Gentle Readers and Loved Ones,
Got another short Rory hunting story to tell.
I’ve talked before about the private property across the road from the cabin. It is Ruffed Grouse Heaven and a privilege to have access to. Every year, the grouse over there produce a new brood of rufflings.
Rob and I hunted over there two days in a row. I have two pictures to show you.
We saved the property for the last hunt right before sunset at the end of the first day. While we stomped around, Rory bounced up this year's brood back by the five way corner. It was a big brood, that flushed low and stayed in the cover. Rob had no shot. I took this picture right before Rory bounced them all up.
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| Rory senses the brood. |
Last hunt of the second day, we walked over to Fern Alley. I sat Rory, and pointed Rob up the alley, which is a cleared lane between the cover. The lane floor is covered in dying Ferns. There is a strip of Fir / Evergreens on the left side and on the right is a big solid earthen berm that has a mix of oak and evergreen covering it. I'm always optimistic about grouse in the Alley.
If you are curious, this short video of Fern Alley will orient you.
Rob walked down
Fern Alley. As I turned to trudge up the berm, I released Rory, who immediately went as birdy as he ever gets. He starts beating up the evergreen strip, quartering hard.
I hadn’t been up on the berm a minute when I
heard Rob shout “Bird!” Then a shot. Then “Got ‘em!”.
Happily, I descended the berm busting through the oak branches to find that Rory has retrieved the grouse and is running to me. Now, I’ve been working on
getting Rory to obey and hunt with others. I really want him to deliver it to Rob.
So, “Sit”. Rory sits. “Rob, tap your left leg and say “Heel”. Rory heels over to him. “Now, say ‘give’”. Rory doesn’t
want to give it up and I have to use a little collar pressure. He gives the bird to Rob and stays sitting. “Good boy!”
On that happy note, I remain, Dad/Geoff
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