A couple of amazing days in the field: the season seems to be getting better and better. We are thankful for the birds whose lives we have ended and whose meat will nourish our bodies and whose memories and feathers escaping to remote corners of the garage remind me of the severity of this pastime. Not that it balances out exactly, but as some kind of penance, we make sure to keep our wild bird feeders at home full of seed.
On Thanksgiving Day, we tried a new spot that looked like it might hold birds. It did. Two days later, we tried another new spot and hiked our longest hunt yet. Today, the dogs are paying for it, especially Peat, who tore a toenail down to the quick. I’m starting to feel I understand what habitat to look for that will hold birds: sage, bitterbrush (or “buckbrush” as they call it in these parts), rocks, and east-facing slopes. Oh, and another probably very important feature: low hunting pressure.
Today I set out to make a video of just dog action from the previous two hunts, and I ended up with one of my longest videos yet. I won’t apologize because I love watching it, and hope you enjoy it, too. And to the grayish Toyota Tundra that drove by and stopped while we were unloading: next time just keep driving, or at least offer us a beer! 🙂
Wow so cool. Love the creeping back and the bagpipe cell phone flush. And the powdered one up high great work on the dogs, camera, and shotgun.
A year or so ago you seemed ready to give Peat away. Now he looks like “Peat the Wonder Dog”. I should have come to see you and made you an offer in September of 2015. Been a year of low Hun numbers near my home grounds. Still the dogs and I get our exercise and a partridge per day keeps us going out.. Regards.
Oh my gosh, I was just thinking about how close we came to losing this dog a year ago, because of our ineptitude and impatience. He’s still a PITA, but precious, and not just in the field. I thank the forces that conspired to keep him in our midst.
Cool video Bob! Your dogs are working well
-Mike
On Sun, Nov 27, 2016 at 6:24 PM, Chukar Hunting wrote:
> Bob McMichael posted: ” A couple of amazing days in the field: the season > seems to be getting better and better. We are thankful for the birds whose > lives we have ended and whose meat will nourish our bodies and whose > memories and feathers escaping to remote corners of the gar” >
Thanks, Mike. Good to hear from you. If you’re in our area, stop by. Long time. 🙂
I love hearing the chirps of huns and squeeking of chukar. Thanks for the cool video!
Dude you are having one heck of a season!!! Lots to be thankful for! How do you like that vest/pack?…Im looking forward to the review.
Thanks, Weldon. Yep, it’s been one of the best seasons I’ve ever had. I love the vest, after not being certain about it initially. Here’s the review I wrote about it at the beginning of the season. I actually like it more than the review conveys. https://chukarhunting.net/2016/09/05/q5-centerfire-vest-review/
Bob, this is my favorite video yet. It doesn’t matter how many times you watch good dogs do their work, it never gets old. Nice shooting too. Keep up the posts and videos. And congrats on Peat’s progress, it is incredible to see.
Bob and Leslie. Great video. Love seeing the great dog work. 9 miles is a big day, especially when you add in the elevation gain you probably had.
Hey Bob…you still in Idaho with your “Thanks” video?
Yes, still in Idaho. 🙂
A couple of great hunts! I wish I could be in two places at once. Mearns quail season opens Friday here in Arizona. I hope it is as good as the Chukar and Hun hunting I left in Idaho.
Sam, thanks for your comment! I look forward to showing you next season the new spots we found.
Great video work. Thanks for sharing your hunts, the bird numbers are crazy in that video.
Great videos and commentary. The camera operator does a super job of capturing the action and the scenery – and the slope… Sitting here near sea level on the east coast, my ankles ache and my lungs are just heaving from watching these videos. Love the Brits. What a great sport!