El Niño 2015

The warm and dry conditions continued this year on the opening of the Pheasant season in the northern states. This has been the second consecutive year that the waterfowl migration has not started as of mid October in the Prairie Pothole Region. We made the best of the shirt sleeve weather during the opener and enjoyed some fine wing shooting, but I personally find more enjoyment in hunting without competition from other hunters than putting lots of birds in the bag. Obviously, hunting during the opener on public access areas is not the best strategy, and I am thinking we will revisit our road trip schedule in coming years. My observation is that the water table on the far Northern Prairies in select areas where we hunt is falling and suitable upland bird cover is declining vs last year's conditions. Many small coverts that previously held birds were empty and the cover was sparse. In some of the more touted areas hunter numbers are way up as well. Many of the last bastions of CRP are disappearing, and the USDA Drought monitor shows much of the prime habitat in the High Plains and Western regions as "abnormally dry" or in "moderate drought". I am keeping my fingers crossed for a return to more normal conditions in the months to come. It seems to me that one of the side effects of shrinking habitat is a concentration of hunting pressure in the remaining suitable habitat. Moving away from the higher bird density areas may ultimately pay off with better hunting and less pressured birds, but we may have to work a little harder to find them.

2014 Northern Campaign

The weather was unusually warm this year during mine and Grant's Northern Expedition, but who can complain about 2 weeks of sunshine and 70 degrees. The hatch proved to be pretty good in the areas we hunted, especially the Sharptail Grouse. I don't remember working as many Sharptail in all the years we have hunted the Northern Prairies.

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              2013 Corps Of Discovery Expedition

                                      

Grant and I headed North on a 10 day mission in mid October with our 3 dog string to visit old prairie haunts and to scout new bird hunting country. Our favorite coverts did not disappoint.

 

Setter Shadow Oak Bo Wins 2013 National Championship

With 6 finds and 3 backs, an outstanding day for the first English Setter to win the championship in 43 years.

Connor's EZ Button Wins National Championship

Grand Junction, Tennessee

I really enjoy following the National Championship for bird dogs every February. It's my way of easing the withdrawal symptoms over the ending of bird season, which to my knowledge closes in almost every state by the middle of February. Fortunately for bird dog addicts, the end of hunting season happens to coincide with the running of the national championship in Grand Junction.

Ames Plantation has a web page ( http://www.amesplantation.org/field-trial/) with links to the daily braces which run twice a day during the stake. This coverage includes a brace by brace synopsis for each run, professional photos of field work, and general interest photography from the event.

This years winner was announced Wednesday and by all accounts ran a very classy 3 hour trial. Connors EZ Button took first place with six finds, two backs, and no faults. It was reported that EZ Button ran the entire brace with a high cracking tail which tends to get the attention of the judges and this Pointer is only a four year old so has plenty of opportunity to do more great things in the future.

Although the winner at Ames is considered a national champion, I have to believe that the dogs that make it to Grand Junction are the best bird pointers in the world. The selective breeding from what was formally the English Pointer dates as far back as the late 1800's, and has produced animals with bird desire and stamina that are unmatched by any breed. I back up this bold statement with the fact that several other breeds of bird dogs are qualified to contend in the National Championship, but no breed other than Pointer has won the championship in over 30 years. It's also rare for animals of any breed other than Pointer to actually qualify to compete in the event.

Congratulations to Connors EZ Button, the 2012 National Pointing Dog Champion.

North Dakota Opener 2011

I spent a few days on the prairie with my son Grant for the North Dakota opener. The bird numbers were down compared to my last visit as predicted, but the beauty of North Dakota plains and the fact that the Dakota's are better in a bad year than most states in their best years always brings me back in October.

I am coming to the realization that Sabrina's endurance has greatly diminished over the last year although she is still my best bird finder. I dread the day that she will have to go into retirement, but am thankful for the young pups who are coming along nicely. My daughters young Brittany Ginger had a stellar morning on the third day with 4 solid finds and points, and a nice retrieve.

These are the best of times, and the chance to share them with my son is such a privledge

Couch Scouting For The Next Hunt

These girls are all gone now, lots of memories left behind though.

