For those checking in here from time to time to keep track of what happens on canine knee operations, or tplo, we had a new development today. It is week 14 of the right knee operation and week three of the left knee. Everything has been going as planned until yesterday.
Three times yesterday Riley let out a painful yelp as he got up and sprinted to hide behind me. The best way to describe what happened is to see the reaction of a dog shocked with an e collar on high and the dog not knowing where the pain came from so he runs to your side for protection. The pain was obviously of short duration but man was Riley shaking afterwards.
I took Riley in to the vet and we took some xrays to make sure the knees and plates were okay and everything was positive. Dr. Stoehner did mention a small tear in the meniscus of the left knee which he repaired along with the tplo but didn't feel that there was anything else wrong as far as he could see. I remember feeling sharp and quick pains in my knee when I had a torn meniscus that always subsided quickly. That is how Riley reacted yesterday.
All we can do now is watch it and hope it doesn't happen anymore. It possibly might just be some of the soft tissue healing. I'm hopeful that is the problem. If not it's a matter of going back in to try and find the problem. Hopefully arthroscopically.
The big problem I see ahead is knowing which knee might be the problem, since they both have been operated on.
I'm hoping that this is the last of this issue and knee two continues to heal as well as knee one did. If so we'll be on the mtn. pestering chukars by October.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
You'll never walk alone
The title looks familiar. Yeah, I know, it's a famous song. But, yesterday brought a new meaning to those words for me. I went for a long hike to preserve any of the conditioning I still have. I went to a favorite hunting location just so I could see how bad of shape I was really in. With Riley only four days into his second knee surgery and Dakota's hips too bad for such a hike, I went by myself.
I wasn't very high up the mountain when I realized I wasn't alone on the hike. Sure, there was lots of wildlife out there, but my favorite hunting companions were there with me also. They all seemed to be there. Rookie, one of the finest Brittanies I ever saw, was retrieving a chukar from way down by the river. The longest retrieve I have ever seen. He must have stopped and put the bird down at least a dozen times. It was hot and dry but his heart wouldn't let him do anything less than get the bird to me. His heart was as big as the rest of his body.
As I turned from Rookie's great retrieve I was greeted by Allie's smile. She did everything with a smile. Her GSP blood told her to find birds, but the other mix in her sometimes said let's play. As I walked up the hill she stayed within 100 yards as usual, not wanting to miss out on any of the fun I might be having. No birds got by her in that area and since we always hunted with Rookie he was covering the outer edges. She'd much rather honor Rookie anyhow. In fact, if Rookie saw the down bird she'd yield to his retrieve knowing he liked the bird in his mouth much better. Allie was there on the hill with me just like she had been hundreds of times before.
As I watched the two hunt their way to the east, I wasn't surprised to find Tucker coming in from the west. He was making that eye contact with me, like he always did when he had pointed birds long enough for me to get there but I didn't show. I was familiar with the look as he returned to the spot where he backed out of a point on a covey of birds. Sure enough the birds were still there and Tucker made the shooting easier for me by positioning the birds between us. There were times when the aging Brittany hunted with Tucker, who was always willing to let Rookie have the easy retrieves and close points. The miles Tucker put on the year he had to hunt by himself was amazing. But he never faltered. He led me up several ridges teaching me how to hunt chukars properly. On the hike yesterday he was pushing me once again. I could feel it. Just over the next hill and you'll find me on point.
So, up the next ridge I go and sure enough there Tucker is on point. I start towards him when I notice another solid liver GSP on point in front of Tucker. It's Dakota, Tucker's son and Tucker is showing him how to do it with an honor. Gosh, I can't tell you how many thousand's of times I saw the two of them on point honoring each other. It was a sight I never got tired of. Dakota got a lot of his father's abilities, but wasn't quite the athlete. But what a retrieving fool. He never gave up on a downed bird. Although I would have to classify Dakota as a great chukar dog, he never got the glory he deserved being between two great athletes like Tucker and Riley. Riley came along to relieve the pressure on the aging Tucker.
Somehow, as I watched Tucker and Dakota working the hill side another solid liver GSP joined the duo. It wasn't long before they were all on point and honoring each other. For a year the three amigo's worked together producing hundreds of point, honors and retrieves. Riley learned a lot from the dynamic duo that year and now is left to cover the mountain for me in the year of 2012. There won't be no relief pitchers for him this year, but maybe a solid liver pup looms out there for the future.
I wasn't real sure I had room in my heart for another pup but taking this walk yesterday has helped stretch it a little wider. I miss my passed dogs very much but found that they were still with me. All I had to do is take a familiar walk by myself to find that I'LL NEVER WALK ALONE without great memories of my dogs
.
I wasn't very high up the mountain when I realized I wasn't alone on the hike. Sure, there was lots of wildlife out there, but my favorite hunting companions were there with me also. They all seemed to be there. Rookie, one of the finest Brittanies I ever saw, was retrieving a chukar from way down by the river. The longest retrieve I have ever seen. He must have stopped and put the bird down at least a dozen times. It was hot and dry but his heart wouldn't let him do anything less than get the bird to me. His heart was as big as the rest of his body.
As I turned from Rookie's great retrieve I was greeted by Allie's smile. She did everything with a smile. Her GSP blood told her to find birds, but the other mix in her sometimes said let's play. As I walked up the hill she stayed within 100 yards as usual, not wanting to miss out on any of the fun I might be having. No birds got by her in that area and since we always hunted with Rookie he was covering the outer edges. She'd much rather honor Rookie anyhow. In fact, if Rookie saw the down bird she'd yield to his retrieve knowing he liked the bird in his mouth much better. Allie was there on the hill with me just like she had been hundreds of times before.
As I watched the two hunt their way to the east, I wasn't surprised to find Tucker coming in from the west. He was making that eye contact with me, like he always did when he had pointed birds long enough for me to get there but I didn't show. I was familiar with the look as he returned to the spot where he backed out of a point on a covey of birds. Sure enough the birds were still there and Tucker made the shooting easier for me by positioning the birds between us. There were times when the aging Brittany hunted with Tucker, who was always willing to let Rookie have the easy retrieves and close points. The miles Tucker put on the year he had to hunt by himself was amazing. But he never faltered. He led me up several ridges teaching me how to hunt chukars properly. On the hike yesterday he was pushing me once again. I could feel it. Just over the next hill and you'll find me on point.
So, up the next ridge I go and sure enough there Tucker is on point. I start towards him when I notice another solid liver GSP on point in front of Tucker. It's Dakota, Tucker's son and Tucker is showing him how to do it with an honor. Gosh, I can't tell you how many thousand's of times I saw the two of them on point honoring each other. It was a sight I never got tired of. Dakota got a lot of his father's abilities, but wasn't quite the athlete. But what a retrieving fool. He never gave up on a downed bird. Although I would have to classify Dakota as a great chukar dog, he never got the glory he deserved being between two great athletes like Tucker and Riley. Riley came along to relieve the pressure on the aging Tucker.
Somehow, as I watched Tucker and Dakota working the hill side another solid liver GSP joined the duo. It wasn't long before they were all on point and honoring each other. For a year the three amigo's worked together producing hundreds of point, honors and retrieves. Riley learned a lot from the dynamic duo that year and now is left to cover the mountain for me in the year of 2012. There won't be no relief pitchers for him this year, but maybe a solid liver pup looms out there for the future.
I wasn't real sure I had room in my heart for another pup but taking this walk yesterday has helped stretch it a little wider. I miss my passed dogs very much but found that they were still with me. All I had to do is take a familiar walk by myself to find that I'LL NEVER WALK ALONE without great memories of my dogs
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Knee number two
Well, about the time I thought things were getting back to normal, bam, we hit another curve in the trail of year 2012. Riley blew his other knee. I've been noticing for the last couple of weeks that Riley was struggling some to get up from the resting position but thought it was due to fatigue in his repaired knee. Yesterday, on our hike he didn't run much so I figured once again, fatigue from the repaired knee. He went 7 miles and got a couple of nice points on turkeys and spent a lot of time in mud puddles cooling off before coming home.
This morning Riley and I were chasing each other around the field when he suddenly let out a yelp and quit using his hind left leg. Knowing the familiar gait of a bad knee I took Riley in to see our vet, Katie Wright, who diagnosed my fear as being correct. From there she sent me to the surgeon where Riley was scheduled for a Wednesday operation. So we are now braced for another 12 weeks of boredom. I'm not sure which of us this is roughest on.
