Upland Hunting, Bird Dog and Shotgun BS Thread

2 of my sons birds this season. Unfortunately I have no dog pictures... mostly because my dogs are miniature pinchers lol (thanks wife). So for the time being I play the part of the dog. But if it keeps him interested im more than happy to keep pushing the thickets for him.

 

So great to see the next generation interested in upland hunting. Enjoy

 

Good amount of ice followed by a bit of snow in January here in Illinois lent itself to some nice scenery. Ever resilient, the birds were present.

 

I wanted to share a compilation of shots I took this year hunting with my 11 year old GSP Dodger and my Dad's GSP Frankie at the DesPlaines Conservation Area in Wilmington Illinois. I managed to get out average of 3 days per week all season long and it was one to remember! I put a few photos in my album as well from our season! Keep the sport alive!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEMurdWZEYc&t=52s

 

This Brittany came home with me today, haven’t done much bird hunting or trained a dog for it at all but he has great bloodlines so I’m going to give it a shot.

 

Got into some quail last season with my new pup, Trudy. She’s learning very quickly! Also got my first high-end gun this year - Benelli Upland Ultralight 20ga.

Trudy is flushing quail anytime we’re in the field now. I keep training her often to see how well she does with a full quail season ahead of her. We kept a couple quail in the freezer for training through this summer. Just yesterday she flushed a covey on command!

I’m excited to put this Benelli to work as well. I don’t have any “fancy” guns but when I saw this thing on the shelf I couldn’t leave without it.

 

As much as I love shotguns I’ve always struggled to hit consistently. I know what I’m supposed to do; point not aim, swing through the target, lead the target more than you think you need too, etc. I took my trap thrower to the public range this afternoon to get some practice in anticipation of bird season this fall, and maybe develop some skills. For reference I have a Remington Spartan SPR-210 20 gauge SxS, which is a rebranded Baikal IZH-43C. Mine shoots to point of aim and the barrels are well regulated, I’ve patterned it to test it, and it has Carlson Sporting clays skeet and light mod tubes.

I went through my first box of shells with a little success, and suddenly something clicked. I blasted 5 in a row on the first shot on the second box... then started missing again. Then started hitting again, and finally realized what I was doing right, and wrong, and what it really means to “point” a shotgun: ignore the gun, ignore the bead, and focus my eyes only on the target as I bring up the shotgun and shoot. I’ve shot rifles and pistols all my life and almost instinctively look at the front sight... but when I stopped thinking and watched the target instead of the bead, everything flowed and the clays broke.

For the experienced shotgunners here, how did you get to where you can focus on the target consistently? Other than lots of practice, which I’m happy to do, how do I work to keep myself out of my own way? And how can I not have my rifle and pistol target shooting and hunting affect my upland hunting and target shooting?

 

I picked up a rooster while passing through last december, plan on doing that again this year.

 

First two quail of the season, that’s Winston my 2yo pudelpointer

 

We had an awesome season last year!

 

Even bagged some blue quail in New Mexica last season

 

His first pheasant in Kansas last Christmas

 

Time to start training the dogs again

 

Beautiful. I miss the heartland.

 

Sprig, Labrador Retriever. Best upland and waterfowl hunter I’ve ever had. Best trained - whistle signals, hand signals, blind retrieves. My best friend.

 

Got out with my dog for my birthday, we couldn't get to the spot I wanted to hunt, but made the best of it at an alternate spot. Only Gambels rooster to show for the effort, but my dog had 4 points on 3 singles and the covey. If only I was as good as she is..lol

 

Good looking pup! Hope the rest of the season, as short as it is, will be good!

 

Thanks! we got out for Mearns this weekend. The numbers are better this year and our dogs worked them really well.

 

Here’s my 10 year old Spinger, Abby. Great season, 15 flushes, 8 in the freezer.

 

Abby is a great looking pup.They get better every year of hunting and at 10 years they truly become masters of the hunt game. You are fortunate.