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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ 2018 Hunting Season Photos - Let's See Them |
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Posted:
Wed Feb 20, 2019 10:30 pm
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Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2006
Posts: 507
Location: Black Hills of SD
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I've been away from this site and others for most of the past couple years. Moved to the Black Hills in Oct. 2017, and the prep for home sale, building a new home, moving and getting settled all took away the time I was spending online. Did hardly any bird hunting that fall, but got out chasing pheasants pretty often this past season.
Closed it out on Friday, Jan. 4th. It was a sweet day with my spaniel girls, with a touch of the bittersweet too, because it may have been my last hunt with 13 year old Zuni, who's been limping on a damaged shoulder for a couple years.
It was a glorious day on the South Dakota west river grasslands -- 50 degrees, moderate winds, a couple inches of melting snow -- ideal for dog work. I was glad to make a clean kill shot for her late in the day, dropping this big long-tailed and long-spurred rooster. We were hunting downwind, parallel to a shallow draw, and the bird flushed ahead of her from waste-high grass before she took scent. Though her eyes are cloudy and her hearing is poor, she marked the flush and the fall, worked her way on that line through the dense grass cover, and then down into the snow-flattened grass of the draw -- where I could see it fallen.
I watched as she passed the bird -- still downwind from her -- then turned back as she caught scent, quickly homed in and picked it up. Her eyes found me as I stepped down into the draw, and she came in at a trot, her familiar prancing retrieve, head high, tail high and wagging. After she released to my hand we had quite the celebration. I stroked her and praised her to the skies as she licked my face -- perhaps a final keeper memory of our hunting years.
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Posted:
Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:00 am
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2126
Location: Hudson,Wy
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I know the feeling. I remember my dog Katie's final retrieve. It was a very warm September day, plumb hot down in the valley. I was hunting in short pants at 8000' elevation to put that in perspective.
It was a blue grouse hunt with her and the then new pup, Rusty. I scored a double, something I have very seldom done with blues. Rusty took care of the bird that dropped clean. Cloudy eyed, deaf little Katie tore down the mountain for the winged bird that was now running hard. It was short hunt and I nearly had to carry her back down to the Samurai. I knew right then and there that it would be her last. |
_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Thu Feb 21, 2019 12:26 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2799
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Gentlemen,
Having lost 4 dogs in the past 2 years to old age I can associate with your mental state.
God only gives us a short time with our hunting companions, I have been luck down thru the years that most all my dogs lived to be very old age and were in the field & forest with me till almost the very end.
Your memories will last a life time, and the dogs will be waiting for you as you cross thru the gates.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
Pine Creek Penny our incredible Gordon Grouse dog is now 14, this season was her last on the big mountain. Retired fully now we have a new Gordon pup for her to help train, her name is Pine Creek Shadow.
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Pine Creek Shadow - A Clearcut Kennel pup.
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_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:29 pm
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Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2006
Posts: 507
Location: Black Hills of SD
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Love the intense eyes and your old girl Penny's pretty face -- and the bird is awful pretty too! |
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Posted:
Fri Feb 22, 2019 5:18 am
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Joined: 19 Jun 2004
Posts: 1480
Location: Mpls, MN.
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Good to see you posting, Jay. Any chance you will show at the Sweet 16?
Be well.
Best,
Ted |
_________________ "Well sir, stupidity isn't technically against the law, and on that note, I'll remove the handcuffs and you are free to go". |
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Posted:
Fri Feb 22, 2019 11:01 am
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2799
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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gunflintcharlie,
Thanks much for the complements especially as to Penny, we appreciate it.
Pine Creek/Dave
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 24, 2019 1:44 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2126
Location: Hudson,Wy
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I'm late to the party again, but after scrolling back though everyone of the pics in this thread while away from home (missing the bird season you know), I resolved to dig up some more pictures for all to enjoy.
Note in the final photo that Rusty is looking over at a second bird in the snow while retrieving the first. It was one of those "double and call it good" days close to home with one of the local coveys I was carefully rationing throughout the season.
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_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 24, 2019 3:22 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2799
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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WyoChukar,
Man you got to quit leaving your old cars out in your hunting habitat!
Only kidding buddy, great pictures once again.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Wed Feb 27, 2019 3:13 pm
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Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 1943
Location: Lowcountry Ga.
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While there is one more day of snipe season, this was my closer of snipe and "small" bird season. The Main Event starts next month.
I started this morning hunting by myself, and struggled with birds getting up out of range. I ended teaming up with John and Bob who changed plans at last minute to go. Three of us kept them moving from field to field. Gun is my 93 year-old Darne R-10 16 ga. which is the toughest 16 I have and that includes my pumps. Gil
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Posted:
Wed Feb 27, 2019 7:44 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2799
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Gil S,
Looks like some good eating there sir!
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Thu Feb 28, 2019 10:51 am
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Member
Joined: 18 Aug 2010
Posts: 399
Location: Ballymoney Northern Ireland
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Good Sniping Gil ,must have been some great shots thanks for sharing your photo ,
Wyo brilliant photos as always ,yes love that one where Rusty is thinking I will be back for you in a minute 😁
Going to miss all the hunting photos over the summer ,WJ |
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Posted:
Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:55 pm
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Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2006
Posts: 507
Location: Black Hills of SD
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Hey Ted, thanks for the welcome back! Not ruling it out, but probably won't drive the 10 hours to this year's Sweet 16 shoot in S. St. Paul.
BTW, I think the last time I was here, you'd gotten kinda fed up and were gone. Good to see you back here too!
Jay |
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Posted:
Sat Mar 16, 2019 5:32 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2799
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Gentlemen,
Yes hunting season is over, however April brings Fly Fishing for trout! I enjoy this big time also. Nothing better than a mountain stream loaded with native trout and some stockiest also.
Pine Creek/Dave
F.E. Thomas Man
Fly Fishing and Grouse/Woodcock hunting - what a way of life!
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_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Sat Mar 16, 2019 6:59 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2126
Location: Hudson,Wy
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Went flyfishing Tuesday. It was pretty slow but we caught a few large fish. Walleye fishing that night was actually decent, so who knows. Usually when one type of fish is turned off, they all are. I'm looking forward to getting up in the high country for golden trout, but that's not going to happen for a while. Our low country lakes still have two feet of ice. I can only imagine how thick things are above 10,000'. |
_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:20 pm
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Joined: 31 Jan 2019
Posts: 55
Location: Idaho
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Few pics from 2018 season. Sorry no 16’s in the pics.
First is an hour and a half’s hunt with my Citori Superlight 28
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My big male Britt on some quail with friend Doc’s male Britt backing
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Two of Doc’s Britts on the right with my female on the rleft. Was a nice covey. About 15 birds.
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My male Britt with two of Doc’s dogs. Have about 8 quail pinned down. We were limited out. But it was a nice point and back.
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My female pup. She is 10 months now. This pic of her pointing a quail was taken when she was about 8 months old.
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Thankis for letting me share! |
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