Dr. Wright told me that when one knee is blown it usually isn't a case of if the second knee is going to go but when. At least the when is over for Riley and hopefully September 15 will see us back chasing chukars and hopefully at 100%.
One other note I might point out. Each of us are built differently. The hills are not the hills for me anymore unless I have my dog with me. I love hiking the hills with my canine partner as much as he enjoys being there with me. So when he is down I am down. Down time is an eternity when you only have 13 or 14 years together. Tucker taught me that it was alright to love my dogs and Riley has taught me how much I need them.
Dr. Wright told me that when one knee is blown it usually isn't a case of if the second knee is going to go but when. At least the when is over for Riley and hopefully September 15 will see us back chasing chukars and hopefully at 100%.
One other note I might point out. Each of us are built differently. The hills are not the hills for me anymore unless I have my dog with me. I love hiking the hills with my canine partner as much as he enjoys being there with me. So when he is down I am down. Down time is an eternity when you only have 13 or 14 years together. Tucker taught me that it was alright to love my dogs and Riley has taught me how much I need them.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
recovery
Alan in Alaska posted me on how Riley and I are doing since our operation. We're both doing great. Riley got his release for mild activities yesterday and I got mine today. Thanks for asking Alan. I've been keeping a weekly update on the Riley's operation post. The next entry in that post will be the xrays showed the bone is healed and it's time for rehabilitation. We're a couple of happy campers.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Chuk fever
Everyone that hunts has heard or been affected by buck fever at one time or another. Buck fever is the excitement you get when you are about to shoot an animal. You loose control and sometimes the ability to even pull the trigger. Well I'm developing a bad case of the opposite, CHUK FEVER.
Chuk fever developed when a person does not get to the hills often enough with his or her canine partner. Whether it is actually hunting for birds, training on birds, conditioning or just hiking the hills where chukars frequent, these are the only way to avoid the disease. I have developed a bad case of chuk fever do to the lack of ability to do all of the above.
In the last two months I've had a shoulder operation and Riley has had a knee operation. My shoulder doesn't hinder us from walking but Riley's knee surgery does. Riley is into his fifth week post op and I finally read the papers sent home with Riley that explains post op procedures and it's going to be three more months before he is allowed to ramble the chukar hills. After reading this, I became even more infected with the chuk fever. Nights are becoming more sleepless. I'm looking for yard work to keep me entertained. I've actually even vacuumed the carpet a few times. Riley enjoys going to the vet now since that's the only place he gets to go these days.. He lies on the floor and watches me do my shoulder exercises with a strange look. I believe he is wondering why I'm doing these pussy exercises instead of taking on the hill like a real man.
Chuk fever causes a man to wander aimlessly. There seems to be no purpose in life. Not only does your dog not understand what is going on, you lose sight of reality. Guns have no meaning and you become frightened of the mountain. You can't defeat it alone. Things that used to be enjoyable seem to have no meaning. I can't even get excited about scouting for turkey because I can't get the drive without my partner. Pacing aimlessly and mowing the lawn have become my only leg exercise. Chuk fever also causes some weight gain. You deny it at firs,t but finally accept the fact when the wife asks if your ever going to wear anything but those old sweats.
Yes, I have a bad case of chuk fever. I've had buck fever before and believe me, out of the two, chuk fever is worse. For three more months I have to fight the affliction and hope that I have the fortitude to stay on course. When the time is up I hope that the mountains are kind to Riley and I and break us in gradually.
Another name for chuk fever might be "jail sentence."
Chuk fever developed when a person does not get to the hills often enough with his or her canine partner. Whether it is actually hunting for birds, training on birds, conditioning or just hiking the hills where chukars frequent, these are the only way to avoid the disease. I have developed a bad case of chuk fever do to the lack of ability to do all of the above.
In the last two months I've had a shoulder operation and Riley has had a knee operation. My shoulder doesn't hinder us from walking but Riley's knee surgery does. Riley is into his fifth week post op and I finally read the papers sent home with Riley that explains post op procedures and it's going to be three more months before he is allowed to ramble the chukar hills. After reading this, I became even more infected with the chuk fever. Nights are becoming more sleepless. I'm looking for yard work to keep me entertained. I've actually even vacuumed the carpet a few times. Riley enjoys going to the vet now since that's the only place he gets to go these days.. He lies on the floor and watches me do my shoulder exercises with a strange look. I believe he is wondering why I'm doing these pussy exercises instead of taking on the hill like a real man.
Chuk fever causes a man to wander aimlessly. There seems to be no purpose in life. Not only does your dog not understand what is going on, you lose sight of reality. Guns have no meaning and you become frightened of the mountain. You can't defeat it alone. Things that used to be enjoyable seem to have no meaning. I can't even get excited about scouting for turkey because I can't get the drive without my partner. Pacing aimlessly and mowing the lawn have become my only leg exercise. Chuk fever also causes some weight gain. You deny it at firs,t but finally accept the fact when the wife asks if your ever going to wear anything but those old sweats.
Yes, I have a bad case of chuk fever. I've had buck fever before and believe me, out of the two, chuk fever is worse. For three more months I have to fight the affliction and hope that I have the fortitude to stay on course. When the time is up I hope that the mountains are kind to Riley and I and break us in gradually.
Another name for chuk fever might be "jail sentence."
Monday, March 26, 2012
Family, friends and dogs
Since February 2 both Riley and I have been recovering from doctor and veterinarian visits. Me with a shoulder operation and Riley with first a hip infection and now a knee operation. If things go the way they should, we will be pretty close to 100% in 8 more weeks. The past two months have given me even more appreciation for my canine partners.
As a human I have many different things to fall upon to help me pass the down time. I have my wife and family to help me in all the things a one armed guy can't do. All those little chores like cleaning up the dog poop still have to be done. They have also helped to keep me entertained by playing word games and bringing the grand children over for entertainment. I also have my friends to humor me with dog stories and travel to sports shows with. What's more I have a dog that helps keep me entertained. With all that Riley has been through he still is always by my side. If I lay on the floor to stretch my arm he is right there either flipping my arm with his nose for a ear rub or shoving a rag in my face trying to get me to play tug of war.
To say that we have become attached at the hip in the last two months would be an understatement. With that, I have come to an understanding of how much we are needed by our dogs. Especially hunting dogs. Think about it. Almost every aspect of a hunting dog's life revolves around one person. Who feeds the dog every day? Who is usually the first person your dog sees in the morning whether he is kenneled or sleeps in the house? Who exercises the dog? Who takes the dog to the hills to hunt birds, the activity he enjoys the most? Our hunting mutts are pretty much dependant upon us.
Riley and I have always been a pretty good team on the hill and now we read each other at home also. He has learned what just about every move I make at home is for, just as I have his. After a therapy session, Riley usually puts his head on my lap as if he knows I'm hurting a little and he has different postures when he is uncomfortable that I pick up on.
I've always known how much our dogs rely upon us, but the last few months have really driven that point home. So, the next time you take a ride somewhere and your dog stares at you from the kennel or house window, consider taking him or her with you. The next time you're eating a treat, share a little with your partner. Remember, all that dog wants in life is to be doing something with you. Give them the attention they give you.
As a human I have many different things to fall upon to help me pass the down time. I have my wife and family to help me in all the things a one armed guy can't do. All those little chores like cleaning up the dog poop still have to be done. They have also helped to keep me entertained by playing word games and bringing the grand children over for entertainment. I also have my friends to humor me with dog stories and travel to sports shows with. What's more I have a dog that helps keep me entertained. With all that Riley has been through he still is always by my side. If I lay on the floor to stretch my arm he is right there either flipping my arm with his nose for a ear rub or shoving a rag in my face trying to get me to play tug of war.
To say that we have become attached at the hip in the last two months would be an understatement. With that, I have come to an understanding of how much we are needed by our dogs. Especially hunting dogs. Think about it. Almost every aspect of a hunting dog's life revolves around one person. Who feeds the dog every day? Who is usually the first person your dog sees in the morning whether he is kenneled or sleeps in the house? Who exercises the dog? Who takes the dog to the hills to hunt birds, the activity he enjoys the most? Our hunting mutts are pretty much dependant upon us.
Riley and I have always been a pretty good team on the hill and now we read each other at home also. He has learned what just about every move I make at home is for, just as I have his. After a therapy session, Riley usually puts his head on my lap as if he knows I'm hurting a little and he has different postures when he is uncomfortable that I pick up on.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Riley's Operation.
Riley's operation has been moved back to the sixth of March from the second. I'm going to post a weekly report of how his recovery is doing so others know what to expect as far as recovery problems, problems around the house and so on. Hopefully chukar hunters will be able to plan there activities a little better knowing what to expect.
