Last Chance

[Texscala]

Headed out with a few forum members from the North. We were tired of the deep snow and hoped to find a place to run the dogs with a little less snow and a few birds.

Well we took 2 vehicles and 5 dogs and stated driving. We got trucks stuck on the way and had to get pulled out more than once. We had a run in with a bunch of sheep, sheep dogs, and a sheep camp in the middle of the road we had hoped to get up . In the end we found a spot and started hiking. We broke into 4 groups and headed up. Could not see too far with the fog so we tried to stay in touch with radios. After gaining some altitude I found tracks and a dog on point. I came in and saw a covey running uphill and tried to get them up. They took off and I missed the first shot only to have them turn back towards me..Missed again .

GCkid had better luck and took a few birds. On that push no one else would see any sign. We drove to another spot and gave it one more go. Arrow was pretty sore after not really getting out in the last 2 months but I got her to give it a try. UPs little setter looked great running around and covering lots of ground. We would cut fresh tracks again and Birddoger's Scooby and GCkid's Lilly would set up but the tracks just ended and the birds had bested us again. .

It was a lot of driving and a lot of fog, mud, and hiking without a lot of birds but it sure was fun. I am done for the season as school has gotten out of control but I cant wait till next fall to go at it again.

Good luck to all those who have a few more days....I'm jealous

Here is Arrow's point. I probably could have had a better opportunity if I would have rushed in instead of taking the picture. The point looked great but the pic was less than stellar.

[GCKid]

The weekend started very much the same as the previous weekend with several of us meeting in Tremonton to start the trek west. The plan was to go west and south until we could access some hills with chukars. The previous week we encountered snow too deep to get to our intended destination.

After getting stuck a few times we tried a different route. We were making good progress until we encountered a sheep camp blocking the road. How could this be? I thought this was a county road and there it was blocking our path to our intended chukar spot.


Once on the hill and at about the same time Tom radioed he saw tracks, a single bird flew down to me and landed at the base of a Juniper about 30 feet from me. Lily was following, but didn’t see it land so she turned and went back up the hill from where it came. I decided to flush it myself but wouldn’t you guess, it took off and used the tree as cover between us and I never even saw it, let alone get a shot.



I radioed to the group that I saw a single and headed up to where I last saw the dog. As I crested the ridge, 2 birds flushed and I took a wild assed shot and didn’t even come close. Then 2 more flushed and one wavered enough that I knew it was hit, but it locked its wings and headed back down the mountain. I decided to go after it just in case I could find it but before I got very far, 2 more flushed. I again got a good shot and one of the birds went head first into a snow bank but promptly bounced up and took off again. I was too shocked to even get another shot off. I decided this bird would probably be easier to find than the first one so headed in the direction it went. At this time I didn’t have any idea where the dog was but was hoping she would catch up. As I went down the hill, I heard the jingle of dog tags behind me and when I looked around, here came Lily with a chukar in her mouth. I couldn’t believe it. Somehow she had found the first bird that I had practically given up on and I didn’t even know she knew I had hit it. It was one of those moments that make everyone proud of what their dog can do for them. After putting the bird in the vest, we continue a short distance when she found the kamikaze bird hiding in a Sage Brush. Because of the fog, I really didn’t think there was any chance of finding either bird.

It was a tough hunt but I had a great time and really enjoyed the company. I am used to going out by myself so it is nice to have company once in a while. I just wished that everyone would have gotten into birds and gotten a few shots. Maybe next time. ONE MORE WEEKEND!

[tigerpincer]

Absolutely nothing better than when your dog comes through for you like that. I love it!!! That sheep camp looks familiar

[GCKid]

That sheep camp looks familiar

Oh, Oh! It didn't even cross my mind that I could be Hot Spotting. Glad there is only one more week to go.

[InvaderZim]

Good work yo! Its amaizing how much a dog helps, not just with finding coveys...but downed birds as well.

[Ryfly]

No better feeling in the world than when the dog scores a bird that you though was lost or didn't know you hit.

