A couple of different hunts

I’m continuing to whine as I chukar hunt thinking that someone will care, but I haven’t found that person yet. But the truth is I’m tickled to be able to get out there with the boys even if it is slow going. I’m able to make it about four miles on a hunt and gain about 1000 feet in elevation. Jake does about four times what I get and Grady a little more than five times. The biggest problem I am now having is getting to the points.

I have to meander up the mountain when the boys are on point and many times, by the time I get there, the dogs have broke. I don’t know why and usually don’t see the birds but it happens way too many times. I don’t remember that happening before I injured myself and don’t know how to correct a problem I can’t see so I’ll live with it for now. I’m still getting some pictures and birds.

One of the hunts, I moved in on Grady’s point to have a deer jump up in front of him. I dismissed the point and turned around to hear a covey of chukars flush. One of the golden rules to owning a bird dog. Always trust him.

Approaching the points is more difficult since I can’t go straight up or down the hill. I have to meander slowly to get to where I want to be and maybe that is confusing the dogs some.

Sometimes it takes up to 15 minutes to get to the points, even down hill. But some of the times we make it work.

I’ve never enjoyed game trails as much as I do this year. Especially on the snowy north slopes. They are still covered with snow and I try to avoid those slopes the best I can. Even when I see a covey land on them.

A person can always find a positive to a hunt. Mine is my shooting. My shooting percentage is better this year than any year I have kept track. Probably because I am so focused on each step, making sure of my footing. And, I usually get only one shot.

And by taking my time I seem to be connecting more.

Although we’re not getting limits very often we are appreciating every point much more this year.

And the dogs are appreciating being able to get birds in the mouth.

So as you can see, things are going pretty well for me and the boys but todays hunt found something that blew me away. Alan’s going to love this.

The temperature for the last two weeks has not got above 38 degrees and the night temperatures have been down to the teens. Grady was on point just over the ridge and Jake was honoring about thirty yards away. I didn’t get to see the point so I can’t say how rigid it was but as I got close Grady jumped back and I saw a snake jump at him. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It couldn’t have been much above freezing. I was very disappointed that Grady even got close enough to the snake to have him strike at him. It is not the reaction he has been taught.

This snake was not lethargic at all. It was hissing and acting not happy to have us around. I stuck my shotgun barrel down towards him and he had no problem extending it’s body to strike at it. I’m sure the ground was a little warmer but not so warm that the snake should be away from it’s den. There were still patches of snow not too far from it.

It’s been a very different year for me and this one really surprised me. I’m sure if Alan still reads my posts that this is freaking him out. He doesn’t like snakes and always waits until it is cool enough to put the snakes away before he goes out. This may make him look for even cooler weather before he goes on his first hunt.

Good luck out there.