The operation is not as simple as just replacing the tendon anymore. They actually cut part of the fibula bone in order to make a more level joint. There will be a metal plate with six screws holding it in place. Normally there are only four screw but Riley is a little bigger than the normal GSP. I'll be bringing him home on the day of the surgery and he's going to be pretty groggy that day and probably the next. He'll be on pain meds and antibiotics for a while and will have to be confined.
The first two days are very critical to not move any more than necessary. A short trip outside to relieve himself is about all he should be doing.
So, I am getting the house ready for rehab. Much the same as for when I had a knee replacement. Placing carpets or non slip material over the slick walking surfaces, making a clear path to the outdoors with no steps, fixing a bed in an area that is easily accessible without climbing and is also soak proof because there will be plenty of drainage and basically making a comfortable area for him. Next we'll be bringing him home.
Day 1 was pretty calm early but by the end of the day he was already wanting to move around more than he was supposed to.
Day six and what an education I'm getting. Especially in pain tolerance. We humans (especially this one) are real fragile (pusses) when it comes to putting up with pain. Keeping Riley calm has been a real chore. I puut my shoes on, he's ready to play, pick up a hat, he's ready to play, head for the garage, he's ready to play, heck if I open my eyes he's ready to play. The farther into this we get the more fired up he is getting.
He had his first check up Friday and the vet says he's looking great. He uses his leg more than I figured he would. I gave up on a friends advice of keeping him in the bathroom, because even in there he is constantly standing, doing circles, reaaranging his bed, and stays pretty active. He still steps up on the couch to sleep without using his leg and the vet says to let him go. Fortunately, he is so tall that it is pretty easy.
This first week has been a real education to me as to how much Riley and I do together. When I work outside he is usually be my side, when I get a treat I get one for him also, when I exercise he always right beside me helping, when I'm scooping poop he is beside me pointing out the next pile, and you probably get the message. He is handling this whole ordeal a lot better than I figured he would.
Tuesday he will have the drain tube removed and have his first laser therapy treatment, whatever that is.
Week two went pretty good. Keeping Riley down is impossible but he hasn't done anything to injure himself. The safest thing to have done would have been to keep him confined to a small room like a bathroom, but I have a hard time keeping my buddy in solitaire. He had all the drain tubes removed and the stitches out of his hip. Antibiotics are done now and he is down to only taking Duramax which seems to be a miracle drug for pets. I have been in contact with several other dog owners that have had great results with the pain killer and antiinflamatory drug.
The laser therapy takes about five minutes and involves putting some type of laser light over the bone area to help in the healing. Riley has turned into the perfect patient. He walks right up to the scale, weighs himself (85 lbs.) and the nurse escorts him to his room. I wish my dr. was that punctual.
So far Riley has been limited to short trips out in the yard and has gotten away with his playful tactics in the house. His stitches come out Tuesday and he can start short (five minute) walks on a leash after that. Luckily my arm is out of the sling now amd I'm sure it will be stretched abundantly by Riley.
Also during this second week, Riley seems to use his leg quite well, not putting a lot of weight on it.
After two long weeks of sleeping on the living room floor with him, I am going back to the comfort of my bed soon and hopefully my lap dog will stop asking for leg massages.
Week three is in the past now. Nothing exciting to report except that the stitches came out and the hair is starting to cover up his scar. Riley still lifts his leg up when he gets going a little faster (which he's not supposed to do) but is now using his leg while walking with very little noticeable limp. Surprisingly he hasn't gained much weight over the three weeks. He's got free range of the house without constant super vision and is now back to jumping up on the bed at nights. He seems to know not to use the bad knee yet for jumping. All in all, week three was not as bad as I expected.
Week four was pretty uneventful. Riley received his last laser therapy treatment and won't see the vet again for four weeks when he'll get his xrays to confirm the healing has been successful. Riley is heavier than he has ever been (90 lbs.). We're walking off leash now and I have to slow him down. Even our thirty minute walks wear him down now. He wears out soon and I think his leg is a little sore after the walks. Riley is starting to use his leg pretty normally.
One other thing at this stage. I have to take walks in areas where there are no birds and without any other dogs. Otherwise Riley makes to many fast moves which could injury his repaired knee.
Week five was pretty much the same as week four. The hair is back and the limp is gone most of the time. I'm extending his walks some but still trying to keep him lower keyed.
Week six. Quite a bit of improvement. Riley gets a little running around time now, even though he is supposed to be still on a leash. I try to keep him from hard jumps or runs and he seems to be handling it. His hair is all grown back now. He is 90 lbs. His limping is limited now although he keeps the weight off it at times.
Week 7 was a a lot like week six. You can't even see where they shaved Riley now. We probably had a little more activity than we were supposed to but Riley handled it just fine. He shows very little limp now. Tuesday will be his xray to make sure the bone has healed up properly. If so we will start a little heavier therapy, I HOPE.
Week 8 came with much anticipation. Riley's xray's came back good with a complete heal of the bone where it was cut and reshaped. The vet gave the okay to start rehab at a slow pace. I also got the go ahead with my shoulder so we are both starting a program to get back into chukar shape. It's going to take a long time. We are both in the worst shape of our lives. I'm taking Riley out in the fields on flat ground for the first week and than we will start some short hill hikes. I don't see Riley limping anymore but he is tiring quickly and when we stop he still keeps most of the weight off his right rear leg.
Week 9 has Riley doing 3 mile hill hikes and doing real well. Just like us humans he tires quickly and is going to have to take some gradual building up miles before he's 100 %. Over all I'm tickled pink and Riley is a lot more happy running the hills. He even got a couple of points today.
Week 10 has Riley doing about 5 miles on our hikes now. He shows no sign of limping while on the hikes but seems to use his shoulders to lift up from the laying position after the walks. Like humans I'm sure he is a little sore so I give him a pain med to help him out. One good thing is, Riley seems to know when enough is enough and slows down.
Week 11 went good for the repaired knee. But, as I was warned could happen, Riley blew his other knee today. So we are about to go back to week 1 with knee two.
The operation is not as simple as just replacing the tendon anymore. They actually cut part of the fibula bone in order to make a more level joint. There will be a metal plate with six screws holding it in place. Normally there are only four screw but Riley is a little bigger than the normal GSP. I'll be bringing him home on the day of the surgery and he's going to be pretty groggy that day and probably the next. He'll be on pain meds and antibiotics for a while and will have to be confined.
The first two days are very critical to not move any more than necessary. A short trip outside to relieve himself is about all he should be doing.
So, I am getting the house ready for rehab. Much the same as for when I had a knee replacement. Placing carpets or non slip material over the slick walking surfaces, making a clear path to the outdoors with no steps, fixing a bed in an area that is easily accessible without climbing and is also soak proof because there will be plenty of drainage and basically making a comfortable area for him. Next we'll be bringing him home.
Day 1 was pretty calm early but by the end of the day he was already wanting to move around more than he was supposed to.
He had his first check up Friday and the vet says he's looking great. He uses his leg more than I figured he would. I gave up on a friends advice of keeping him in the bathroom, because even in there he is constantly standing, doing circles, reaaranging his bed, and stays pretty active. He still steps up on the couch to sleep without using his leg and the vet says to let him go. Fortunately, he is so tall that it is pretty easy.
This first week has been a real education to me as to how much Riley and I do together. When I work outside he is usually be my side, when I get a treat I get one for him also, when I exercise he always right beside me helping, when I'm scooping poop he is beside me pointing out the next pile, and you probably get the message. He is handling this whole ordeal a lot better than I figured he would.
Tuesday he will have the drain tube removed and have his first laser therapy treatment, whatever that is.
Week two went pretty good. Keeping Riley down is impossible but he hasn't done anything to injure himself. The safest thing to have done would have been to keep him confined to a small room like a bathroom, but I have a hard time keeping my buddy in solitaire. He had all the drain tubes removed and the stitches out of his hip. Antibiotics are done now and he is down to only taking Duramax which seems to be a miracle drug for pets. I have been in contact with several other dog owners that have had great results with the pain killer and antiinflamatory drug.
The laser therapy takes about five minutes and involves putting some type of laser light over the bone area to help in the healing. Riley has turned into the perfect patient. He walks right up to the scale, weighs himself (85 lbs.) and the nurse escorts him to his room. I wish my dr. was that punctual.
So far Riley has been limited to short trips out in the yard and has gotten away with his playful tactics in the house. His stitches come out Tuesday and he can start short (five minute) walks on a leash after that. Luckily my arm is out of the sling now amd I'm sure it will be stretched abundantly by Riley.
