It looks like we are going to have some wet weather in the next couple of days. As I get older I find I melt when I get out in the cold wet weather so the dogs are going to give me a break through Christmas.
I hope your Christmas is very Merry and that the rest of the season brings you and your dogs plenty of points and some feathers in the mouth. I know me and the boys will be out there giving it hell. We’re still seeing plenty of birds almost everywhere we go. Yes, they are a lot more skittish but that challenge makes it even more rewarding when it comes together.
Our last hunt yesterday was full of surprises. Not only did we get some chukars, we got a couple of bonus birds. One was a hun and the second a bobwhite quail. The boys pointed a small covey of bobwhites and when I first saw the heads of a couple of them, I thought they were huns. The flush surprised me but I decided to try and take one anyway. I just hope the rest will multiply. It would be great to have another species to chase around.
No bird can compare to the chukar but those chukar hills are getting steeper. Those little rascals could provide a great challenge.
One other surprise was this coyote who seemed oblivious to me and the dogs. He stood around long enough for me to get a few pictures and than trotted off in search of it’s prey.
So, Merry Christmas to all. Yes, we love our dogs and hunting, but it’s family time. Love them like you have never loved before and don’t be afraid to tell them so. Even tough guys can say I love you. Hug them like it’s the last time you’ll ever see them. You never know when the last time will be the last time. Family is the most important thing in this world and when you lose a member it is the most painful experience you’ll ever feel.
I’d give up all my chukar days just for one more day with my daughter.
The Reigning Chukar Champions 
Thanks for this post, you do outstanding documentation and are a fun read for the suburban dog dudes like me.
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Thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope the remainder of the year provides many opportunities for you and your dogs.
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As you know, we both share the love of bird hunting, but both of us have experienced loss of our daughters which will carry with us the rest of our lives. Your closing words certainly hit home to me, and I know exactly how you feel. Please give our best to Barbara. We are in sunny AZ in search of rather scarce quail ,but at least we are out nearly every day walking our dogs and shotguns. Happy Holidays.
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Greg, thank you so much. Happy Holidays to you and Sherry also. Save some of those birds for seed. Barb and I are going to start traveling some next year. We’ll be looking for some warmer weather to exercise the dogs.
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Very interesting day! I have never seen a wild bobwhite.
Thanks for the good advice regarding family. We will be with a few of ours then headed back south.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Larry
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I have seen a few in the past that could have possibly been from someone training with them early in the season but these were far off any beaten path and pretty late in the season to be from early season training. Just hoping probably. Be safe on your trip south and Merry Christmas to you and your family also.
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Larry Merry Christmas to you and all. Love reading your posts and just wish I could get the photos you can when I’m hunting in Nevada. Seems as though I get caught up with the Adrenalin rush and can’t get it together. When Gambels and Scalies return in good numbers near Sunazona AZ. I will let you know. Thank You.
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Larry forgot to mention those Coyotes are hard on ground nesting birds. We blast them whenever we can. Here where I live in So. Utah there is a $ 50. bounty on each one. Hopefully Nevada will come around and start a bounty. it will in time make a difference.
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Wayne, Merry Christmas to you also. Trust me, my dogs get pretty down on me when I don’t get a shot because of the camera. Thanks about the quail in Arizona. We’ve been blessed with mild weather so far this year but Barb and I are looking to spread our wings to warmer country in mid December and January of coming years.
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