Two Pheasant hunts down, 0 Pheasants to show for it.
But that doesn't mean a good time wasn't had by all!
Two years ago I had my first outing with forum member Rustic and his GSP Jasper and despite an awesome time, and great effort by a battle hardened dog, we were skunked.
This year, I got the invite from forum member Terrym and his Britney Tucker.
The weather for the day was looking perfect all week, and then, in the 11th hour, changed for the worse. But, when people are travelling and rare opportunities present themselves, you make the best of it!
We met up at the local coffee shop and shook hands and put faces to forum names, grabbed a cup of our chosen poison and headed off to the fields.
We arrived early and the rain was still falling steadily in the dark morning and we made the most of our pre hunt time in the truck chatting, trading stories, and getting to know one another better.
Finally, the sky lifted a bit, the light came in, and the rain eased off. We headed off into the fields and Tucker kicked into high gear. With all the rain the night before, and continuing on into the morning, we knew the birds would be scarce, and hunkered, but that’s hunting!
We followed in tow as Tucker worked every nook and cranny of the fields, fence rows, and even into the bush but the elusive pheasant was not to be found. A little later in the morning, Tucker was able to display his natural talents and locked up for two solid points on woodcock, but I let down my end of the deal and couldn’t get them to flush out for a shot.
We finished up our walk around noon and made our way back to the trucks for lunch, as we both had commitments that afternoon. As we made our way back an SUV rolled passed and stopped for a chat. It was another forum member that Terry knows, "WoodWitch", I was introduced and we had a lovely chat about the area, birds, etc. An incredibly nice woman and a wealth of information when it comes to dogs and birds!
After learning my passion for waterfowl, she even took out a map for me and drew some locations and access points for the next time I am down!
We finished our chat and parted ways. Terry and I hopped into the cab, enjoyed lunch and then shook hands until the next time.
Like the Beasley brothers say at the end of every episode, if you ever get the chance to head south and share a field with Terry and Tucker, "you gotta do it"
Thanks for hosting me guys, looking forward to the next one!