Also during this second week, Riley seems to use his leg quite well, not putting a lot of weight on it.
Week three is in the past now. Nothing exciting to report except that the stitches came out and the hair is starting to cover up his scar. Riley still lifts his leg up when he gets going a little faster (which he's not supposed to do) but is now using his leg while walking with very little noticeable limp. Surprisingly he hasn't gained much weight over the three weeks. He's got free range of the house without constant super vision and is now back to jumping up on the bed at nights. He seems to know not to use the bad knee yet for jumping. All in all, week three was not as bad as I expected.
Week four was pretty uneventful. Riley received his last laser therapy treatment and won't see the vet again for four weeks when he'll get his xrays to confirm the healing has been successful. Riley is heavier than he has ever been (90 lbs.). We're walking off leash now and I have to slow him down. Even our thirty minute walks wear him down now. He wears out soon and I think his leg is a little sore after the walks. Riley is starting to use his leg pretty normally.
One other thing at this stage. I have to take walks in areas where there are no birds and without any other dogs. Otherwise Riley makes to many fast moves which could injury his repaired knee.
Week five was pretty much the same as week four. The hair is back and the limp is gone most of the time. I'm extending his walks some but still trying to keep him lower keyed.
Week six. Quite a bit of improvement. Riley gets a little running around time now, even though he is supposed to be still on a leash. I try to keep him from hard jumps or runs and he seems to be handling it. His hair is all grown back now. He is 90 lbs. His limping is limited now although he keeps the weight off it at times.
Week 7 was a a lot like week six. You can't even see where they shaved Riley now. We probably had a little more activity than we were supposed to but Riley handled it just fine. He shows very little limp now. Tuesday will be his xray to make sure the bone has healed up properly. If so we will start a little heavier therapy, I HOPE.
Week 8 came with much anticipation. Riley's xray's came back good with a complete heal of the bone where it was cut and reshaped. The vet gave the okay to start rehab at a slow pace. I also got the go ahead with my shoulder so we are both starting a program to get back into chukar shape. It's going to take a long time. We are both in the worst shape of our lives. I'm taking Riley out in the fields on flat ground for the first week and than we will start some short hill hikes. I don't see Riley limping anymore but he is tiring quickly and when we stop he still keeps most of the weight off his right rear leg.
Week 9 has Riley doing 3 mile hill hikes and doing real well. Just like us humans he tires quickly and is going to have to take some gradual building up miles before he's 100 %. Over all I'm tickled pink and Riley is a lot more happy running the hills. He even got a couple of points today.
Week 11 went good for the repaired knee. But, as I was warned could happen, Riley blew his other knee today. So we are about to go back to week 1 with knee two.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
More down time
February has been an exceptionally long month. Not because it has an extra day this year, but because both Riley and I have been on the mend. My shoulder is healing fine and I think we're getting Riley's hip infection under control. But now we have another problem. While we were dealing with Riley's obvious problem (the big lump of fluid developing on his hip) we overlooked his knee. Dr. Katie Wright became concerned that after all the draining and meds that Riley still wouldn't use his right leg. Even though the xrays looked okay and Riley never showed pain in the knee area she felt there was too much movement in the joint and referred me to a specialist. Well Katie nailed it and Riley is going under the knife Friday. February is extending into May for me.
The medical expenses are never enjoyable, but for me, worse than that, is the time lost. Maybe it's because I have very little life beyond hiking the hills with my dogs. There is only Dakota and Riley now and Dakota's age and hips won't let him go far. When I'm healthy, that is usually not enough, so that leaves Riley to entertain me.
We don't only hit the hills just during chukar season, we are up there 12 months of the year. February is usually our slowest month, therefore if there is any patching up on the body it is during this month. We thought we had taken care of this until the knee thing came up. Now, March and April are set aside for healing also. March is usually the training month and April gets me and the dogs out scouting for turkeys in between training sessions.
Hopefully, Riley will be healed enough sometime in May. May and June are our months for hiking and photographing baby animals.
So you see, when one of us his injured, it is down time for both of us. I don't enjoy going to the hills much without Riley and he won't go without me. We're a team and we'll get back in chukar shape together this summer. Maybe this is just the price we have to pay for having so much fun.
As I mentioned before, the biggest thing that Riley and I are losing is time. You can never regain lost time. So whatever it is that you enjoy make sure you make the most of the time you have to do it. You never know when a little set back like this can rob you of some of the most valuable thing we have.
We don't only hit the hills just during chukar season, we are up there 12 months of the year. February is usually our slowest month, therefore if there is any patching up on the body it is during this month. We thought we had taken care of this until the knee thing came up. Now, March and April are set aside for healing also. March is usually the training month and April gets me and the dogs out scouting for turkeys in between training sessions.
Hopefully, Riley will be healed enough sometime in May. May and June are our months for hiking and photographing baby animals.
So you see, when one of us his injured, it is down time for both of us. I don't enjoy going to the hills much without Riley and he won't go without me. We're a team and we'll get back in chukar shape together this summer. Maybe this is just the price we have to pay for having so much fun.
As I mentioned before, the biggest thing that Riley and I are losing is time. You can never regain lost time. So whatever it is that you enjoy make sure you make the most of the time you have to do it. You never know when a little set back like this can rob you of some of the most valuable thing we have.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Gone for a while
Well the season has come to an end for Riley and me. Wow! What a fantastic season we had. The weather cooperated more this year than I can ever remember. Nice dry slopes for 3/4 of the year. And to say there were lots of chukar and huns out there is an understatement.
My shooting was about par for the past 20 years. Birds per hour and per mile about what it has been for as long as I can remember. The hills were still there even though a few of them got a little steeper than I remember in the past, but we still got to the top.
I can't say enough about Riley. He has turned into a chukar getting machine. I don't think there is much he can't do with a chukar. He sometimes seems to know what they are going to do before they do. Riley's pace slowed a little this year. He seems to be more methodical with his pace and finds more birds per mile with less effort. He definitely has a nose and lets it lead him around the mountains. Riley's going to get a little couch time the next week or two.
Hopefully some of injuries and scars will heal up.
He did let me know that these fishing show on T.V. have to go. I'll find him a good hunting channel to watch.
As for me, I'm going to be working to clean up the mess we had up here from the snow we got a few weeks ago followed by a heavy rain storm. Our drive way turned into a river.
I've got two days to get this cleaned up and than I get to have my shoulder operated on. That is followed by an appointment with a long tube on the 9th. You guys over fifty know the procedure I'm talking about. Sometime shortly after that I'm scheduled to get some work done on my left knee because it is feeling a little neglected since my right knee has already been replaced.
Oh ya! I'll get my shotgun back from Browning in May. You remember, it's the gun that took the fall in the place of my body parts on one of my hunts this winter.
Anyhow, it's been a fun year. Since I haven't figured out how to get pictures from most of you guys, I hope maybe you'll send them to Upland Idaho where I can see all the fun things you all are doing while I'm recouping. As soon as I regain the use of my typing finger I'll be back posting on my fun spring outings.
One other thing. Remember guys, the next two and a half months are the best months for training on wild birds. Good Luck.
My shooting was about par for the past 20 years. Birds per hour and per mile about what it has been for as long as I can remember. The hills were still there even though a few of them got a little steeper than I remember in the past, but we still got to the top.
I can't say enough about Riley. He has turned into a chukar getting machine. I don't think there is much he can't do with a chukar. He sometimes seems to know what they are going to do before they do. Riley's pace slowed a little this year. He seems to be more methodical with his pace and finds more birds per mile with less effort. He definitely has a nose and lets it lead him around the mountains. Riley's going to get a little couch time the next week or two.
Oh ya! I'll get my shotgun back from Browning in May. You remember, it's the gun that took the fall in the place of my body parts on one of my hunts this winter.
One other thing. Remember guys, the next two and a half months are the best months for training on wild birds. Good Luck.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The two hour rule
It's pouring rain outside right now and supposed to keep it up most of the day so I have decided to take one of the last six days of the season off. I know, you can't get em if your not out there but a steady rain is not one of my favorite times to hunt. I don't know how productive it would be because I'm too much of a wuss to get out in these conditions and find out. So, Riley and I are sitting here planning the last five days of the season.
Last night I was at the Idaho Fish and Game open house meeting to discuss rule changes on the upland bird seasons. I visited with several fellow chukar hunters, several commissioners, and the bird biologist for the F&G, Jeff Knetter. My discussion with Jeff prompted me to write about my "Two Hour Rule". The past two years I have been participating with the F&G's bird wing program. He said I turn in more bird wings than anyone else and I and a few other hunters were definitely above the norm when it comes to success.
