Been running the dogs every sunday,only day I have to do it right now.Been at it for 7 weeks now.There has been a really good Gray partridge population this year and we make bird contact every time out.
Today my wife comes with us to see what we've been bragging on about how good the dogs are doing,mistake <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />.
A 100 yards from the truck,buds gsp goes on point and my setter honors the point,off to a good start for about 10 seconds.We start the walk up to make the flush and as soon as bud steps past his dog,the dog breaks point and charges the birds,my setter breaks and gives chase <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />.
I can already hear my better half,"He needs work" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />.
We regather and the dogs get a whoa lesson before we carry on.
It's decided that we split up and work seperate areas,bud works to the northwest into the wind and I make a big loop and swing southwest and will work into the wind from the opposite end of the stubble.I keep my setter in close and he's content to work the gopher holes,they're out now even with a fresh inch or so of snow on the ground.
I release Winston to hunt and off he goes. 75 yards out in front of me and the missus is an old barbwire fence in disrepair and tall grass that hasn't been knocked down by the winter snows.I don't want the dog in there before I can get up and control him,I'm a little gunshy from the earlier bad start.Anyways I can't see Winston and thought he was across the fence and into the next field.I thought my fears were realized when 2 huns get up and fly over us with a tailwind pushing them at mach 2,I was waiting for my setter to come sailing over the fence line in hot pursuit anytime.Then my wife spies something up ahead of us in the grass,it's Winstons tail and he's locked up solid on point.I go to the dog to staunch him up and send Pat in to make the flush,6 huns bust out right in front of her.I give a shot from the training pistol and we watch the birds sail off into the next quarter.Winston gets a well deserved hug and praise from us and we carry on.
We had 5 more points on doubles in that stubble field and picked up two more almost back at the truck.Buddy is at the truck when we got there and was happy to report that his dog settled down and they got into birds also,but not quite as many.
