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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Birthday: thanks for the kind wishes, yes we hunted! |
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Posted:
Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:56 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2127
Location: Hudson,Wy
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I would certainly like to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday. As many suspected, Mr. Rusty and I did go hunting. I even drove the big old classic truck, because well, what else would I want to drive on a special day? I drove it today also, but mostly because things turned into "March of the Penguins" around here today; there were vehicles overturned in the ditch when I came home from my blizzard duck hunt.
But anyway, back to the birthday hunt. Weather Thursday was as perfect as in any outdoor novel. 40 degree, light breeze and sunny perfect. The quarry of choice? Chukars, delightful little chukars! The area I chose can have birds anywhere from the road ditch clear to the top of the mountain.
I parked fairly low on the mountain, uncased the Lefever DS 16, and gave the lower reaches a quick lap. Rusty acted "birdy" a few times, once so emphatically that my pulse raced and I was absolutely certain the moment of truth was at hand...but never was. A quick stop at the truck, and up the mountain the two of us ventured. I could have drove further up, parked again, and hunted down, but then the journey back, once tired and exhausted, would have been all up hill. It's best to do all of the climbing while still fresh and when the bag is empty.
A couple miles above my truck, he got red hot on the scent. That old child like giddiness came on strong and then I saw it, a head, a bird's head atop a stretched neck no less. Oh my did it look big. It was big. Three sage grouse took to the air and I tipped my brim to them. Sage grouse season closed Sept. 30. I finally conceded the need to go into the adjacent canyon, where the water was. Things were wet recently, but parched earth erases that quickly. No sooner had we descended most of the way in when I heard a gentle whir. Not the type of ruckus associated with panicked fowl, but stubby wings nonetheless. I turned to see a chukar now eyeing us from a lofty perch. After satisfying his curiosity he turned and casually strolled back from the edge and out of sight. Insolent devil. Where there is one there are more and a new course was plotted, back up and around.
Soon things got busy, Rusty with his chores, and the Lefever with it's roars. This covey started out split up in two bunches of about ten a piece, giving plenty of opportunities. Chukars tend to drop anywhere but where you shoot them and gravity made certain that all five of Rusty's retrieves came from the rock and brush bottom of the canyon. Oh my do I love that dog!
We took a long break beneath the scattered cottonwoods and willows. While kicked back with snacks and water I could hear the chattering of chukars around us. Soon one sprinted across between two rock outcroppings about 100 yards above, followed by another a short few minutes later. Good show indeed. The long downhill hike back to the old rumbly Ford carried the satisfaction of a day properly spent and the promise of a nice dinner with Mom a few hours later. Yes, it truly was a "happy birthday".
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Last edited by WyoChukar on Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:29 pm; edited 1 time in total _________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:59 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2127
Location: Hudson,Wy
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More of Rusty. Have I mentioned that I am tremendously fond of him?
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_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:31 am
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Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 1946
Location: Central CT
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Spectacular!!! |
_________________ Mark |
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Posted:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:52 am
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Joined: 13 Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Location: North Georgia
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What ever the remainder of the day holds, I can say that I've had a great start.
Thanks for the post Wyo.
Howard
p.s. - good on ya' Rusty!!! |
_________________ can't never could...wont never will |
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Posted:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 12:51 pm
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Member
Joined: 18 Aug 2010
Posts: 400
Location: Ballymoney Northern Ireland
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Great way to spend your Birthday and thanks for sharing your amazing photos ,I wish you many more Birthdays ,WJ |
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