I ran into a friend the other day who gave me crap for not posting anything for a while. I appreciated it.
This used to be my favorite time of the bird season. Not as many people to contend with. Peace and beauty of a remarkably different quality. The “certain slant of light.” Snow concentrated the birds into predictable places, and they seemed to hold better.
Now I just feel sorry for the birds and don’t have the heart to bother them. Big snow Januarys, along with very cold air and lots of wind make it hard to find bare ground and food. Their will to live far eclipses mine. I’m not sure if chukar do this, but I know ruffed grouse spend a lot of the winter in snow caves they make, which shield them from wind and much colder temps than if they were out walking around or roosting somewhere. My dogs smell them through the snow, and they’d point them and bust them, giving me another chance to miss (if it was before the end of the year; they still point and bother grouse in January). To me, that’s not fair chase.
Being back in galliforme country this year has been wonderful. Our two-year remote yearn, idiotic as it was, helped me appreciate the good days we can get in the field here. And we got plenty — not as many as we’d hoped, but they were almost all good days. And we’re older, which should equate to more patience somehow, although — for me — it’s debatable (especially if you ask Leslie; some things do never change). The worst thing about feeling our season is done is seeing how pent-up the dogs are. But they’ll get over it. I have more things to do than they, so it’s not as hard for me.
We aim to enter next season in better shape than we did this year. For some reason, we failed to get chukar fit by mid-September. Too much golf? Just lazy? Still, we hunted into chukar shape and were able to do some tough hikes. We haven’t practiced getting old, so feeling we are old is odd. Something else to figure out. Or just accept. I’ve been keeping busy trying to get my first real estate client (hasn’t happened yet), writing a bunch of stuff, including a short novel set in chukar country which I haven’t been able to get anyone interested in yet (not surprising, but I like it and think it’s good).
I’ll end with this because it’s been on my mind all season: I’ve noticed more boot-prints in places I never used to see them, on ridges far from anywhere a UTV can go, which means people are spreading over more chukar terrain. I think that’s great. Get out there.
Too much golf? That sounds like you were riding a cart. Walk 18 holes carrying a bag should help the chukar hunting muscles. Your hunting vest probably weighs about the same as a golf bag!! HA!!
No cart for me, Cliff, but I do use a push-cart. Our course is only 9 holes, but sometimes I go around twice. I don’t get much cardio from it, though. With all our snow of late, I’ll probably wax the skate skis soon, and have been riding the bike on the trainer inside. What do you do to stay chukar fit during the off-season? You’re clearly doing something right!
At least thru the winter, firewood is my main exercise. Sawing, splitting, pushing a wheelbarrow, stacking. Lots of lifting. Until 2020 my forestry work kept me in shape for chukars in October. The last three years I’ve gotten to Idaho in the worst condition ever. Gradually worked my way into shape, to at least keep up with Sam.
Good for you on the firewood! I miss our place in Cambridge where we had a wood stove. I cut, chopped, and stacked our wood there, which gave me a chanc to work out, and work out my frustrations with school!
Bob – thank you for writing more in this space. I enjoy both Leslie’s and your post’s – especially how they are different perspectives. The face of death was a great reflection and I’d be interested in your chukar country short novel. (although I think you mean an interested publisher) – I have had a great NV season, and we don’t have the huge snow, but melted south faces do make it more predictable. Three weekends left, and it is my favorite time of year. Then in February Alectoris Ale Works needs to get brewing some beers. Cheers
Thanks for your comment, Jeff. Good to hear from you, and that you’ve had a great season in NV. It’s still on my list, and I intend to make it happen next year for sure. The last brew I did turned out great, my second version of a juniper berry IPA. But my garage has been uninvitingly cold to do much brewing lately. But I’m not as adventurous as you seem to be when it comes to recipes! If nobody wants my book, I might end up self-publishing it, in which case I’ll definitely let everybody know! Cheers!
Totally agreed Bob ,
I am feeling the same way ,as I get older become more soft hearted .
Fair chase is what I like ,my wife and I are heading out to eastern Oregon for the last weekend of the season .
We are looking forward to be out there rather then killing a lot of birds !
I was also wondering about your blogs ,glad you wrote again .
enjoyed reading it .
Cheers .
Thanks for your comment, Derya. Glad you’re getting away from the ice in Portland. Looked crazy! Have fun for the last weekend!