Went out this morning to do chores, and thought, as I was pulling hay down, Nebraska Pheasants must start pretty quick..Back in the house for my 2nd cup of coffee , might as well buy a Ne. licence while I am drinking it. S**t, Starts today! Went through 3 pieces of plastic, all rejected "Invalid Account" before I figured out, it didnt like Debit cards...I dont have a Credit card and Diane is in Nebraska at her moms. Wait! I remember her getting a new or replacemnt one just yesterday..Found it, called the number got it validiated, Nebraska liked that one..Got Licence...Need gun, There is a Lefever "H" in the mud room, the one Mr. Joe Wood says has No, none Nada zip chokes,and he suspects was used as a surrigate fence post..I like it...Next Vest and shells. Out to the shop, found vest, shell cabinet is locked (why?). Have no idea where is the key...Back to house spot Box of RST's on the table in the mud room? Right, Steve Bertram left them when he was last here. 11 shells? plenty..Look for Boots,remember they are still in the "Base Camp" since 2 weeks agos elk hunt...Got em...Grab training collar from the 3 on the counter...pick the only one that lights up, and transmiitter...OK here we go, Dieseled up Old Smokey yesterday, 113 bucks...Down the road. Get to the blacktop, can't remember if I turned off the water in the corral...Back to house...water not running cuz I never turned it on, fill tank, back on the road...Since I hadnt called anyone, I will hunt a public access area North and West of Benkleman..Get there, GREAT! no one here, got it all to myself...Park truck, check signs..No longer say "public Access" now say "no hunting" Put old smokey back on the road head for Benkelman to get map at Co-OP.. Mike Rooney (Democrat) is filling his truck..."Mike, can I hunt your old place at Stratton?, sure go ahead". Prolly would have hunted it anyhow if I had thought of it,him being a Democrat and all...Get there, pull in the yard. Tell Flash to stay, get out, put on vest, get "H" from behind the seat, put it on the hood. Put collar on flash, grab transmitter..oops, not a transmitter, 2 way radio...Mutter short prayer for good dog behavior. Let flash out, pause to evacuate bladder (take a leak). Zip up ,grab gun. Flash is standing by the old feed lot looking dopey. Whats with that? Too much time with Amarillo Mikes dogs? Walk over gun open, hand in vest looking for shells. Tell Flash "hunt em up"..Ok sez he , jumps into feed lot, 913 Pheasants flush! Get one shell in gun, kill rooster to the left, falls in yard. Get another shell in, step into cover, kill one more right off the muzzle..Thank God for no chokes and bad shooting. Hear Flash barking, chasing a rabbit back toward the old junk cars. Walk over to pick up 2nd bird, 213 more birds flush from behind old loafing shed. Shoot the tail feathers off one with the right bbl, kilt it dead with the left. Walk back to truck, maybe 30 feet, with 3 roosters. Flash comes from rabbit adventure, sez, "that was fun"''Fire up old smokey and head for home..
Total time actually in the field? maybe 7-8 minutes...This proves once again, Dear Friends, that research and careful planning almost always results in a successful hunt..
All Bird counts approximate.
