I was going through some pictures and it dawned on me that I didn't take the time to brag about my girl's first Quail season in FL (other than her first two wood ducks). I know I still have not shared her trip to Montana. I will do that.
So, the 2019/2020 season was her first hunting season. As a result, she really could do no wrong as long as she came back to me when called. I was fortunate enough to draw a permit for the Field Trial area of the Blackwater WMA over just north of Pensacola. So, Belle got to hunt our usual quail haunts as well as a place that is relatively new to her and me. Plus, she got to hunt a place that wasn't still pretty trashed from Hurricane Michael. It was a two day permit and we made the most of it. Two coveys of quail were found but I was practicing not being able to hit the ground with my empties. It's as pretty a place as you can hope to hunt though.
They have a really neat curly grass there that I haven't seen here. It's called Toothache Grass. Supposedly it acts as a numbing agent.
It was quite warm for February so afternoon stops at the river were necessary. Belle had finally mastered swimming and all she wanted to do was to be let go.
The second day that we were there, it was very smoky.
Somehow though, she managed to find a small covey of birds.
It got hot the second day so we quit early to head on home. We found out why it was so smoky.
It was interesting watching the fire folk burn the woods but we didn't stick around for too long. I like breathing and I find that burning pine sometimes keeps me from doing that.
We had a nice drive home
The rest of the season, before and after our lucky quota trip, we spent at my normal haunt. Looking for quail and woodcock. Woodcock were finally found after the season and Belle eventually found a couple of coveys as we tried different fields through out the season. You wanna talk tough hunting? Chase singles in the mess that surrounds the ponds. This is the "good" section.
But find them we did. Belle was happy to point dead birds but not so inclined to bring them back to me.
She was also happy to comment on my shooting ability.
The blowdown stuff is scary stuff. I don't always know what she is rooting around for. Somedays we would see something like this as we walk or drive down the roads so when I see her rooting around at something, I would get worried.
Luckily this was usually what I found when I would call her back.
But we had several good days. A few productive hunts. A few days where bird fever got the better of her (like when she found woodcock that wouldn't fly far). It was amazing to me that the worst things that happened to her was being eaten up by black berry thorns.
She also FINALLY learned to swim without looking like a drowning victim!!! Guess there was incentive with all of the blue herons and egrets to chase. She can hardly be sneaky when she is thrashing about.
Overall, I was very happy with her. She had tons of fun. She learned to hunt with me as opposed to heading off into the great unknown.
She found a few quail.
We saw some pretty sights.
And I had a tired girl every weekend....
Not a bad way to spend a season with a new pup.
Dani
So, the 2019/2020 season was her first hunting season. As a result, she really could do no wrong as long as she came back to me when called. I was fortunate enough to draw a permit for the Field Trial area of the Blackwater WMA over just north of Pensacola. So, Belle got to hunt our usual quail haunts as well as a place that is relatively new to her and me. Plus, she got to hunt a place that wasn't still pretty trashed from Hurricane Michael. It was a two day permit and we made the most of it. Two coveys of quail were found but I was practicing not being able to hit the ground with my empties. It's as pretty a place as you can hope to hunt though.
They have a really neat curly grass there that I haven't seen here. It's called Toothache Grass. Supposedly it acts as a numbing agent.
It was quite warm for February so afternoon stops at the river were necessary. Belle had finally mastered swimming and all she wanted to do was to be let go.
The second day that we were there, it was very smoky.
Somehow though, she managed to find a small covey of birds.
It got hot the second day so we quit early to head on home. We found out why it was so smoky.
It was interesting watching the fire folk burn the woods but we didn't stick around for too long. I like breathing and I find that burning pine sometimes keeps me from doing that.
We had a nice drive home
The rest of the season, before and after our lucky quota trip, we spent at my normal haunt. Looking for quail and woodcock. Woodcock were finally found after the season and Belle eventually found a couple of coveys as we tried different fields through out the season. You wanna talk tough hunting? Chase singles in the mess that surrounds the ponds. This is the "good" section.
But find them we did. Belle was happy to point dead birds but not so inclined to bring them back to me.
She was also happy to comment on my shooting ability.
The blowdown stuff is scary stuff. I don't always know what she is rooting around for. Somedays we would see something like this as we walk or drive down the roads so when I see her rooting around at something, I would get worried.
Luckily this was usually what I found when I would call her back.
But we had several good days. A few productive hunts. A few days where bird fever got the better of her (like when she found woodcock that wouldn't fly far). It was amazing to me that the worst things that happened to her was being eaten up by black berry thorns.
She also FINALLY learned to swim without looking like a drowning victim!!! Guess there was incentive with all of the blue herons and egrets to chase. She can hardly be sneaky when she is thrashing about.
Overall, I was very happy with her. She had tons of fun. She learned to hunt with me as opposed to heading off into the great unknown.
She found a few quail.
We saw some pretty sights.
And I had a tired girl every weekend....
Not a bad way to spend a season with a new pup.
Dani
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