Pheasant Camp 2011: Part 4

Sunday morning, we woke up to cold and windy. In all honesty, this was was nothing we weren't prepared for. We were walking the east end of the section this time that consists of the deeper ravines and valleys. We pull birds out of this every year and this one was no exception. First bird to flush was right across Austin and I. I gave him an eternity to shoot and nothing happened so I took care of business. I don't ever get to gloat, but I really couldn't miss this trip.

It may not look like it but the next bird was on it's way down by the time I got any shots off. Austin and Dad were on the ball this time.

Again, the birds were holding close because of the stiff, cold, wind and the birds are down before many shots can be fired. My cousin Brian had radar lock on this one and made short work of it.

At one point we pulled down a bird but were unable to make an ideal shot, and we crippled a bird. The bird was marked but not dead. A busted leg would hopefully keep it down and let the dogs do the rest of the work. Rachel got footage of the result. Bird flies away without one of us bringing it down.

It was time to take on the other side. We crossed the creek and took a group photo.

We took our positions and Cuba, Al's pup went right to work flushing a big mature rooster that Uncle Paul Johnson and Al brought down swiftly. We slowly pushed our way forward and watched as Cuba again pushed a bird around. Hen this time but he worked hard for it. There was a pause then Mocha, Dad's pup went on a hard point. All hell broke loose as a covey of gray partridge broke from the side hill, a couple folded when all was said and done. There was a little island that Brian and Nick headed out to see if there were birds as years past had produced. We watched as many pheasants and a few partridge busted from a patch the size of a semi trailer and we marked one that landed. No birds for Nick and Brian but Austin and Dad found the marked partridge. From a distance we see the small upland bird flush, a POOF, and then hear two simultaneous shots. Too cool! We continue on our push and follow the dog as usual. We hit a spot and find a bird.



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