Northern Pine County, MN. outside of Nickerson. A couple of Setters ago. Hard, driving rain, the day didn't start out that way, and the only birds I saw all day were a twosome of first year ruffed grouse my Gordon pointed, presenting an actual double, which, oddly enough, I nailed. Gun is my favored grouse gun, a 12 gauge Darne R10 with sling, and, choked less and none.
The dog retrived both. I was so soaking wet I almost passed on the photo op.
Current Setter, she was still a baby. Red Lake WMA, northern MN. This bird had been shot at previous to me making contact with it, it had lost the use of one leg, and was perched in a tree, and exited when my head was about 5" from it. I hadn't seen it and was startled out of my shorts. It came down after I shot into an area of pine slashing, where the trees were cut off about knee level, and left on the ground, with weeds growing over them for a few seasons. It was a complete hell hole of a place to try to find a bird, but, the little lady to my left did just that. She didn't retrieve it, she didn't point it, but, she found it. The gun is my Darne 20 gauge that I discovered is choked like a goose gun, after I made the trip.
It was a good day.
Same trip. I love the look on Louie's face, we are taking a break from beating all the chicks off of me, they constantly pursue me wherever I go up there.
Did I say chicks? Sorry, I meant ticks. Hoardes of ticks.
Best,
Ted