I have hunted with Jeff a few times and he has two great dogs. They have a little longer tails and hair than I care to take care of but I have seen them hunt and they are definitely great chukar dogs. Excuse my spelling, but they are of the Munsterlunder breed and are great bird dogs. I have hunted with several others that have great dogs of many different breeds and although I'm partial to my boys, there is very little bird finding potential between most of them. So having a good dog is not the only answer.
Anyone foolish enough to pursue chukars on a regular base has to be in descent shape and it's not real tough to know where the good chukar country is so why are some people more successful than others?
First off, I'm semi retired, which gives me more than my fair share of time to pursue chukars. That is not only during the season but off season also. I have given up almost all other hunting activities due to my love of my dogs and chasing the chukar allectoris. I try to be in chukar country most of the year with my dogs. I usually stay away and Turkey hunt during the nesting season but am back on the hill when I feel the birds are big enough to handle a little dog work.
Secondly, my dogs only hunt chukars and huns. I don't know if that really makes a difference but I feel like in work there are people that are jack of all trades and master of none and dog's are pretty much the same when it comes to different birds. A great example was last year I dabbled in hunting grouse with Riley. He did a good job but when the chukar season began he was spending as much time running to the nearest draw looking up in the trees or bushes for a perched grouse as he was looking for chukars. The same goes for quail. The way they usually are in big coveys under the brush and scurry around making there little sounds makes it pretty tough on a pointing dog. It also makes it tough on the hunter who has trained his pointing dog to hold until he flushes the birds. You don't get much shooting as you walk into the thorny cover and the birds finally scoot.
More than the fore mentioned reasons for some being more successful than others is what I call "The Two Hour Rule". It's a simple rule. You just have to prepared to be on the hill for two hours before you get your first shot at a chukar. I'm not saying it always happens that way, but many times that is what might happen. Most hunters give up way too soon. If they haven't found birds within the first hour or two they are back at the truck and driving to a new destination or taking out the fishing pole. When I chukar hunt the truck is parked and I am prepared to hunt that area for the day. Driving time is just waisted hunting time. There have been many times that I have walked for a couple of hours or more and never had a point or seen a bird. I often start feeling like it's going to be a bad bird day and then I remind myself of the words of a hunting partner of mine, Tom Thorpe, who passed away from cancer. You Gotta Believe.
Believing that it's gonna happen and pushing on usually makes it happen. Suddenly you are into the birds and the previous two hours of hiking the chukar mountains pays off. In the next hour you have more points and shots than you could have imagined happening because it's been so slow up until now. After you have either got x number of birds or depleted the shells in your vest you start your return journey to the rig. Usually it doesn't take as long on the return trip because your mind is consumed with the recent memories of great points and shots or maybe with discuss in how one person can miss so many easy shots after a dog works so hard to get you to that point. Either way you make it back to the truck with your trusty companion.
As you drive home with a tired dog sleeping in the passenger seat, also appropriately known as sitting shotgun, you plan your next hunt and wonder if the "Two Hour Rule" is going to apply again on that hunt. Are the birds going to be two hours away from the truck? Probably, so be prepared to suck it up, your canine partner is.
Last night I was at the Idaho Fish and Game open house meeting to discuss rule changes on the upland bird seasons. I visited with several fellow chukar hunters, several commissioners, and the bird biologist for the F&G, Jeff Knetter. My discussion with Jeff prompted me to write about my "Two Hour Rule". The past two years I have been participating with the F&G's bird wing program. He said I turn in more bird wings than anyone else and I and a few other hunters were definitely above the norm when it comes to success.
I have hunted with Jeff a few times and he has two great dogs. They have a little longer tails and hair than I care to take care of but I have seen them hunt and they are definitely great chukar dogs. Excuse my spelling, but they are of the Munsterlunder breed and are great bird dogs. I have hunted with several others that have great dogs of many different breeds and although I'm partial to my boys, there is very little bird finding potential between most of them. So having a good dog is not the only answer.
Anyone foolish enough to pursue chukars on a regular base has to be in descent shape and it's not real tough to know where the good chukar country is so why are some people more successful than others?
First off, I'm semi retired, which gives me more than my fair share of time to pursue chukars. That is not only during the season but off season also. I have given up almost all other hunting activities due to my love of my dogs and chasing the chukar allectoris. I try to be in chukar country most of the year with my dogs. I usually stay away and Turkey hunt during the nesting season but am back on the hill when I feel the birds are big enough to handle a little dog work.
Secondly, my dogs only hunt chukars and huns. I don't know if that really makes a difference but I feel like in work there are people that are jack of all trades and master of none and dog's are pretty much the same when it comes to different birds. A great example was last year I dabbled in hunting grouse with Riley. He did a good job but when the chukar season began he was spending as much time running to the nearest draw looking up in the trees or bushes for a perched grouse as he was looking for chukars. The same goes for quail. The way they usually are in big coveys under the brush and scurry around making there little sounds makes it pretty tough on a pointing dog. It also makes it tough on the hunter who has trained his pointing dog to hold until he flushes the birds. You don't get much shooting as you walk into the thorny cover and the birds finally scoot.
More than the fore mentioned reasons for some being more successful than others is what I call "The Two Hour Rule". It's a simple rule. You just have to prepared to be on the hill for two hours before you get your first shot at a chukar. I'm not saying it always happens that way, but many times that is what might happen. Most hunters give up way too soon. If they haven't found birds within the first hour or two they are back at the truck and driving to a new destination or taking out the fishing pole. When I chukar hunt the truck is parked and I am prepared to hunt that area for the day. Driving time is just waisted hunting time. There have been many times that I have walked for a couple of hours or more and never had a point or seen a bird. I often start feeling like it's going to be a bad bird day and then I remind myself of the words of a hunting partner of mine, Tom Thorpe, who passed away from cancer. You Gotta Believe.
Believing that it's gonna happen and pushing on usually makes it happen. Suddenly you are into the birds and the previous two hours of hiking the chukar mountains pays off. In the next hour you have more points and shots than you could have imagined happening because it's been so slow up until now. After you have either got x number of birds or depleted the shells in your vest you start your return journey to the rig. Usually it doesn't take as long on the return trip because your mind is consumed with the recent memories of great points and shots or maybe with discuss in how one person can miss so many easy shots after a dog works so hard to get you to that point. Either way you make it back to the truck with your trusty companion.
As you drive home with a tired dog sleeping in the passenger seat, also appropriately known as sitting shotgun, you plan your next hunt and wonder if the "Two Hour Rule" is going to apply again on that hunt. Are the birds going to be two hours away from the truck? Probably, so be prepared to suck it up, your canine partner is.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Zone
For the first time this year it's putting down some serious snow outside. The kind of snow that says it's better to stay off the roads. So, I decided to hang out in the warm house and reminisce over my chukar hunt two days ago. Nothing was special about this hunt but my poor shooting brought home the importance of a good hunting dog when it comes to chukar hunting.
Quite often I hear upland hunters say, "it's all about the dog". I have even said that a time or two myself. I, like most other chukar hunters, would never hunt chukars if I didn't have a dog. They are what makes the whole trip exciting and what's more, successful. But, in my opinion, it's not all about the dog but about the teamwork between me and my dog.
There isn't anything more beautiful than a pointing dog locked up on a bird. There's not a bit of movement, tail high (if they have a tail) and you could put a level on their back they are so straight. Thousands of pictures have been taken of dog's that show their ability to lock up on birds or scent of birds. I have hundreds of photos of my dog's on point. But as beautiful as the scene is, it doesn't tell the whole story. The story of how the hunter and the dog got to this moment and what was accomplished by this fantastic ability to hold point.
I hope that nobody takes offense to what I am about to say, but I think there is a lot of difference between a trial dog and a non trial dog's ability. I must admit, I have never been to a dog trial and my knowledge about them is just what I have heard or seen on T.V. It seems to me that those dog's are well trained to accomplish their jobs in a particular way and with a particular style or they are disqualified or not given the style points by the judge. These dogs will still produce birds but I feel they don't have the freedom of a plain old trained hunting dog.
Now, that I have stirred someones blood, let me explain. As the title eludes to, I feel that my dogs and I are often in the zone. You often hear of sports figures being in the zone with either their equipment or with other team mates. Everything is clicking and every movement is in sync. Producing a favorable outcome is almost effortless. It should be no different between a hunter and his dog. They are working for a common goal, and that is to produce birds.
