We were lucky to have one of the best Thanksgivings ever (regarding weather): Slight breeze in our dogs faces and some 60`s-ish temperatures all day long. Imagine that.
From time to time we hit a public field or two, being that we are privileged to live so close to many great state managed areas. These fields have wielded many a great memory and bird limits, surprisingly sometimes.
Early Thanksgiving day we set out to hit a nice half section public field that is FLAT (my poor knees), and very well maintained. We got there 45 minutes before legal shooting hours. We got "dibs"...seemingly.
All throughout this hunt (which lasted 4 hours, we are that thorough), I saw in the distance cars and trucks stopping outside of the field, unloading dogs and stepping in for a bit and stepping out. I know these other hunters saw us because I waved to them a few times to alert them to our presence. Still they wavered in for a moment, to test the waters, as it were, and bust the scent trails we were following with our dogs. Disrupting the whole time.
I dont mean to bitch, as I am willing to share. Hell, contact me on the road and I`d love to hunt with you. Strength in numbers and all that, but this was simply not safe. I have already nearly got shot by a wayward deer rifle last week.
The thing is that where we were, there are 4 other big public fields within a 2 mile radius of where we were.
I`d like to touch on some etiquette for hunting public field:
If there are vehicles parked around a public field before you get there, move on, or at least try and make contact with those that are already there to establish some sort of boundary of the property. I realize its public domaine, but do we really need another hunting accident to make the whole scene look worse?
Its simply not worth it. GET UP EARLIER OR MOVE ON. Common courtesy/common sense. To quote Harley Jackson: "enjoy the outdoors and let safety, conservation and ethics be your guide". i could`nt put it any better than that.
Whoa. The diamond shot at a short distance did just what it was advertised to do:" hard hitting and a tight pattern". Ouch. We will let them get out a little further next time. (we made stock out of him FYI)
A sleeping bird dog and all the memories made the day TOTALLY worth it. We roasted up that rooster for our Thanksgiving dinner. What a great day.
I feel the mid-season moving in. Colder mornings and that sweater thats been hanging in my closet all summer long. I know where a covey of Quail is roosted a few miles from here. Gotta get rested up.
the very best to you,
AP
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