We were perhaps a week early. There was plenty of green foliage, and plenty of birds. Louise, the 2 year old setter that had been deathly ill for most of her first year, became aquainted with ruffed grouse, pointed a few, bumped a couple, but, was well in range and under control, most of the time. She is coming along, but, much more remains to be done, including a lot of work on retrieve-she is not a natural, unfortunately. We got a lot of practice on hand signals, back and forth across the logging roads, and she has that mostly mastered. She understands "whoa" and is not gunshy. It was a bit too hot for excellent dog work in the afternoons. I want to get her on a few more grouse before the completely different game that is pheasant hunting begins. But, I'm OK with where we are.
I had a first year 20 gauge model 1912 WInchester along, that has new wood, new blue, 25" barrel with the full choke opened to loose modified, and a big button lefty safety installed, but it only came out of the case long enough for Lloyd to look at it. The Darne 20 is my date in that place, at that time.
I had a great time. I'm lucky to have friends like Lloyd.
Best,
Ted