"Land Of Oz" Youth Hunt

I headed to Kansas this past weekend with my son Grant for the Kansas early youth opener. The birds were present in decent numbers and of course the hospitality of the Kansans was like a breath of Spring air. The weather was a little on the warm side in the low 70's and very dry which made it tough on the dogs, but we still enjoyed some good dog work. I was able to scout out some new WIHA and discovered some nice cover during our trip. I also spent some quality time with my son, which was way over due.

I want to thank the state of Kansas for their foresight in creating a special hunting season just for kids. Time in the field with a mentor and little competition for hunting areas or shooting opportunities are just what beginning hunters need to motivate them to carry on the upland tradition we care so much about. Kansas is a great state.

Elhew Swami Passes

Elhew Swami "Bama"

As Gigi progresses with her training I continue to be impressed with her intelligence and bird finding desire. Now in her second season she is about to be considered a "finished" gun dog, holding point to wing and shot. She is an unbelievable bird hunting machine, owing this to her breeding of some of the most successful pointers to have ever been bred.

I was saddened today to learn that Gigi's grandmother, Elhew Swami or "Bama" as she was called, passed away on May 11, and Swami's sister Elhew Sunflower "Jill" passed away a week later. I always wanted a dog with close lineage to Swami and Sunflower, as they were some of the best shooting dogs to ever compete. It was a rare find to have the opportunity to purchase Gigi, a decendent of both Bama and Jill. It is a good feeling to know that those genetics are alive and well in their offspring.

A Visit To Dave & Fay Walker Kennels

Recently Julia and I took a father / daughter trip to Southwest Idaho to visit Fay and Dave Walker Kennels. Julia had been waiting patiently since early January for one of the Walker's famous Brittanys to deliver an orange and white female, but through repeated breeding's, the orange and white did not materialize. Fay advised me that she was going to hold on to a particular liver and white female just in case Julia could be persuaded to change her mind regarding color. I think I was as anxious as Julia for a new pup around the house so after a little persuasion, we were off to Idaho to collect a new bird dog for our string, and hopefully slip in a little reconnaissance mission for future bird hunting opportunities in Idaho.

The Walkers welcomed Julia and I as if we had known them for years, and I knew immediately upon meeting Fay and Dave in person that I had selected the right breeder. The puppy Fay had selected for us was everything she said it would be, a beautiful field trial or bench prospect. The walkers reputation for breeding and handling champion Brittanys comes from 30 years of dedication to their animals, and the continued enthusiasm they have for their animals is energizing. I was fortunate to be able to tour Dave's training grounds with him and pick up lots of pointers on his management of bird cover and raising and utilizing game birds for training. Dave, like myself, has a continuing habitat improvement project going on his plantation and it was good timing for me to be able to draw on his experience.

Julia & Dave Walker

Julia decided to name her pup Ginger, (With a little persuasion from Fay) after the pups Dam. So her registered name will be Snake River Ginger, in recognition of the beautiful area close to the Snake where Dave's plantation is located.

Twilight

The ever present breeze mysteriously subsides a moment just before sunset. To the West, a sea of prairie grass is back lit by a furnace red sky and creates the illusion of infinity. Roosters cackle as they give up their secret coverts, and in a sudden clash of wings migrate to the tallest grass that will be their security for the night. A wave of cool crisp air descends from above and challenges the last radiation of the setting sun. In the fading light the imagination projects images on the consciousness of wisps of smoke rising from hide tepees, and herds of bison grazing on the horizon. To Southward a lone butte is silhouetted in the twilight, a place of ancient ceremony and buffalo jumps. All motion in that moment seems to cease, as if the earths magnetism has locked all animate objects into the indelible image of a still photograph, black and white. The dogs sense hesitation and briefly pause to check in but remain on sensory overload with the sight and sound of birds in the air, and better scenting conditions from the settling atmosphere. Like us, they are addicts who must consume this perfection to its greatest extent, as unconsciously we know these moments are not absolute.

