12/7/14 hunt at Coon Creek

For some reason I have not had the energy to think about filming hunts this year.  Actually I should have filmed today as we had a great day in the field.  Actually we didn't miss a bird all day.  We released six birds and ended up taking 10 home.  We also hit some really long shots and the dogs were great on birds today.  I will try to get more pics of the hunt. Willow is up to 131 birds and Autumn is up to 56 birds.

12/7/14 scheduled hunt

I am planning a six bird release this Sunday.  Willow's paw is healing up well and I am hoping that she is able to go this weekend.  If not, Autumn is ready to go alone.  We are going in blind, as I am not sure what field we will be hunting or the condition of the grass.  We have a forecast of mid thirties and no rain, so it should be good.  I might try and get some video this time.  Watch for the update.

11/29/14 Went out with Uncle John to Coon Creek

My uncle has been a member at Coon Creek for the past few years.  Well, Norma his hunting dog, is now 14 and not able to make it out any longer. He got himself another GSP, Gertie, but she is not turning out to be a hunting dog.  Willow was out of the question today with two scraped up dew claw pads, so it was Autumn on her first solo hunt along with Gertie who was along for the walk.  It look promising for Gertie today when she went after the first downed bird with Autumn, but that was about all she showed for interest today.  She had a good walk.  Autumn was on fire for her first solo hunt. Bs he worked the field good and pointed birds from some good distances and moved in slow to show us where the birds were holding up.  We released six birds, pulled eight out with Autumns good points, and ended up hitting six  to take home.  It was a good day in the field seeing Autumn taking control and working the field hard with nice strong points and retrieves..  It was great seeing her do what she loves to do.  Willow was very upset that I left her home, but I keep telling her it was for her own good.  That puts Autumn to 51 birds!

31 for the year so far. We got 29 pheasants and two chuckers!

Sorry for not posting for a while, it's been busy here as we have added to out animal family with a bunch of ball pythons and a few chameleons.  I have been able to get out to both clubs a few times. I have Willow up to 126 birds and Autumns career has her up to 45 birds.  Willow has been her steady self, hunting hard and pushing through things that has caused her to already have pad issues.  This past weekend she really scraped up her dew pads on both legs good.  Actually, it was the first time I have seen her not want to go back into the thick stuff.  It must have been painful for her.  Good thing it was at the end of the hunt.  Autumn had a slow start this year, but the last two hunts really turned it up a few notches and is starting to top Willows production in the field.  She is build like a little tank and just wants to find birds now.  I will start to update after each hunt, as I think things are finally winding down here.

First hunt at Gum Farm hunt club 2014/2015 season 10/11/14

Went out with my uncle to Gum Farm on Saturday.  He is working with his shorthair to see if we can get her hunting.  She is real birdy outside the field but the gun noise has been hard for her, not that she spooks, but she does tend to stay on heals when there are guns around.   She started pushing out a bit more on the hunt and seems to be getting used to the noise.  Now she needs to start to find birds on a hunt.  If we keep her going she will be a good hunting dog.   She is Aitumn's half sister and they were born a week appart.  Willow and Autumn did good and we ended up going 8 for 8. I took one picture after the hunt, looking to start video recording hunts next time out. 

First hunt out at coon creek 2014/2015 season.

Went out to check the fields at Coon Creek last Sunday.  Most of the fields are really thick for early season hunting, but after the first snow fall I am sure these fields will be great!  I just did a three bird release, more to get the dogs out on their first hunt of the season.  The dogs ended up finding all three birds, but I missed them all.  The dogs would point and the birds would run and not fly.  By the time we caught back up to all three they took off quick and I missed.  Thought it was going to be the first hunt I came back with nothing, but I did end up hitting a scratch chucker right at the end if the hunt.  I think the dogs were more upset at me than I was.  It was a good day in the field and I got to check conditions.  Sorry didn't take any video or pictures as I was more concerned with working the dogs and learning the field.

Took the dogs out swimming the other day.  Autumn has only seen water a few times and is getting a little more used to going in.  First two time would only get her feet wet!

http://youtu.be/GU1oyRZ1Khw