[Utah Pointerman]

Sorry I'm late to the party, my monitor crapped out on me and I had go buy a new one.

So there we were just heading up another snow covered Mountain when I got stuck and GCkid had to push me up the hill with a Stiff chain.

The Chain gets stiff after you hook it up and put a charge to it, really neat toy, need to get me one.

On to plan B
Who in their wrong freakin mind parks a sheep camp in the middle of the freakin road. Not hot-spotting, it has wheels and can be moved and parked anywhere, even the middle of the road a mile and a half from where we needed to be.


On to Plan 3.
Reconnoiter on the flats and plan a strategy to put us uphill on the birds.
Here we are Reconnoitering. Tom, Alan, Ryan, Ashley and Brittany. and abunch of hounds.


It takes a lot of crap to go hunting anymore, two truckloads at least.


The Guardian of the mountain kept a watchful eye on us.


So we headed up the mountain into the fog and mist shrouded peaks of Chukardom.


Ryan is that you? Birddogger in action.


I know Tom and Alan were up there somewhere cause I could hear em shooting and talking on the radio about all the birds they were finding.

Me I just wanted to have lunch so the girls and I broke out the goodies.


I tried to tell the girls that sardines were the best food a chukar hunter can carry but they weren't buying it.
Did I mention it was foggy, so foggy I couldn't even see my sardines at arms length.


After listening to Tom and Alan have a great time clearing the mountain of birds it was back down to the trucks for a debriefing and then implement Plan D, Drive more and then turn right up another mountain with less snow.

Arrow during the debriefing, come on guys plan D is waiting.


Lilly doin it right.


Are we having fun yet Dad?


How come it's always sucha long walk back to the truck?


I saved the best for last, a portrait of Scooby.

[Bella]

DAD!! you just had to get the ugliest picture of me and put it on here! haha it looks like I got a bloody nose or something!

[Ashley_Joy]

He's just trying to keep all the boys away Britt, besides who cares if you look good when your hunting!

Dad, you make it sound like such a simple little trip Truth is.... like twelve miles up a mountain in snow and extreme fog... I could not even walk the next day! But it was awesome!!

[BirdDogger]

Ryan is that you? Birddogger in action.

Rephrase that: BirdDogger inaction. I had just dragged my fat self up a hill and was taking a break! The dogs kept wanting to run up the other side of that ravine so finally I put them at heel until I could catch my wind.

Thanks for this one, UP. It's my new wallpaper. I love that dog.


Thanks for the trip, guys and gals. I had a great time. My attitude has been positive ever since. I keep telling my students that a good hike on the weekend makes for a relaxed and happy teacher.

And Brittany, there's no such thing as an ugly photo of a daddy's hunting daughter. Every dad on here hopes his girls turn out so good!

[Lefusil]

Gee fellas, looks like ya'll had a swell time. Good to see Tremonton-Garland was well represented. Looks like you had enough people along, no need for another guy with two ugly, no bird finding setters (now picture a lonely guy walking away, hands in pockets, head hung low and kicking a old tin can).

Dustin

[GCKid]

Lily must have went on point after she ditched me for hunters who have better wheels. I got stuck 3 more times on Sunday but I was on a snowmobile instead of driving the Dodge.

[Utah Pointerman]

Gee fellas, looks like ya'll had a swell time. Good to see Tremonton-Garland was well represented. Looks like you had enough people along, no need for another guy with two ugly, no bird finding setters (now picture a lonely guy walking away, hands in pockets, head hung low and kicking a old tin can).

Dustin

Ah Shucks now I feel bad.
Scooby will cheer ya up.

[Utah Pointerman]

DAD!! you just had to get the ugliest picture of me and put it on here! haha it looks like I got a bloody nose or something!

It's just a booger no worries.

[Texscala]

Ryan now you have a pic for SSG to draw up for you. That would be a great one.

Nice pics Allan & company. If any of y'all are interested in an after season run or two let me know. I really want to go out with the camera and get some good shots of the dogs working.