Posts Tagged ‘timberdoodle’

A Bird Dog’s Life List

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Me & Tram after putting a checkmark next to ruffed grouse on her life list.

Over the holiday weekend, I caught up on some reading.  An article in the most recent issue of The Pointing Dog Journal particularly caught my attention.  The piece titled “My Bucket List” was written by Tom Davis, also a contributor to the Pheasants Forever Journal.  As the name implies, Tom writes about the hunting adventures he’d like to have before he passes on.  It was an interesting read and likely follows thoughts many of us have this time of year as we review our calendars, health, and dog power for the coming autumn.  I wrote a similar blog post a year ago titled “My Bird Hunting Bucket List.” 

However, what really grabbed my attention was Tom’s tally of the wild upland game bird species shot over his bird dog.  Turns out, this sort of “Bird Dog Life List” is fairly common.  A couple of guys; Joseph A. Augustine (English Setters) and the renowned Ben O. Williams (Brittany) have even penned bird dog hunting books on the topic.  The consensus is twenty different North American upland game birds constitute a “Grand Slam.”    

So as I look toward my own German shorthaired pointer’s fourth season, I have taken inventory on Trammell’s own bird hunting life list.  Here is Tram’s current tally: a) species I successfully shot over her point, b) the year it occurred and c) the state in which it took place.

  1. Ruffed Grouse, 2007, Michigan
  2. Pheasant, 2007, Minnesota
  3. Timberdoodle, 2007, Michigan
  4. Hungarian Partridge, 2008, Montana
  5. Sharp-tailed Grouse, 2008, Montana

In some respects, I look at that list and feel guilty.  There’s the greater prairie chicken I missed in South Dakota’s Fort Pierre Grasslands last year.  And there’s the doggy plane ticket to Georgia I couldn’t afford preventing bobwhite quail from hitting her list. 

On the other hand, three seasons with Tram have been the best three seasons of my hunting career.  And if you consider the dozens of states and subspecies necessary to reach double digits, a guy could go broke chasing this list.  Plus, I’ll be in the Fort Pierre Grasslands in three weeks and I smell redemption.  Come to think of it, I’ll be in Nebraska (bobwhite quail) and Kansas (lesser prairie chickens) in November too.  Hunting season is here and things are looking up!

In the comment section below, post the following: a) your dog’s breed, b) your dog’s name, c) your dog’s age, and d) how many birds on his/her life list so far?

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Dogs, Hunting, Pheasants, Pheasants Forever, Quail | 1 Comment »

Thinking Spring

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Have you heard the cackling of roosters this spring?

It’s supposed to break 70 degrees today in Minnesota.  Those temps have got me thinking about spring.  Here’s a mixed bag of what’s rattling around in my head today.

Pheasant Mating Season: Have you heard the roosters cackling?  That’s right, it’s mating season for ringnecks with the all-important nesting season right around the corner.  The peak of the pheasant hatch typically occurs about June 10th.  My fingers are crossed for a warm and dry early June in states like Iowa, North Dakota and Minnesota to help the birds rebound after a harsh winter.  In western states, I’m hoping for some early spring rain to green up the vegetation and kick off insect production.  Did you know that pheasant chicks’ main diet right out of the shell is a high protein insect buffet?  It’s true.  Learn more about pheasant nesting season and the ringneck’s lifecycle by following this link.  Also stay tuned to www.PheasantsForever.org.  PF’s super intern Jared Wiklund is putting the polishing touches on Pheasants Forever’s 2009/2010 winter impact assessment.

 

Morel Mushrooms: According to www.Morels.com, folks have already found morels as far north as Ohio and Indiana.  It seems like we may be in for an early mushroom hunting season this year.  Excellent! 

Boat Shopping: My wife Meredith and I are in search of our first boat.  As a household with two non-profit incomes (Meredith works for Ronald McDonald House Charities), it’s going to be a used starter boat.  We’re looking for a skiff that will satisfy our fishing focus of muskies, pike, bass, and panfish . . . with a little sun deck for the gal when the fish aren’t biting.  Hopefully we find one this evening . . . the ice is coming off Bald Eagle Lake today – our neighborhood fishery.

College Sports Predictions:

NCAA Basketball Champ: Michigan State University Spartans

NCAA Hockey Champ: Miami (Ohio) University RedHawks

Timberdoodling: That’s right, Trammell (my German shorthaired pointer), pointed her first woodcock of the spring on a WMA near Forest Lake, Minnesota last evening. 

WMAs closed to dogs on April 16th:  Speaking of bird dogging, please remember that Wildlife Management Areas in Minnesota are closed to dogs on April 16th through July 14th to protect ground nesting birds like pheasants and ducks.  Please be sure to check with your state’s natural resources agency to find out when your public lands are off limits to canines.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Pheasants Forever | No Comments »