" what a ! " first upland hunt of the season
A late day yesterday and a chance of wet weather today left us unsure of our plans but I read once that a bad day hunting is better than a good day not hunting so we decided to take our chances. We are excited for our first upland hunt of the season. Maybe we will flush a grouse ? Or a rabbit in the thick ground cover, and just maybe the woodcock would still be around.
I load my truck with the ritual morning coffee, the gun in the back longing to be taken out for a walk and hunter orange ready to break the camouflage of the great outdoors. As I drive away a light drizzle starts, I pick up my hunting buddy and we cheerfully venture off with groggy eyes to see what we would find. We contemplate if it would be worth the effort as the drizzle persists. We are rarely successful in bad weather. Tom offers some hope and says " your the only one I know that shot a turkey in the rain, so you never know! Lol. " We continue on our way protesting our desires to each other about pushing through wet grass and cold bush on this less than desirable morning sipping our morning java.
We arrive at our destination, the rain has stopped but the rain has done its job and washed everything clean leaving wet and soggy conditions. We start our walk and laugh as I declare " the older I get the more I think we need to hunt with a dog ! " We are proud of our success, we work hard not having a dog to point or flush. I suggest to my partner Tom " I think its time to buy your daughter that puppy she always wanted, Lol." We have our chuckles and start kicking up brush as we scour thick ground cover in hopes of flushing something special.
Tom lights a cigarette, we strategize for a moment and decide to change the game plan. We continue on starting to wonder if we will be going back empty handed when suddenly I think I see something move but my eyes have been deceiving me all morning. Suddenly Tom calls out I see something. I look again so I break the morning silence with my Browning semi-auto ! I am surprised when it doesn't drop as I anticipated. " Did u get it ? " Tom excitedly questions from across the shrubs and through the pines. " No " I shout back. Suddenly, Bang again !! Now the Benelli lets its lead fly, the morning air is stained as the residue of gun powder lingers. It always reminds me of the famous movie quote where a soldier in the midst of battle shouts " I love the smell of napalm in the morning ". ( Apocalypse now ) It flushes once again and bang another shot roars and finally our quarry lies waiting.
We find our catch, it's a very large mature Woodcock. It was beautiful with a long dark beak and pea sized black eyes that sit up high with tender feathers and delicate large feet which it used to momentarily escape our efforts. Juicy fat plump breasts along with thick meaty legs will be pan fried in olive oil, butter and chilli flakes with supper. I have shot a couple in my time but Tom has more experience with woodcock and shouts " That's the biggest woodcock I ever saw ! " We break out in laughter and celebrate our success as we bag our first jumbo Woodcock of the year.
We didn't expect much on a rainy wet morning of upland hunting but our determination paid off. Tom and I flushed 3 more this morning at our favourite hunting spot, coming close to bagging another couple giving us the opportunity and satisfaction of letting our canons go. Not bad for a couple of guys on a wet day and no dog. It was another great morning for a couple friends spending time outdoors and the beginning of another season with many more new memories like this one to remember and to be told.
