Getting closer!

bauerline

bauerline

Well-known member
August 1st means one more month until the dove opener and one month closer to hunting with the dogs. I start making runs a little longer when the weather permits and today was a good day to do that. It was just Blitz and Champ today since Nittany ran with them yesterday. Nittany's not too interested in running multiple days in a row.

Some quail have been out of the johnny house for a few days and it didn't take long for the first point.
IMG_1757_zpsdlamoiyh.jpg

IMG_1760_zpsddx3qbwo.jpg


It was a nice morning to be out as the sun was rising.

IMG_1762_zpszcwfickr.jpg


I extended the run a little by checking out a ditch that separates some of the corn that is planted in the area. There were lots of tracks in the mud from different animals but no bird tracks. We didn't find any birds in this area.
IMG_1763_zpsxhqrl4u2.jpg


Not far from this area there is a food plot for deer, turkey and pheasants. Blitz had a point here:
IMG_1765_zpshrmmobdk.jpg


IMG_1764_zpsdfcclpum.jpg

Not exactly what I was hoping for but neither dog gave chase when they saw the deer run off.
 
Time to start working our way back to the truck and through the fields. Champ thinks he found something and Blitz backs
IMG_1771_zpsplvxmbel.jpg

He was pretty sure something was in there
IMG_1772%202_zpshsl08114.jpg

But we couldn't flush anything. A short time later Blitz thinks he found something.
IMG_1776_zps3vhtupfe.jpg


And Champ comes in and honors Blitz's point once he can see through the grass.
IMG_1780_zpsu4k4x9ib.jpg


Once again, we can't flush anything. But there was something there a one point.
IMG_1782_zpsmbojdd0t.jpg

A few quail feathers from a bird that was in the area. It didn't look like it was killed by anything, not enough feathers on the ground.

And that is it for the morning. I hope to soon work on some tracking running birds with Champ to get him ready for his NA test at the end of September.
 
You're right Brian, it's time to put down the fishing pole and pick up the scatter gun for some clay bird shooting. If you haven't had the pups out for some stretch runs now is the time. Put your vacation time in at work now so you don't miss out. Start lining up some hunting spots...October is right around the corner!:)
 
Last edited:
Definitely is a great way to spend a morning! I've been trying to sure up some of Sadie's training so that way I know she will be ready for the field come the end of October. I'll probably need to start taking her on runs to boost her endurance some more. Right now the walks don't seem to be doing it.

And so I don't get "the look" in the field, I better take FLDBRED's advice and get the scatter gun out and go shoot some clays so I can do my end of the deal!
 
Last edited:
I shot some sporting clays a couple of weeks ago and did better than average for me. I hope to get some more shooting in soon.
 
We just confirmed a farm that will receive some birds from the State, the farmer also said he has seen birds for years. We're pretty excited! Anyone else find any new spots?
 
That's awesome Parooster! Glad the scouting paid off. I'm planning a scouting trip in the next 3 weeks in South Central Pa so hopefully I have as good of luck as you.
 
Way to go Rooster! Good luck Steelbull!

It's a good thing we check every year,because with pheasant hunting things can change from season to season. We lost one of our spots but are real excited about another. The area has GREAT habitat and there is plenty of sign of resident birds. We are making plans on just what is the right way to hunt it.
It won't be long now! :)
 
parooster said:
We just confirmed a farm that will receive some birds from the State, the farmer also said he has seen birds for years. We're pretty excited! Anyone else find any new spots?
Click to expand...

Great..That's what hunting is all about..it's way more than the kill. It's a year round way of life. Nice job!
 
Good to hear people are getting ready and that things are working out. I've still been seeing some holdover birds this summer but I only saw the chicks the one time. There are lots of places for them to hide this time of year with all the crops in, fence lines and thick fields. I hope they made it.
 
The dogs are coming along nicely and I think they are ready for the season. We just need to get through the next couple of weeks and the heat that is on the way. They've been busy with some water work and liberated birds.
FullSizeRender_zps69718b6e.jpg


IMG_1819_zps7607420d.jpg


IMG_1821_zps1e2b974f.jpg


I think I'll do one preserve hunt some September morning to let the dogs work a little harder and have some fun. I do think that this year Nittany will be mostly doing the short hunts and have to stay home during the all day romps. Last year he did good enough on 6-8 hour hunts but I don't think I'll have him do that this year. I know he was stiff after doing it last year.
 
Heading up to PA tomorrow to do some scouting. I have 17 potential locations to go visit. I'll have to narrow that down because I know I won't have time for all of them. Should be a fun trip! I'll let you guys know how I make out!
 
steelbull85 said:
Heading up to PA tomorrow to do some scouting. I have 17 potential locations to go visit. I'll have to narrow that down because I know I won't have time for all of them. Should be a fun trip! I'll let you guys know how I make out!
Click to expand...

WAY TO GO!!! Enjoy your trip, don't be disappointed if many of your spots don't pan out, we're used to it. It's hard to find ONE special spot, but over the course of a few years they add up. Even the cover in the SGL's can change from year to year so it's always good to take a peak at them also!

It's also good to find out were they make the best breakfast sandwiches too! :)
 
Saturday was the first morning I had available to run the dogs for quite some time. Nittany stayed at home which left Blitz and Champ to look for any holdover birds. I was not disappointed as Champ had a point early on.
IMG_1875_zpsvyl494vb.jpg


IMG_1876_zpslj2f14a9.jpg

We ended up flushing a hen out of the tall grass. Shortly after the bird flushed, a second hen came out of the same area.

We continued down the path and they both start acting birdy. Nittany and Blitz track a bird and then I see the hen running across the mowed path.

https://youtu.be/VjvIhnwvpHY



The bird that flushed in the above video wasn't the same bird they were tracking. The dogs did end up putting another hen in the air after I stopped recording.
One more point on the way out on what was a quail in the switchgrass. A few days ago I saw a rooster in the area but it was all hens today.

Add PSU football later and Connor's first football game this evening and you can tell the best time of year is coming.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top