The production of birds doesn't mean just a great point, but what happens during and after the point also. Tucker taught me to give him the freedom to be a bird dog and he would in turn help me get birds. He was the dominant predator and I my job was to close the deal. Now, Riley has taken the position of my prize pointing predator and he continues to amaze me of the canine ability.
Riley is not a huge ranging dog but ranges with a high nose that covers a lot more country than meets the eye. With the latitude I have given him he covers the country in a productive manner and seems to know likely places to find chukars. Just like with Tucker, I know to just follow his lead and we will eventually be into birds. It may be an hour or more before the find, but I know it's going to happen. When it does happen, that is when the teamwork comes into play. Riley and I have been on so many birds that we are most times in the zone with each other. He knows I am coming and how I will probably approach. I know he's not going to break unless there is a good reason. Most of the time the reason is because the birds are no longer there. At that point Riley will relocate on his own without a word from me. There are no deduction points for relocating so get back to do what he does far better than me, relocate them. Sometimes they have already taken flight and many times they have moved away from the original point. Either way, Riley has the freedom to do what he does best.
On our trip two days ago Riley and I were in the zone. The only thing that was in some other zone was my shooting. There is usually something good to say about the bad. This time, because of my poor shooting we had a longer stay on the hill which produced more birds and great dog work. I quit counting productive points at 22. I'll try and describe a few of the encounters so that you might be able to see what I mean by being in the zone and why I love hunting with my dog's so much.
Riley is on point approximately 150 yards away and is patiently waiting for my approach. Since he is below me I position myself to his right so not to shoot over him if the birds flush premature. Riley know that is where I'm coming in from and turns his head slightly to confirm where I am. As I move in front of him and about 20 yards to the right I see the quivering tail suddenly freeze and the intensity magnifies. Obviously he just heard or saw something that made him think they were about to flush. I put my thumb on the safety and sure enough the birds explode on the next step. At this point Riley is looking for a bird to fall. Once again there is no deduction for him breaking so he can continue doing his thing. Since no bird fell and I didn't say dead bird he was off to find the next covey.
On another of his points I had moved about thirty yards out in front of Riley. He hadn't tried to relocate as I slowly progressed in front of him. I always try and move in about twenty yards to one side or the other of Riley as I approach the birds. It's usually to the right but Riley knows where I'm coming in at. Looking back at Riley, he is as tense as the moment I started to pass him. After hundreds of encounters with Riley, I know that means only one thing. The birds are right there. So, I turn and slowly walk towards him. Sure enough, about five yards in front of him a single busts from the cheat. Time in the field with each other has helped us to know what each other are thinking. I could have move another hundred yards down the hill and he would not move.
A prime example of thinking alike is honoring. This is not trained, but Riley honors me, just as Tucker did when he was alive. By honoring, I mean he'll actually stop and not move if he sees me walking slowly with my gun in the ready position. No different than a creeping dog. H e knows to stop and avoid him flushing the birds. The only way you get that is lots of hours in the field together. Riley even does it when we are in the field together without a gun. They sense the moment and are in the same zone that you are.
Another point Riley had that day produced a result I wasn't quite ready for but was pleased with the result. As I approached his point he suddenly busted down the hill about fifty yards and spun to his left and locked in. I figured he was going to bust some birds, which does sometimes happen. The wind was now at his back. I walked towards him and soon flushed about twenty chukars. Obviously he could see them moving away and circled them, trapping them between him and me. It makes you wonder how many times that is what your dog was trying to do when you thought he was just rushing birds. A trial dog would not be allowed to do that because it would enforce bad habits but Riley and I were just in the same zone.
Sometimes Riley just looks me in the eyes and seems to tell me "I know where they are so just follow me." The next thing I know he is heading off to the next ridge where he immediately locks up. I don't know if he saw the birds go there or if he heard them. The one thing I know is that he knew they were there and he set out to show me. So, I headed over that way and about ten minutes later I was flushing a nice covey of chukar. I knew not to slow him down or try and turn him. He was on a mission and if it didn't work out he'd return to me and start on another quest.
Another part of being in the zone is the retrieve. When I do hit the bird, which was happening less that day than missing, I give Riley a lot of room for a retrieve. If it's a single or just a couple of birds he usually sees the bird go down and not a word has to be said. But often times a large covey takes flight in different directions and Riley doesn't see the bird go down. When that happens I can say dead bird and Riley will usually look to me for guidance in direction of the bird. Once he hits the scent it's usually a done deal. But at times I might have to move down the hill in the location of the fallen bird and help Riley in the direction. For a retrieving dog that would probably mean deduction points, but for me and Riley it is team work. I will also side hill to make the ascent easier for Riley on his retrieves. Carrying a bird straight up the hill is a lot of work and I do whatever I can to make it easier for him. Also, Riley would probably get deduction points for not bringing the bird straight to me. For some reason he likes to parade in front of me with the bird for a minute or so to show off his prize. All I have to do is tell him to bring it to me and he will bring it to within a step or closer to me and drop it. Once in a while he'll wait for me to take it from his mouth but not usually. Once again. no points added or deducted, but a bird in the bag.
My main thought here is that we spend so much time together that we usually know what each other is going to do, thus being in the zone. Most of our birds are shot in the manner described earlier, but I am not a purist that says if the bird is not pointed by my dog and flushed by me I won't shoot. There are times when a bird flushes wild through no fault of Riley or mine. If Riley rushes the birds to flight I will not shoot because he is supposed to be a pointing dog, not a flusher. That is the only major rule I have and for that reason Riley and I can enjoy the hunt and quite often be in the zone. To us, Chukar hunting isn't all about the dog but about the team and a finished job together.
Quite often I hear upland hunters say, "it's all about the dog". I have even said that a time or two myself. I, like most other chukar hunters, would never hunt chukars if I didn't have a dog. They are what makes the whole trip exciting and what's more, successful. But, in my opinion, it's not all about the dog but about the teamwork between me and my dog.
There isn't anything more beautiful than a pointing dog locked up on a bird. There's not a bit of movement, tail high (if they have a tail) and you could put a level on their back they are so straight. Thousands of pictures have been taken of dog's that show their ability to lock up on birds or scent of birds. I have hundreds of photos of my dog's on point. But as beautiful as the scene is, it doesn't tell the whole story. The story of how the hunter and the dog got to this moment and what was accomplished by this fantastic ability to hold point.
I hope that nobody takes offense to what I am about to say, but I think there is a lot of difference between a trial dog and a non trial dog's ability. I must admit, I have never been to a dog trial and my knowledge about them is just what I have heard or seen on T.V. It seems to me that those dog's are well trained to accomplish their jobs in a particular way and with a particular style or they are disqualified or not given the style points by the judge. These dogs will still produce birds but I feel they don't have the freedom of a plain old trained hunting dog.
Now, that I have stirred someones blood, let me explain. As the title eludes to, I feel that my dogs and I are often in the zone. You often hear of sports figures being in the zone with either their equipment or with other team mates. Everything is clicking and every movement is in sync. Producing a favorable outcome is almost effortless. It should be no different between a hunter and his dog. They are working for a common goal, and that is to produce birds.
The production of birds doesn't mean just a great point, but what happens during and after the point also. Tucker taught me to give him the freedom to be a bird dog and he would in turn help me get birds. He was the dominant predator and I my job was to close the deal. Now, Riley has taken the position of my prize pointing predator and he continues to amaze me of the canine ability.
Riley is not a huge ranging dog but ranges with a high nose that covers a lot more country than meets the eye. With the latitude I have given him he covers the country in a productive manner and seems to know likely places to find chukars. Just like with Tucker, I know to just follow his lead and we will eventually be into birds. It may be an hour or more before the find, but I know it's going to happen. When it does happen, that is when the teamwork comes into play. Riley and I have been on so many birds that we are most times in the zone with each other. He knows I am coming and how I will probably approach. I know he's not going to break unless there is a good reason. Most of the time the reason is because the birds are no longer there. At that point Riley will relocate on his own without a word from me. There are no deduction points for relocating so get back to do what he does far better than me, relocate them. Sometimes they have already taken flight and many times they have moved away from the original point. Either way, Riley has the freedom to do what he does best.
On our trip two days ago Riley and I were in the zone. The only thing that was in some other zone was my shooting. There is usually something good to say about the bad. This time, because of my poor shooting we had a longer stay on the hill which produced more birds and great dog work. I quit counting productive points at 22. I'll try and describe a few of the encounters so that you might be able to see what I mean by being in the zone and why I love hunting with my dog's so much.
