A partridge in a pear tree, or maybe lava rocks.

[El Jason]

I took Henry out today to make amends for leaving him in a boarding kennel for 10 days while we traveled to Arizona over Christmas.

I made two rookie mistakes.

1) I didn't lace my right boot tight enough and got a major league hot spot.
2) I didn't anticipate it being over 50 degrees and didn't take nearly enough water.

When we are low on water, Henry gets first dibs and I go dry. I got really dry today. With the warm sun, the ground got really soft on top and I bit the dirt a number of times. The Beretta has a few new character marks after today

I thought we might find birds low with the recent snow. Snow levels had receded quite a bit though and the birds were much higher than I thought and in the nasty stuff.



This hill was a welcome reprieve from cliffs.



Despite a very mediocre shooting performance and birds that were running like scalded cats, we managed to scratch out four chukars and a hun for the day's efforts.





Henry and I are both a little stiff and sore tonight. Too bad he's not 21 yet, I'm going to have a medicinal whiskey.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

Looks like the little guy is tuckered out. Sure has been crazy weather. We're thawing out over here also. Well deserved whiskey!

 

[Nameless Range]

Pretty birds. Looks like a great day.

 

[1_pointer]

Well done! If I don't mess up Hank too much trying to train him, one winter I'd like to take him West for some chukar. Fun birds and all brought to hand are earned.

 

[Big Sky]

I used to hunt birds quite a bit, but really don't mess with them much anymore. However I have a few mounted. On my fireplace mantel there are only two birds. A chuckar at one end and a Hun at the other. They are two of my favorite upland birds and frankly two of the more difficult to get. Chukar's because where they live and Huns because they are so dang FAST! As always I love seeing your photos and story. Job well done!

 

[retterath]

love the pic,way to go

 

[GAbearclaw]

Awesome work! Chukar are on the list but hard to find around here!

 

[El Jason]

pointer and bearclaw,

If you guys ever need help with places to hunt, let me know and I'll give you the rundown on the areas I hunt.

Bigsky,

Yes, Huns are incredibly fast. The ridge system I was hunting down yesterday is incredibly steep on one side. Henry pointed a covey, and when they flushed they peeled hard towards the steep face. I hit one bird and he did the death wobble and set his wings. I was praying that Henry did not see the bird fall, because if he did it was likely going to take him anywhere from 2-800 feet down the canyon. Normally I greatly dislike losing birds. This one I was happy to donate to the critters.

 

[Irrelevant]

My choice for winter recreation. Well done sir. I'm jealous, my pup is on the IR for the rest of the season, hopefully she'll be back in action next Oct.