Friday, August 26, 2011
The eyes have it
I went for a conditioning hike with Riley yesterday. We had to go to the high country to try and find some cooler areas. The area had plenty of old logging roads and game trails but once you got off of them it was very thick. I was very happy to see Riley's range shorten so much due to the thick country. Even with the shorter range I was glad I had my astro and a beeper collar on Riley. The collar said he was on point at 23 yards but I couldn't locate him. I got closer by pushing the locate beep and finally saw him on point in the thick cover. As I approached a grouse flushed but Riley remained motionless. I made as much noise as possible trying to flush another bird with no luck. No matter what I did Riley would not break point or come to me. I finally decided to beat through the brush and get him. I got about three yards away and noticed his eyes fixed on something. I looked for a couple of minutes and decided he must be still pointing the bird that had already flushed. No coaxing would get Riley to move so I reached out to grab him by the collar. As I did a rough grouse flushed right next to my right hand. Scared the crap out of me and Riley was off to find another.
Just wone word. TRUST
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Push yourself
Probably the people that need this advice the most won't be reading this post. They are the people about my age and aren't to savvy about the computer and blogs. All the same I'll try and help those who are getting closer to the middle age.
It seems every time I have started up the hill training dogs or scouting chukar this summer it's been real hard motivating myself. I get started and within a short time I'm thinking maybe I'll make it a short one today. My hips are sore, breathing is labored and in general I feel pooped. But, because of the dogs I push on because I know they need a little more exercise.
What I have found is that every year it seems harder to get started but once the body gets lubed the hills seem a little flatter. Maybe the veins don't transport the oxygen to the muscles as fast as it used to or the heart isn't quite as strong as when I was forty but it seems like the oxygen finally gets distributed through the body and the next ridge doesn't seem quite so far.
Today I started up the hill very early. There were some clouds in the sky as the sun came up which helped the temperature some. I also try to walk the shaded side of the draws when possible to help the dogs. As I mentioned, about a half hour into the trip I was feeling bushed. I decided to get to the top of the first ridge and than decide how long of a trip I wanted to take. Ten minutes later I was there and that burning sensation in my lungs and legs was gone. I looked the country over and made my plans for the rest of our excursion. It was just a matter of pushing myself over the hump.
In my athletic days they used to call it "getting your second wind" or "pushing yourself over the hump". Today I call it just pushing yourself for the pleasure of getting there because of all the great experiences you have had in the past. Most pleasures in life are usually gained through some type of effort and chukar hunting is no different. As you gain a little age it sometimes becomes a great feeling just to push yourself over one more mountain, but that can't be done without getting over the first hump which seems to be the toughest one for me.
When I train or hike I always go with my hunting garb minus the gun. This way I keep reminding myself of what I need to put in which pouch making it more convenient for both me and the dogs.
Today I hiked to the top of this first ridge before I got the good blood running through my body. I picked the farthest knob on the left of this picture as my destination figuring it would produce several coveys of huns and chukars to work the dogs on.
I was a little disappointed in the birds although I saw lots of tracks and dust bowls on the dusty trails But the dog activity helped to keep the blood pumping in anticipation. On the whole trip I only had seven points and honors and three of them were unproductive but the excitement was still there as I walked out in front of the pointing dogs.
I am retired now so I have a lot more time to hike the hills. I go at least twice a week not only because I enjoy it but because I know that if I don't it will be harder to get started again once I slow down. I had a knee replacement five years ago and a few other mishaps that have held me up for a few weeks and each time I felt like I had a gorilla on my back for a month. The conditioning came back but it's a lot easier if you don't let it go. So you guys over 60 keep pushing yourselves and lets not let all the 30 and 40 years old guys have all the fun.
It seems every time I have started up the hill training dogs or scouting chukar this summer it's been real hard motivating myself. I get started and within a short time I'm thinking maybe I'll make it a short one today. My hips are sore, breathing is labored and in general I feel pooped. But, because of the dogs I push on because I know they need a little more exercise.
What I have found is that every year it seems harder to get started but once the body gets lubed the hills seem a little flatter. Maybe the veins don't transport the oxygen to the muscles as fast as it used to or the heart isn't quite as strong as when I was forty but it seems like the oxygen finally gets distributed through the body and the next ridge doesn't seem quite so far.
Today I started up the hill very early. There were some clouds in the sky as the sun came up which helped the temperature some. I also try to walk the shaded side of the draws when possible to help the dogs. As I mentioned, about a half hour into the trip I was feeling bushed. I decided to get to the top of the first ridge and than decide how long of a trip I wanted to take. Ten minutes later I was there and that burning sensation in my lungs and legs was gone. I looked the country over and made my plans for the rest of our excursion. It was just a matter of pushing myself over the hump.