In Memory of Havilah Babcock

Havilah Babcock, a True Southern Gentleman

Quote

"Educator, author, and outdoorsman, Havilah Babcock was born on March 6, 1898 in Appomattox, Virginia, a son of H.C. and Blanche Moore Babcock. He married Alice Hudson Cheatham in 1919. They had one son, Hudson Homer Havilah. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1918 and a Bachelor of Philosophy in 1919 from Elon College in North Carolina. His Master of Arts was from the University of Virginia. Babcock received his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1927. Prior to that he had served as professor and head of the department of English at Elon College and associate professor and head of the department of Journalism at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Whether in good health or bad, Babcock could not resist the pleasures of hunting, fishing and gardening, which occasionally came into conflict with his teaching duties. During one hunting season, Babcock’s enterprising and fore-sighted secretary posted on the bulletin board, “Dr. Babcock will be sick all next week.” This great love of outdoors provided the inspiration for many of his essays and short stories."

My bet is he scheduled his infirmity for the opening week of quail season. As Jimmy Buffet so eloquently stated "Yes I am a pirate, 200 years too late, the cannons don't thunder theres nothing to plunder I'm an over 40 victem of fate." That feeling rings true to me when I read of Babcock, or the Lewis and Clark expedition. How would it have been to participate in such an epic adventure as the exploration of the land West of the Contenintal Divide, or to spend a day shooting Quail with a man such as Mr Babcock? One can only imagine.

Product Review

Cabelas Dry Plus Chaps



Just wanted to pass along news of a really good deal. These Dry Plus Chaps from Cabelas are quality gear and a great addition to an upland hunters tools. I start using mine on those mornings in the mid season when the frost covers the prairie, but turns to dew late AM. Those days can soak your feet from the moisture wicking through your pants and into your socks. These chaps totally eliminate that problem, and provide protection from briars to boot. I find this product far superior to the waxed cotton we bird hunters have used in the past. They are much lighter, easier to put on and take off, and allow moisture vapor to escape so no sweating. They are also just heavy enough to provide some extra insulation on those very cold days, but light enough you hardly know your wearing them. They are on sale now for $29.99, and at that price I am going to buy an extra pair myself!

Where Have All the Good Times Gone?

There has been quite a bit of conjecture over the current state of Mearns Quail habitat in Southern Arizona this year. 2007 and 2008 reportedly produced the best range conditions and therefore the best reproduction years in recent memory as accounted by those who have hunted the birds for years. My observation is that conditions this year were a shocking comparison to the last two. Blow one was the result of poor monsoon rains in the Summer which did not allow the grass that the birds rely on for survival to grow. The knock out punch was landed through poor judgement by the National Forest Service which allowed grazing to continue and in some cases increase on ground which should have been out of the grazing rotation in this poor range year.

Grazing is an important element in the management of public range lands in the West, and proper management of grazing leases on public land is fundamental to the health of these resources. There is continuing debate on how much grazing is too much, and plenty of scientific theories to support either side. I truly believe we could achieve better results by tempering the scientific with a little plain common sense. I have visited most of the last remaining grasslands in this country and without exception where public land is leased for grazing, it appears overgrazed.

Just like every other facet of the federal government, the process is so cumbersome that the process drives the decision making. Common sense would dictate that on a poor range year, grazing animals per unit should decrease with the available grass. But to change management decisions on a seasonal basis would require a lean and flexible system, nothing like the clogged and no common sense system of management by our government that we have all become so accustomed to.

Is it common sense or a complicated scientific equation that we cannot be expected to understand without a masters degree in biology? You decide.


Canyon X 2008



Canyon X 2009

Season Pictorial 2009

Arizona



My new hunting partner. She has a deposit with Dave Walker for a Brittany due in March. We covered 3 miles of Sky Island Savannah this day. I think she's got what it takes, and is quite stylish to boot!



My old hunting buddy. He's becoming quite experienced for a 9 year old.







Kansas










Nebraska & South Dakota









Colorado



The big cat was after the same Pheasant as us.

Childhood Memories

How long do those special moments we experience as children stay with us? My clearest childhood memories mostly have to do with some outdoor activity like walking in to my fist point over a staunch setter, a swarm of ducks over Avents blind, or the anticipation of drawing my bow for the first time on a deer.

Yesterday, memories were made for my 9 year old son and I. Grant has really progressed with his ability to handle his Benelli Montefeltro 20 gauge, so after an all night snow shower we headed up to the preserve for some dog work and for Grant to attempt to take his first rooster.

