Hunted Sunday, on dads birthday. Four of us on WIHA's where we hunted opening weekend. Any bird is a trophy in late season public access.

A couple hundred yards in have a point on a hen that held solid, then a double handful of birds get up ahead of us as we make the first pass. My shorthair goes on point at the end 20 yards from me and a rooster flushes a few moments later. Of course I try to bend the trigger off of my new to me, formerly grandpas, Model 12, damn small safety button anyways. Oh well, still birds to be seen.

Next field we see a good dozen+ On the first push. One rooster on the edge of range made it through to live another day. Had some more hen points. Then brother in laws lab goes into "holy crap there is something close mode" pounces a few times and rooster 1 is in the bag. Nice retrieve to go with the flush.


It may be 13 degrees, but he was thirsty dang it



Weather was so cold the camera didn't want to work and batteries didn't last for crap. Here is a retrieve off a perfect point. Should have been an easy double, but I short shucked the Model 12 and only got the one. Wanted a closeup as she brought it in but camera refused.


Dad finally got a rooster with his new 16 gauge side by side all by himself. Off a point by my shorthair (and retrieve) no less. I got a single on a wild flusher. Good retrieve by the lab.



That was the end of our shooting. Only saw a few birds after lunch but they were wild. Was encouraged by the number of hens we saw.

Not sure here you were but out west, roosters are showing up that must have been in a hole earlier. With a little luck on the weather, we might have some birds next fall.
There were dang few hunters west of Garden City this year, including residents.

It's always nice to sneak in another hunt before the season is up.

I took a doe on Saturday in unit 19, which worked out well, but I wish I was bird hunting.

Nice trip, and shooting, thanks for the report.

I enjoyed the report and the photos. It sounds like the dogs had a great time.

End of the season successful hunts are always special.

Enjoyed the story and pictures.

Doc

Thanks for sharing your pictures and story of your hunt. Have heard reports of some of the best bird #'s we have had in quite a few years, so I hope things hold for another good year next year.