bird hunting!

Motel Recommendations

The place to stay in Mountain Home,Idaho for bird hunters. Dog friendly and very accomodating......and reasonable. 

This little guy let me take his picture!

Ruby and Me


We are having fun at camp.  Send money!

These Valley Quail, at least right here, are challenging to hunt.  They like the thick brush, and the fly like the wind.  The good news is they travel in large crowds and the world erupts when they take to flight.  The dogs are occasionally having a hard time with scenting, especially the fast movers.  Today, we are moving a little south on the Snake to some new areas and we are hopeful for more birds.  

Chukar Tracks

Ruby and Ace on the banks of the Snake River pointed on a covey of Valley Quail

Ruby retrieving and quail to me after she pointed

Male Valley Quail

A great second day.  As luck would have it, we sat next to a local real estate agent and bird hunter at breakfast.  He allowed as to how it was good hunting in an area he knows, so he drew a map.  It was great! Thank you, Jim!

Valley Quail in Idaho 1

I was a first for me and my dogs. After 2.5 days of driving we arrived to a storm of "epic" proportions! Up to that point, it was a dry year- so dry it made the record books. I half-jokingly mentioned that I would end that with my arrival! Sure enough...I did.

Although it was snowing elsewhere, the land we hunted was still dry with occasional rain. The Valley Quail were there and in pretty good numbers. The top photo is me and my pup, Cap. Next is Cap locked down on the slope of an irrigation ditch followed be another point and a back by Bean, as setter owned by me friend. Actually, Bean was the star of the day, with three finds on singles harvested.

It amazes me the cover these Valley Quail inhabit. It is more suitable to pheasant. Cattails, thick grass and weeds, creek bottoms.....just amazing!

8800 Feet in Utah

Randy Schultz
770.584.5085
www.abirdhuntersthoughts.com
www.follr.US/randy
randy@uplanders.com

While Waiting for the Next Hunt

Cap locked down on quail.

I had a little time before the next hunt (Idaho in January) so I entered my pups in a few trials around the area.  I've been running NSTRA trials since 1992 when I entered my first Brittany, Rocket, in a trial up in the hills of north Georgia.  I've had some success over the years, and a few dogs that were less than successful.  However, I did learn the game and I do enjoy spending the day with like-minded people, talking dogs and hunting and trialing. I decided to enter my two Brittany pups, Cap (B/M) and Ruby (B/F) and just see what they could do.  The first trial was in Alabama and they both did OK, for first time dogs.  At least, they weren't "placed upon" and they did find their fair share of birds.  There was a lot of learning and laughs on the field, for me at least, as I watched them dart around and try their very best to do what the big boys were doing.  (They run "amateur" dogs at these trials, too, but I figure my pups should be able to hold their own and take their lumps.  So, I entered them in the Open class.)  The next trial was down in Pavo, GA and, once again, they did OK.  They did draw some notice from the gallery for their hunt and they way they worked with and for me.  No placements, but for young, new dogs, they did very well. 

 Last weekend, I entered them in a trial up in north GA, Ball Ground, GA.  On Saturday, they both took the fields like pros!  I was very pleased with their handing and finds and backs.  Their ground coverage was excellent and I sensed it was just a matter of time before the breakthrough came.  Saturday afternoon, Cap (shown above) had a pretty decent run and took a third place- qualifying for the Region Championships in March.  It was quite a coup for him- he's not even two yet and was running like a much more mature dog.  Sunday was another story altogether.  Cap was awesome!  He ended up with a very strong first place and looked polished and strong doing it.  Ruby, on another field, racked up another first place, also.  Oddly, her score was matched exactly by another dog. So we chose to have a coin toss to determine the winner- I lost.  It doesn't take anything away from Ruby, at all.  She did her part and tied for first place. 

Overall, we took a First, Second, and Third for the weekend- 3 out of the possible 12 placements went to my little pups!  I guess they'll make bird dogs. 

Off to Idaho on Sunday.  More updates later.