Riley is on point approximately 150 yards away and is patiently waiting for my approach. Since he is below me I position myself to his right so not to shoot over him if the birds flush premature. Riley know that is where I'm coming in from and turns his head slightly to confirm where I am. As I move in front of him and about 20 yards to the right I see the quivering tail suddenly freeze and the intensity magnifies. Obviously he just heard or saw something that made him think they were about to flush. I put my thumb on the safety and sure enough the birds explode on the next step. At this point Riley is looking for a bird to fall. Once again there is no deduction for him breaking so he can continue doing his thing. Since no bird fell and I didn't say dead bird he was off to find the next covey.
On another of his points I had moved about thirty yards out in front of Riley. He hadn't tried to relocate as I slowly progressed in front of him. I always try and move in about twenty yards to one side or the other of Riley as I approach the birds. It's usually to the right but Riley knows where I'm coming in at. Looking back at Riley, he is as tense as the moment I started to pass him. After hundreds of encounters with Riley, I know that means only one thing. The birds are right there. So, I turn and slowly walk towards him. Sure enough, about five yards in front of him a single busts from the cheat. Time in the field with each other has helped us to know what each other are thinking. I could have move another hundred yards down the hill and he would not move.
A prime example of thinking alike is honoring. This is not trained, but Riley honors me, just as Tucker did when he was alive. By honoring, I mean he'll actually stop and not move if he sees me walking slowly with my gun in the ready position. No different than a creeping dog. H e knows to stop and avoid him flushing the birds. The only way you get that is lots of hours in the field together. Riley even does it when we are in the field together without a gun. They sense the moment and are in the same zone that you are.
Another point Riley had that day produced a result I wasn't quite ready for but was pleased with the result. As I approached his point he suddenly busted down the hill about fifty yards and spun to his left and locked in. I figured he was going to bust some birds, which does sometimes happen. The wind was now at his back. I walked towards him and soon flushed about twenty chukars. Obviously he could see them moving away and circled them, trapping them between him and me. It makes you wonder how many times that is what your dog was trying to do when you thought he was just rushing birds. A trial dog would not be allowed to do that because it would enforce bad habits but Riley and I were just in the same zone.
Sometimes Riley just looks me in the eyes and seems to tell me "I know where they are so just follow me." The next thing I know he is heading off to the next ridge where he immediately locks up. I don't know if he saw the birds go there or if he heard them. The one thing I know is that he knew they were there and he set out to show me. So, I headed over that way and about ten minutes later I was flushing a nice covey of chukar. I knew not to slow him down or try and turn him. He was on a mission and if it didn't work out he'd return to me and start on another quest.
Another part of being in the zone is the retrieve. When I do hit the bird, which was happening less that day than missing, I give Riley a lot of room for a retrieve. If it's a single or just a couple of birds he usually sees the bird go down and not a word has to be said. But often times a large covey takes flight in different directions and Riley doesn't see the bird go down. When that happens I can say dead bird and Riley will usually look to me for guidance in direction of the bird. Once he hits the scent it's usually a done deal. But at times I might have to move down the hill in the location of the fallen bird and help Riley in the direction. For a retrieving dog that would probably mean deduction points, but for me and Riley it is team work. I will also side hill to make the ascent easier for Riley on his retrieves. Carrying a bird straight up the hill is a lot of work and I do whatever I can to make it easier for him. Also, Riley would probably get deduction points for not bringing the bird straight to me. For some reason he likes to parade in front of me with the bird for a minute or so to show off his prize. All I have to do is tell him to bring it to me and he will bring it to within a step or closer to me and drop it. Once in a while he'll wait for me to take it from his mouth but not usually. Once again. no points added or deducted, but a bird in the bag.
My main thought here is that we spend so much time together that we usually know what each other is going to do, thus being in the zone. Most of our birds are shot in the manner described earlier, but I am not a purist that says if the bird is not pointed by my dog and flushed by me I won't shoot. There are times when a bird flushes wild through no fault of Riley or mine. If Riley rushes the birds to flight I will not shoot because he is supposed to be a pointing dog, not a flusher. That is the only major rule I have and for that reason Riley and I can enjoy the hunt and quite often be in the zone. To us, Chukar hunting isn't all about the dog but about the team and a finished job together.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The duct tape eight
As most of you know, each hunting trip is a different journey in itself. Some good and some not so good. My hunt today had a little of everything. Kind of like the Clint Eastwood movie, "The good,bad and the ugly."
The good is that I enjoyed a great day in Oregon chasing chukars and huns and am back here at home telling you about it. The amazing part of the good is I even brought eight birds back with me.
The day started out great. I hadn't been on the hill for a half an hour and Riley pointed the first covey of huns. One shot and a dead hun retrieved to hand. Fifteen minutes later, another point produced another hun from a second covey. Things were looking good and than my brain got in the way. I decided to go higher on the mountain for some chukars.
Riley got a couple points on the way up but I could see the birds running up hill in front of him. He tried to relocate and hold the birds but they finally took flight around the hill. It wasn't long before I saw a couple more covies of chukar flying wild and around the north slope. Figuring that would make a good start on chukars I found a decent deer trail and headed that way with Riley in the lead.
That's when the bad happened. Out of nowhere an elephant crossed the trail and tripped me. I tried to protect my gun but knew I had failed when I heard the cracking sound of wood. I lay there for a few minutes trying to decide whether my head was facing uphill or downhill and than realized my head was uphill because the blood from my nose was dripping on my chin. Not to worry though. Riley was right on that, licking me clean and wondering why I was just laying around. With his encouragement I was soon standing on the trail again. While standing there, I realized that elephant had also stomped on my back and ankle as he left. Boy were they sore.
Well, we can't let a little thing like a fall ruin our hunt. I picked up my shotgun and noticed quite a wobble in the stock and a few pieces missing. Riley was already off finding chukars so I needed to make a plan. The light bulb came on and I remembered the duct tape that I pack in my game vest and retrieved it. With two pieces of cardboard from my candy bar and the duct tape I soon had a firearm that fealt fairly rigid. What was going to happen when I pulled the trigger was a totally different matter.
It wasn't long before Riley was pointing a covey of chukar and waiting for me to make my usual swing into shooting position. As I moved in I thought to myself, "don't be afraid, just keep your eyes open". At the flush of the birds, I shouldered the shotgun and only shot once. Wow! A chukar fell from the sky and my shotgun is still together. I think it was the one I was shooting at. Riley was convinced it was as he retrieved the chukar to me. I can always depend on Riley to believe in me.
I checked the shotgun out and it was still some what rigid so we pushed on. Before long we had five chukars in the bag and the gun was getting pretty loose so we headed back down towards the truck hoping for maybe another point or two. I don't mind telling you I was keeping a close eye out for that elephant. I didn't think I could handle him stomping on me a second time. I was feeling a little sore.
Luckily the elephant stayed up on the hill waiting for some other unsuspecting victim to trip. Shortly before we got back to the truck Riley locked in one more time. I carefully inspected my gun. It was in good enough shape for another shot so in I went. As the huns flushed all around me I planted my feet and picked out a bird. I actually know I had my eyes open this time when I shot. The bird crumpled to the ground and I sat down waiting for Riley's delivery. I took the bird from Riley and rewarded him with the candy bar I had stolen the cardboard from. I unwrapped the duct tape from the shotgun and admired the crack down the stock and the two pieces of wood missing.
It was ugly but it stilll did the job.
The good is that I enjoyed a great day in Oregon chasing chukars and huns and am back here at home telling you about it. The amazing part of the good is I even brought eight birds back with me.
Riley got a couple points on the way up but I could see the birds running up hill in front of him. He tried to relocate and hold the birds but they finally took flight around the hill. It wasn't long before I saw a couple more covies of chukar flying wild and around the north slope. Figuring that would make a good start on chukars I found a decent deer trail and headed that way with Riley in the lead.
That's when the bad happened. Out of nowhere an elephant crossed the trail and tripped me. I tried to protect my gun but knew I had failed when I heard the cracking sound of wood. I lay there for a few minutes trying to decide whether my head was facing uphill or downhill and than realized my head was uphill because the blood from my nose was dripping on my chin. Not to worry though. Riley was right on that, licking me clean and wondering why I was just laying around. With his encouragement I was soon standing on the trail again. While standing there, I realized that elephant had also stomped on my back and ankle as he left. Boy were they sore.
