Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,789
- 6,036
Dawn was rather chilly for the first of December. Nine degrees according to the local news radio station, 12 according to my thermometer. Whatever, it was chilly and bright and seemed like a great day to go for upland game! The dog and I climbed in the Jeep and off we went.
Road is always steep, but this time it had nasty ruts, and was partly covered by compacted snow and ice. Traction varied from excellent to nothing. I kept the Jeep in 4-low, and used the rear locker time to time as well.
We hunted the steep terrain for about 45 minutes. One shot, one bird. A box of shells could last a long time at that rate. Dog found it for me after it dropped. Then the dog asked me very politely if one was enough, since it was sort of chilly. And pointed out that he had no warm boots. And essentially made me feel guilty, so we headed back to the truck. I explained that after taking this one on a near cliff, and risking both our necks to retrieve it, that I'd only shoot the "easy" birds on the way back. Thankfully he didn't find any. :grin: We did hear a few chukar, but they were just trying to lure us to our deaths on the cliffs, so we prudently left those rascals alone. It was a fine morning, spent in beautiful country with what's turning out to be a good hunting dog & companion.
I can feel the shift, the return to my upland game hunting roots, beginning... :mrgreen:
Guy
Road is always steep, but this time it had nasty ruts, and was partly covered by compacted snow and ice. Traction varied from excellent to nothing. I kept the Jeep in 4-low, and used the rear locker time to time as well.
We hunted the steep terrain for about 45 minutes. One shot, one bird. A box of shells could last a long time at that rate. Dog found it for me after it dropped. Then the dog asked me very politely if one was enough, since it was sort of chilly. And pointed out that he had no warm boots. And essentially made me feel guilty, so we headed back to the truck. I explained that after taking this one on a near cliff, and risking both our necks to retrieve it, that I'd only shoot the "easy" birds on the way back. Thankfully he didn't find any. :grin: We did hear a few chukar, but they were just trying to lure us to our deaths on the cliffs, so we prudently left those rascals alone. It was a fine morning, spent in beautiful country with what's turning out to be a good hunting dog & companion.
I can feel the shift, the return to my upland game hunting roots, beginning... :mrgreen:
Guy