In my athletic days they used to call it "getting your second wind" or "pushing yourself over the hump". Today I call it just pushing yourself for the pleasure of getting there because of all the great experiences you have had in the past. Most pleasures in life are usually gained through some type of effort and chukar hunting is no different. As you gain a little age it sometimes becomes a great feeling just to push yourself over one more mountain, but that can't be done without getting over the first hump which seems to be the toughest one for me.
Today I hiked to the top of this first ridge before I got the good blood running through my body. I picked the farthest knob on the left of this picture as my destination figuring it would produce several coveys of huns and chukars to work the dogs on.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Chukars: The perfect upland dog bird.
Watching a bird dog do his thing can be a fantastic experience. You need birds to make it happen. But which upland species is the best bird for bringing out the best in a dog? You'll probably get as many answers as there are upland birds. Since I am not a world traveler, I have limited experience. My travels have only taken me hunting in four western states where I have hunted pheasant, California quail, bob white quail, sage hen, Hungarian partridge and chukar. Although it is exciting to watch a bird dog work any of the above mentioned birds, I think chukars provide the best over all experience for an upland hunter and his companion.
There is nothing like hearing the flush of a cock pheasant as he takes air. The cackle, brilliant colors, and long tails make the heart pound in both canine and human and that excitement is many times the reason for a missed shot. It takes a good dog to get pheasants to hold and he/she must be a good tracker because crippled pheasant can run a long way and hide in dense cover. But pheasants aren't my number 1 bird for pointing dogs because of the cover they live in. Most times pheasant hunting is done in groups with blockers and pushing the birds. When a dog is on point it usually is heavy enough cover that you can't enjoy the beauty of the staunch point. Also many times you don't know whether the dog is retrieving the bird until he is within a few yards. Another negative when pheasant hunting, in my opinion, is that there is a lot of human noise since the hunting is usually done in groups. Human noises can be distracting to dogs, which takes away from the hunting experience.
Quail are a fast action bird. When you find the birds there is usually a lot of shooting in a short order. That is probably one of the best reasons to take youths quail hunting. They need action to keep them involved. But quail aren't the best bird for a pointing dog. Once again the quail like thick cover to retreat to. Many times you know your dog is in there on point but can't see him. I like walking in front of my pointing dog and doing the flushing which is impossible many of the times. Quail also like to hop from branch to branch in the bushes high over dogs heads which often times will cause many dogs to bark since these birds aren't playing by a pointing dog's rules. That brings me to grouse.
Grouse are a great bird for the solo hunter and dog. There is usually lots of ground to cover and a mixture of thick and open country. Dogs are a little more visible when hunting grouse where I do. My problem with grouse is that often times they fly straight up into the tree close to the point. The dog's see this and soon have their front legs on the tree trunk barking up at the treed bird. I can't force myself to shoot a bird out of the tree or even flying from his perch.
Although I haven't hunted sage hen for twenty or more years, it was more of a slaughter in those years than a hunting experience. When you found the bird they were in such large coveys you had your limit of three in about ten minutes.
I have to lump huns and chukars together as far as the perfect bird for a pointing dog enthusiast. The only real differences between the two as far as hunting is concerned is the terrain and the fact that huns usually take off in one big group while chukars will often have some stragglers.
Chukar hunting, although usually quite hilly, means lots of wide open space. In that space you can usually see a pointing dog ranging at greater distances, which I prefer so I can see the dog work. You sometimes also see flushed birds at a distant, but crap happens. In chukar country you can watch a dog use the wind and slam to point. Also, you learn to appreciate the retrieve of your dog. The country is so steep it often requires a 200 yard retrieve or longer and usually straight back up the hill. Watching a dog make a 10 or 15 minute retrieve is proof of the respect we owe our hunting companions.
As far as the birds themselves, what a ride they can take a hunting dog on. They may not leave as much scent as a pheasant, but what they lack in smell they make up for in numbers. Chukars like to covey up which leaves plenty of scent and some to spare. They move up and down the steep hills and leave plenty of scent in the cheat grass covered slopes. The coveys are usually spread enough to confuse a dog as to where exactly the smell is coming from. Although they do like to run uphill, a good pointing dog can usually stop and hold them in the sparsest of cover. They very seldom fly uphill giving the shooter a reasonable chance of positioning himself for the shot. In my opinion a chukar will hold as long as a quail giving the hunter plenty of time to approach his dog and appreciate the abilities of this canine predator. As I mentioned earlier, chukars don't always flush simultaneously. Quite often there are stragglers. It is always impressive to see your dog hold point while a covey is rising because he is making eye contact with one that is still holding. It is equally impressive to have your dog retrieving a bird uphill and then locking in on another bird while still holding the dead bird.
Obviously the chukar is the bird of choice for me. Because of the open country they dwell in and because of their willingness to hold for a pointing dog. Another pleasure of hunting chukars is generous bag limits and the big country. A person can park his vehicle, start walking and hunt for six or eight hours before returning to the truck. During the excursion it's not unusual to have fifteen or twenty points or more. Just watching the enthusiasm of the dogs as they cut the scent and try to locate the birds is enough for most. Throwing in all the different animals you might see while traversing the hills is another plus to the chukar hunt. Add the different shooting scenarios the flushing birds create and you find the chukar a formidable opponent for both you and your dog.