First contact was a hard rock point by the veteran Sabrina with a back by Gigi. Grant moved to the downwind side of the point and set up as I
moved in for the flush. It was a beautiful flush and one shot kill for Grants first bird. I am not sure who was more proud but one thing is for sure, the hunting bug has bitten and I think we made a lifelong bird hunter yesterday.

Completed Dog Box

11/10/09 Part II



I consider the dog box project a great success. A little heaver than I had hoped at around 80 pounds but the strength and insulating properties both live up to my expectations. The pups love it and call it home as I have placed it in their kennel to keep them warm while I am at work during the day.

The painting process went well. I sprayed the finish and applied two coats of one part product over a two part primer. Be aware that if you use epoxy resin to construct your box, unlike polyester resin, the epoxy is not compatible with a one part primer. It can be confusing because the one part paint can be used with one part primer but you must also maintain compatibility with the substrate.

I will probably add some snaps on the side vents so I can attach a canvas cover over them when the temps become frigid. Bob Welch's doors already have a removable aluminum partition to close off the door from the weather. The top of the box has an inch and a half lip that I built in to allow placing items on top for storage and to keep them from rolling off. This has proven itself to be very useful for Ecollars, shell boxes, and all of the paraphernalia that we bird hunters require.

New Ranch - The Work Begins

I was fortunate enough recently to close the deal on a great 5 acre parcel of property that will be the new home to the family and I. The property has a private drive and is bounded on two sides with water. The property has alot of diversity for 5 acres. There is a 3 acre pasture that will be planted in grass and shelter belts, and about an acre and a half along a substantial creek that will be managed for native cover with food plots.The irrigation water is plentiful, so my first order of business after re fencing the property will be to get the grass cover, shelter belts,and food plots planted. I have been busy clearing and grading around the site and am preparing the food plot areas to be planted next Spring. I have quite a bit of Tamarisk removal to accomplish along the creek and am starting on that now. I plan to manage the property as a wildlife preserve and for bird dog training, and will raise Pheasants and Chukar to qualify the Ranch as an agricultural enterprise. At some point down the road I may start a kennel operation.

The property is a diamond in the rough. It has views of the Colorado National Monument to the South and the Bookcliff range to the North. I am truly fortunate to be able to own this piece of Gods creation. There are several coveys of Gambles Quail and a few Pheasants already established on the ranch and I plan to manage the resources to increase their population. You gotta love the opportunity we have to live the "American Dream"!

Summer Project - Insulated Dog Box, Part One

It seems I can never have enough construction projects going. Along with the construction management of the eight million dollar recreation center I have to finish this Summer, I decided to build a new two compartment dog box to keep things interesting. I am an avid boat builder and enjoy working with wood more than aluminum so I set out to experiment with some insulated composite panels. The knowledge gained using this system will certainly be useful in future boat building projects.

The procedure was to laminate 5mm Luan plywood to 5/8 polystyrene insulation to create the sandwich panels. These component panels were then assembled as the box. The adhesive used was West System epoxy and was also used as a coating to make the assembly waterproof. Fiberglass mat and tape was used on the bottom, corners, and handles to create extra strength and abrasion resistance. I tested a small sandwich of the assembly for adhesion compatibility prior to cutting and gluing the main panels, as polyisosyanurate is generally used for this application but is very expensive. My adhesion test showed the polystyrene insulation failed before the glue joint gave way, and that is all you can expect from a compatibility stand point.

I will be painting the assembly with Interlux yacht paint so a good finish requires lots of sanding. Sanding is the primary labor involved with working with epoxy. I once asked a renowned Carolina sport fishing boat builder if a guy with good carpentry skills could build a boat. He said you didn't need many carpentry skills, you just needed to know how to sand.

Here is the main shell ready for interior paint. I decided to assemble the top after the inside painting to allow for easier access.



Here is the box with the prefab aluminum doors dry fitted. I purchased my doors from Bob Welch over at Wing Works. He manufactures and sales a great line of vests and accessories and recently completed his own dog box project which was written up on the Living With Bird Dogs Blog. I highly recommend these doors if you are contemplating a dog box project.