Well, we can't let a little thing like a fall ruin our hunt. I picked up my shotgun and noticed quite a wobble in the stock and a few pieces missing. Riley was already off finding chukars so I needed to make a plan. The light bulb came on and I remembered the duct tape that I pack in my game vest and retrieved it. With two pieces of cardboard from my candy bar and the duct tape I soon had a firearm that fealt fairly rigid. What was going to happen when I pulled the trigger was a totally different matter.
It wasn't long before Riley was pointing a covey of chukar and waiting for me to make my usual swing into shooting position. As I moved in I thought to myself, "don't be afraid, just keep your eyes open". At the flush of the birds, I shouldered the shotgun and only shot once. Wow! A chukar fell from the sky and my shotgun is still together. I think it was the one I was shooting at. Riley was convinced it was as he retrieved the chukar to me. I can always depend on Riley to believe in me.
Luckily the elephant stayed up on the hill waiting for some other unsuspecting victim to trip. Shortly before we got back to the truck Riley locked in one more time. I carefully inspected my gun. It was in good enough shape for another shot so in I went. As the huns flushed all around me I planted my feet and picked out a bird. I actually know I had my eyes open this time when I shot. The bird crumpled to the ground and I sat down waiting for Riley's delivery. I took the bird from Riley and rewarded him with the candy bar I had stolen the cardboard from. I unwrapped the duct tape from the shotgun and admired the crack down the stock and the two pieces of wood missing.
It was ugly but it stilll did the job.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
Happy new year to all. Riley and I just hunted five days in a row and he told me it was time to take a day off before we finished the final month of the 2011-2012 chukar season. This is how he told me he was tired and needed a day off. As we got back to the truck Riley found a warm spot and assumed this position.
Since I started this blog I have met a lot of good people and learned a lot from some. Hopefully I have been able to save some a step or two along the way. I had one of our follower's ask a question yesterday and felt I might offer my opinion on it. Especially since I've been asked this question more than once before. He asked, "what do you do when your dog is on point way up the hill and you don't want to go up there or can't get there?"
This is my opinion and maybe there are circumstances that vary, but my answer is simple. You suck it up and get to the dog. You owe it to him/her. Your dog's job is to find birds for you and hold them, now it's time for you to do yours.
The long answer is, know yourself before getting your hunting companion. There are certain breeds that work closer and slower than others. They may not cover as much of the country, but they make it a lot easier on the lungs and legs. Each one of us is built differently and have different feelings about what is fun or not and we should get a dog that fits our individual style. If you are sold on a particular dog, as I am on the gsp, then at least let the dog know what you expect as a pup so you have some control on the range later on in the hunting days.
Sometimes I see Riley heading for an area that I don't care to hunt. Rock cliffs, rock slides, and thickets I wouldn't be able to shoot out of are a few examples. In those cases I recall Riley and get him headed in a direction I prefer. But I never try and recall him if I know he's hot on scent. Once you've hunted with your dog enough, you can tell when he is just sniffing the air looking for scent or he's sniffing the scent looking for a bird to point.
To put it in dog words. Look again at the picture of Riley. If he can put the amount of energy it took to wear him out to this point finding and retrieving birds, the least I can do for him is to honor him by getting to him no matter where he is.
This is my opinion and maybe there are circumstances that vary, but my answer is simple. You suck it up and get to the dog. You owe it to him/her. Your dog's job is to find birds for you and hold them, now it's time for you to do yours.
The long answer is, know yourself before getting your hunting companion. There are certain breeds that work closer and slower than others. They may not cover as much of the country, but they make it a lot easier on the lungs and legs. Each one of us is built differently and have different feelings about what is fun or not and we should get a dog that fits our individual style. If you are sold on a particular dog, as I am on the gsp, then at least let the dog know what you expect as a pup so you have some control on the range later on in the hunting days.
Sometimes I see Riley heading for an area that I don't care to hunt. Rock cliffs, rock slides, and thickets I wouldn't be able to shoot out of are a few examples. In those cases I recall Riley and get him headed in a direction I prefer. But I never try and recall him if I know he's hot on scent. Once you've hunted with your dog enough, you can tell when he is just sniffing the air looking for scent or he's sniffing the scent looking for a bird to point.
To put it in dog words. Look again at the picture of Riley. If he can put the amount of energy it took to wear him out to this point finding and retrieving birds, the least I can do for him is to honor him by getting to him no matter where he is.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A grand day
Yesterday my son in law (Nick) and grandson came to watch me and Riley play. What a great treat. Nick was the photographer so I don't have any pics of him, but here is one of several series of pictures he took.
Conner and I moving in on Riley's point.
They both dropped right over that hill. I rarely get doubles with an audience.
Hanging out while Riley makes the retrieve.
After Riley retrieves the first bird, Conner goes down to help him find number two. It's around here some place.
Conner, you're pointing me in the wrong direction. It's right here.
Here Riley, let me pack this one.
Hey, Opa, this one is pretty big.
What a grand day for grandpa. (Opa)
At the end of the day Riley and Conner get some rest for tomorrow.
Conner and I moving in on Riley's point.
Conner, you're pointing me in the wrong direction. It's right here.
At the end of the day Riley and Conner get some rest for tomorrow.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Perfect day
I've had a lot of great days in the past but never with both the camera and the shotgun. I'll let the camera do the talking for me.
The country
Bird #1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
The grand total
The country
Monday, December 19, 2011
Early Christmas present
Wow! Christmas started for me a week early. It all started yesterday afternoon when John and Deb Carter stopped by for a visit and also to deliver a present for Riley. In order for you to understand how special this artwork is you have to know the story.
I met John and Deb, along with John's father at Woodhead camp ground. I immediately took a liking to Jon's family and friends.We were all there for chukar hunting and after an evening of tall stories we decided to hunt together the following day. Neka wasn't even a year old at the time and John was quizzing me on training techniques. I explained to him that Riley was my trainer and hopefully he might show us a trick or two the following day.
So the following morning we headed off on the hill. Jon with Taffy, John and Deb with Neka and Riley and me. We started together but were soon in separate draws. After a while I saw Neka covering the hill at a distance and thought I'd venture over to John and Deb to see how it was going. I can't remember how the shooting was, but Deb had got some good shots of Neka and John with the camera.
We took a quick break talking dogs and were about to get back to hunting when we saw Riley on point.He had been locked up on some birds while we were visiting. So John moved in on the point while Deb took some pictures. She took this great picture of Riley and John made the flush. Riley got to do me proud.
Now Neka is two and hunts like a veteran. She is making a fine mentor for John. What a great gift.
Gift number two came on the hill today. Riley and I were chukar hunting in an area that we knew had bighorns this time of the year so I packed a camera. Shortly up the trail we had this guy blocking our way.
He soon gave us passage and up the hill we went. I heard several loud knocking sounds and although I"ve never heard it before, I was sure it was the sound of Bighorns butting heads. This was going to be a special day. As I came through the sagebrush I heard two rams butting heads but couldn't see them. I looked up the hill just in time to see these two preparing for battle.
Ten seconds later these two joined in.
And then this guy was on the charge for a ram out of the picture. 
While I was moving through the brush Riley came sprinting past me. I didn't wee it happen but I think this guy charged him. All I got was this picture of him trotting off from twenty yards. 
I didn't know the rut lasted this long for sheep. Maybe it doesn't normally but this ewe didn't know that. In the next fifteen minutes wherever she went, the big boys followed. I took many more random pictures until I was too cold to stay. I was dressed for chukar hunting not sheep watching.
If this is the beginning of my 12 days of Christmas I can't wait for what's next. Thank you so much for yesterday John and Deb and thank you for today God.
I met John and Deb, along with John's father at Woodhead camp ground. I immediately took a liking to Jon's family and friends.We were all there for chukar hunting and after an evening of tall stories we decided to hunt together the following day. Neka wasn't even a year old at the time and John was quizzing me on training techniques. I explained to him that Riley was my trainer and hopefully he might show us a trick or two the following day.
So the following morning we headed off on the hill. Jon with Taffy, John and Deb with Neka and Riley and me. We started together but were soon in separate draws. After a while I saw Neka covering the hill at a distance and thought I'd venture over to John and Deb to see how it was going. I can't remember how the shooting was, but Deb had got some good shots of Neka and John with the camera.
We took a quick break talking dogs and were about to get back to hunting when we saw Riley on point.He had been locked up on some birds while we were visiting. So John moved in on the point while Deb took some pictures. She took this great picture of Riley and John made the flush. Riley got to do me proud.
Gift number two came on the hill today. Riley and I were chukar hunting in an area that we knew had bighorns this time of the year so I packed a camera. Shortly up the trail we had this guy blocking our way.
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