I have never had a bad chukar hunt. I enjoy every one because of the great dog work. But success is only when I have combined my ability as a human with my dogs predatory advantage and bring home some meat. Chukars and chukar country provide the perfect challenge for me and my dogs.
There is nothing like hearing the flush of a cock pheasant as he takes air. The cackle, brilliant colors, and long tails make the heart pound in both canine and human and that excitement is many times the reason for a missed shot. It takes a good dog to get pheasants to hold and he/she must be a good tracker because crippled pheasant can run a long way and hide in dense cover. But pheasants aren't my number 1 bird for pointing dogs because of the cover they live in. Most times pheasant hunting is done in groups with blockers and pushing the birds. When a dog is on point it usually is heavy enough cover that you can't enjoy the beauty of the staunch point. Also many times you don't know whether the dog is retrieving the bird until he is within a few yards. Another negative when pheasant hunting, in my opinion, is that there is a lot of human noise since the hunting is usually done in groups. Human noises can be distracting to dogs, which takes away from the hunting experience.
Quail are a fast action bird. When you find the birds there is usually a lot of shooting in a short order. That is probably one of the best reasons to take youths quail hunting. They need action to keep them involved. But quail aren't the best bird for a pointing dog. Once again the quail like thick cover to retreat to. Many times you know your dog is in there on point but can't see him. I like walking in front of my pointing dog and doing the flushing which is impossible many of the times. Quail also like to hop from branch to branch in the bushes high over dogs heads which often times will cause many dogs to bark since these birds aren't playing by a pointing dog's rules. That brings me to grouse.
Grouse are a great bird for the solo hunter and dog. There is usually lots of ground to cover and a mixture of thick and open country. Dogs are a little more visible when hunting grouse where I do. My problem with grouse is that often times they fly straight up into the tree close to the point. The dog's see this and soon have their front legs on the tree trunk barking up at the treed bird. I can't force myself to shoot a bird out of the tree or even flying from his perch.
Although I haven't hunted sage hen for twenty or more years, it was more of a slaughter in those years than a hunting experience. When you found the bird they were in such large coveys you had your limit of three in about ten minutes.
I have to lump huns and chukars together as far as the perfect bird for a pointing dog enthusiast. The only real differences between the two as far as hunting is concerned is the terrain and the fact that huns usually take off in one big group while chukars will often have some stragglers.
Chukar hunting, although usually quite hilly, means lots of wide open space. In that space you can usually see a pointing dog ranging at greater distances, which I prefer so I can see the dog work. You sometimes also see flushed birds at a distant, but crap happens. In chukar country you can watch a dog use the wind and slam to point. Also, you learn to appreciate the retrieve of your dog. The country is so steep it often requires a 200 yard retrieve or longer and usually straight back up the hill. Watching a dog make a 10 or 15 minute retrieve is proof of the respect we owe our hunting companions.
As far as the birds themselves, what a ride they can take a hunting dog on. They may not leave as much scent as a pheasant, but what they lack in smell they make up for in numbers. Chukars like to covey up which leaves plenty of scent and some to spare. They move up and down the steep hills and leave plenty of scent in the cheat grass covered slopes. The coveys are usually spread enough to confuse a dog as to where exactly the smell is coming from. Although they do like to run uphill, a good pointing dog can usually stop and hold them in the sparsest of cover. They very seldom fly uphill giving the shooter a reasonable chance of positioning himself for the shot. In my opinion a chukar will hold as long as a quail giving the hunter plenty of time to approach his dog and appreciate the abilities of this canine predator. As I mentioned earlier, chukars don't always flush simultaneously. Quite often there are stragglers. It is always impressive to see your dog hold point while a covey is rising because he is making eye contact with one that is still holding. It is equally impressive to have your dog retrieving a bird uphill and then locking in on another bird while still holding the dead bird.
Obviously the chukar is the bird of choice for me. Because of the open country they dwell in and because of their willingness to hold for a pointing dog. Another pleasure of hunting chukars is generous bag limits and the big country. A person can park his vehicle, start walking and hunt for six or eight hours before returning to the truck. During the excursion it's not unusual to have fifteen or twenty points or more. Just watching the enthusiasm of the dogs as they cut the scent and try to locate the birds is enough for most. Throwing in all the different animals you might see while traversing the hills is another plus to the chukar hunt. Add the different shooting scenarios the flushing birds create and you find the chukar a formidable opponent for both you and your dog.
I have never had a bad chukar hunt. I enjoy every one because of the great dog work. But success is only when I have combined my ability as a human with my dogs predatory advantage and bring home some meat. Chukars and chukar country provide the perfect challenge for me and my dogs.
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