I started chukar hunting in 2000 with my first Brittany, Glenna. She was an awesome dog with a fantastic nose but decided it was more fun hunting for herself and she ended up running too big. At age 10, she developed mega-esophagus, and I had to put her down way too early. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But that’s another story.
When Glenna was about six we got her a puppy brother, Angus. You’ll see he is the star of this show, but only after Glenna died. I couldn’t bring myself to take Angus hunting while leaving Glenna behind, so I just didn’t go for several years. The day after Glenna passed I took Angus hunting for really the first time, just to see how he’d do.
Well, he was a natural. Without much training at all (just a little of Wolters’ wing-on-a-string work) and some great bonding between us over his first few years, he quickly figured out not just how to find and point chukar (and Huns and grouse and quail and pheasant), but exactly how close he could get before busting them. And did I mention that he loves retrieving?
As I write this (January 2012), Angus is 4-1/2 years old. I’m nursing a badly sprained ankle and we’re both going stir-crazy hoping to get out for the last few weeks of the chukar season. Chukar hunting with Angus, and – when my wife can come along with the camera on a day off – has become my favorite outdoor activity. I look forward to sharing our experiences in more detail.