Ticks

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. On our walk two days ago I found two of these insects walking on me. I checked the dogs over and didn’t find any on them but I’m sure they will start picking up a few as the season progresses. We will start putting Front Line on them which has worked well for us over the years. With the mild winter we had it should be a Spring full of ticks.

On a good note we had a very good hike. Like during hunting season we try and hit different areas. Surprisingly we didn’t find many birds, but the birds we found were paired. I assume that is why we didn’t find as many birds. They really spread out once they pair.

Here is one of those situations that is good but can be a pain when hunting multiple dogs. Although the distance isn’t that huge, Jake and Grady are on point at around 150 degrees in direction. To make it worse they are on opposite sides of the ridge.

These points worked out okay as I got to flush birds from each dog.

The lack of a gun shot helped me keep number two on point until I got to him.

Luckily for me, during the hunting season a gun shot is enough to make the second dog break point and come running. Usually in these situations they are far enough apart and in steep enough country I’m happy to have them do that.

Although we didn’t see a lot of birds, there was plenty of sign to let us know they were about somewhere. Scattered out droppings show the covey’s are now gone and birds are paired. Sadly, chukar feathers show what was probably the death of a bird from avian predators.

But dust bowls are obvious that birds are alive and doing well.

But don’t think everything is going to be fun. The steep north slopes still have snow. Snow that is hard to negotiate through to get to the next slope. The dogs could stay on top of this snow but each step I took broke through.

Get out there with the pups and enjoy what nature has to offer.