Behind The Bird Dog

09/25/26 Went to a county forest with Bucky and Copper. Left around 5:30AM so we could hunt around first light to avoid the heat. It was about mid 60's when we started and humid. Hunted a side road off [location omitted]. Heard 1 grouse flush off the trail. When moving spots saw 1 running into the woods. Let Bucky out. After a few minutes heard it flush a distance away. Lots of leaves on trees still. Moved 2 grouse. No shots.

There are things I have done as an upland hunter that have heightened my knowledge and passion for all things uplands. In no particular order the ones that had the biggest impact include purchasing my first real bird dog, joining a local Pheasants Forever Chapter as a board member, and most recently joining and participating with a local chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA).   NAVHDA is a training and hunt test organization founded in 1969 with a stated goal to foster, promote, and improve versatile hunting dog breeds across the United States and Canada. A hunt test has some similarities to field trialing with some distinct differences. In field trials, dogs compete head-to-head with other dogs. As an example, if 10 dogs compete, they will be ranked from 1st through 10th place. In a hunt test, a dog's performance is judged against a known standard. Although, at this point, I have never participated in a field trial, I think the hunt test for...

Nebraska — Nov 4th–8th 2021 Arrived in town and had dinner at Quinns house. Tasty Wilbur Hotdogs. We got out to the house with 15 mins or so of shooting light. Copper got into a covey of Quail in a CRP field right off of a picked corn field. We ended up w/ 2 Quail. There was some disagreement between Jon, Quinn, and I about who actually got the Quail. Day 1 — mid 70's We started out at the field by Becky's Normally renters are not able to hunt the field but because we were in good w/ Quinn we had permission. Copper pointed a covey of Quail where he had the previous night. Lots of shooting. No Birds. We ended up having lots of Bird action but not lots of shooting. Copper pointed and 6 hens flushed. We also saw some roosters, but  no shots. On the way back Tucker found and flushed his first wild Birds! Both Josh and Jon were impressed. A bunch of Quail went by a woody area by the Road in front of the house. Copper pointed these. When we flushed them one of...

October 16, 2021 (Saturday) Opening for pheasant was attended by myself, Chase, Josh, Jack, Jon Kellerman and including Max. Cory Millard was there w/ one of his sons. Dog power was provided by Copper, Tucker, and Cory's Dog. It was a nice clear day with a high of 59°. Copper went on point from the parking lot about 10 mins before shooting. About 5 mins after 9am Copper went on point. As I approached I could see the head of the pheasant poking out of the grass. The Rooster flushed cross ways giving me a shot. I put it down with one shot. Unfortunately we never found it. We suspect it was running on us. Jon flushed a rooster w/o a dog and got it with 2 shots. This year the hamburger fry was BACK ON!

11/02/20 — Pheasant & Quail Hunt Mike, Abe, Josh and I on this trip. Dog power compliments of Copper and Reagan. All of us had to cram into 1 Room for the night because Steve gave our room away. We made due and it gave something to ride Steve about for the week. We started the morning at a wheat stubble field. I missed 2 pheasants. First one Copper had been birdy but did not point. Had a small puff of feathers when I shot But overall unscathed. Josh and Mike may have seen a Sharptail. After our “family” lunch with Quinn we went to a private drainage surrounded by corn stubble. We had a delightful Afternoon Shooting at that spot in spite of the heat. I shot 3 Quail and really enjoyed my New Sweet 16. I believe we got 6 Quail at that spot and 2 at the next also private. Copper provided Decent Dog work and even pointed a hen Pheasant that I Flushed. We ended the Day with Copper hot on the trail of what we presumed was a rooster. Other than the Mid 70° weather it was one of our Best Hu...

11/07/20 —  The hunt started at 6:04am with temps in the 50's. Nice Sunrise. The walking was fairly tough and was wet in areas. Copper and I moved over to another area and walked a mowed fire break. A rooster cackling lured me off the trail.  We did not find the offender, but we kicked up a Whitetail. Towards the End I faintly smelled a SKUNK indicating it was time to leave. I was Not Disappointed I went hunting but was left with the thought WI upland Bird hunting Is pretty Bleak in comparison to Nebraska.