Coyland Creek Training, Nov 22, 2023

 

"Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits." ~ Thomas A. Edison

 

 

Gentle Readers and Loved Ones,

I bought another three birds for Rory last Wednesday down at Coyland.  We just flat out had a great time.  Rory just needs some fine tuning now on how to be a good bird dog.  He’s totally read in on the concept. 

Once again, if hunting posts offend you, please go find something else to read.

I met Kelsie in the lounge and we talked pleasantly for a little while and then she led me out to the East Field where she planted the three birds.  I will totally admit to cheating as I watched where she planted the birds while I geared up.  Rory was still in the truck.

Depending on how you look at it, I either shot poorly and semi-well.  I hit all three birds but I didn’t knock any of them straight down.  Rory got to chase the wounded birds and he just had the best ol’ time.  I guess if you have a soft heart, you have to feel badly for the birds.  I wish I’d hit them harder.

I also apologize as I did not check the angle of the GoPro on my hatband.  It’s tilted down much too low. 

You may also note as my good friend who is a hunting dog expert keeps telling me that I run my mouth too much working with Rory.  I’ve made a note of this failing and will direct some attention to it.  So, keep in mind as you read this blog, that this session was not about “hunting” as it was about training both Rory and me to be better at dog handling.  

Also, keep in mind you can click these videos and make them go full screen.  You can also make the go High Definition.

Here is the first flush.    

 

In between, Rory beat around and found an old dead Chuckar that someone had killed before.  I had a heck of a time getting Rory to forget about it and get back to the business of hunting pheasants. 

Here is the second flush.  

 

 The third flush is kind of cool.  These farm pheasants are in some cases very reluctant to fly.  Rory ran right by this rooster - was in fact feet from it - and I walked right up on it.  I literally looked it in the eye before I called Rory over and flushed it.  

 

Despite what I say in the video, I think I slightly wounded the Rooster.  It flew way over to the tree line, Rory at its tail.  It landed on the ground at the edge of the brush and when Rory ran up, it flew up 10’ or so into a tree right above.  This drove Rory nuts and he ran around under saying “Geoff, get over here!’ 

I slogged the 400 yards over to the site and when I got within 50 yards or so, I unsportingly shot the bird in the tree.  Again, I only wounded it and it flew out into the field and then died dramatically midair.  Rory never saw it.

So, I heeled him up, vaguely pointed him in the right direction and gave him a find it.  He did.  But his retrieve was very disobedient so as we walked back to the truck, I gave him another chance to do it right.

 

On that happy note, I remain,

Dad/Geoff