doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Favorite Game/Gun Pictures 2025 Season

Cold snap has sent a few birds our way. A little rain didn't hurt. Gil

I love January roosters, two over Tucker and one with Trudy.

Birds continue to trickle south. Yesterday was a milestone for my old dog Abby who turned 15 on the 28th. Just as Billy questioned whether there were any birds on the right side of the road, she spun around and locked down with Willa backing. In the next hour we found 4 birds. Season is coming to a halt on Saturday and today is a day of rest. Tomorrow rain and snow predicted. Problem being bridges will possibly close making the home return difficult. I've enjoyed carrying and shooting my 2" twelves the past half dozen times. Gil

Great to hear about a 15 year old still getting it done! Old bird dogs are the best. Looks like a wonderful way to end the season Gil. Today will be really cold here, season ends tomorrow. I'll give it a go and today and drive back in the morning. It was a very enjoyable season this year, my first with a Setter, can't wait for Sept. the 1st and start all over again.

Gil,
That sounds like pure joy - roaming the winter woods, behind well trained dogs, carrying a two inch twelve, chasing game (especially woodcock). Thanks for sharing the pictures and narratives. I hope the winter weather is not too much of a hardship.

Steve, the amazing part about Abby is that four years ago during the season's end, she had difficulty breathing, and was heavily panting long after the hunt. I immediately took her to the vet who made a preliminary diagnosis that her larynx was showing signs of early paralysis the function of which is to automatically close off the windpipe when swallowing food or water. I was sent to Charleston where experts confirmed the diagnosis but felt that she wasn't at that time a surgery candidate. Eight months on August 24, 2022 her condition had worsened and the surgeon tied one side of the larynx against her trachea permanently opening her larynx. Untreated she would have eventually suffocated. Post surgery I was warned that any vomiting could potentially cause aspiration pneumonia and to not let her swim. That being on my radar, I caught early symptoms which were treated by antibiotics on three occasions. The surgeon told me her hunting days were over. I saw a retired MIchigan State veterinary school professor in a video interview wherein the vet sited studies that dogs post surgery could hunt and swim (as the epiglottis also blocks involuntary water in the lungs) but to only hunt in cool conditions to prevent overheating which dovetails perfectly with our woodcock season. I only hunt in cool to cold conditions as I want to also avoid active snakes. She just completed her fourth season since the surgery and has been remarkable without regard to age. Geriatric Onset of Laryngenal Paralysis Polyneuropathy (GOLPP) typically occurs at age 11 (Bingo!) and is more common in Labs and Goldens, but also occurs in Brittanys. It is a neurological disease which can also affect rear legs. Abby is okay in that regard. Gil

Snow and sleet forecast pushed back to later in the day so I took off hunting. By the time I got to the big bridge, DOT was preparing it for the worst. It's snowing now at home upon my return. Spent a few hours in the woods and the birds had come in better than before since Tuesday. Found 8; got two. Carried my Iside 28 ga. as I had it choked C/IC which is better than what I'd been carrying earlier this week in the same terrain. Time to clean the woodcock gear and get ready for the main event--spring gobblers. Gil

Great way to close out the season, buddy.

Well done!