I took advantage of a pheasant hunt on Martin Luther King Day. It was noticed fewer hunters are out on a week day which made it nice. The last couple of hunts I saw new country and did some great sight seeing, but didn’t fire a shot. The exercise was great and watching the dogs work is always a treat.
I made a new contact for hunting with a very generous and kind landowner. He has known my deceased husband, Bill, for many years, thus, is willing to let me use his land occasionally to try out my new hobby. The CRP is lush, the grain and wheat fields border the grass and the water source is also available. There are some great tree rows that provide habitat for a few coveys of Bob White Quail. What a treat being on such lush hunting ground and getting into birds. I had four rooster pheasants get up at my feet and didn’t take one! On four of them I froze up and went into “sensory overload”. I couldn’t react. I fumbled around trying to get my gun off safety (my hands were so frozen the fingers wouldn’t maneuver). The reflexes just weren’t kicking in. It was like everything went into a delayed reaction. My partner was also having an off day, as he had a chance at my missed birds and didn’t take them either.
Later in the day after warming up and taking off a few layers, a rooster got up at my feet. This time I was able to react and pulled the gun to my shoulder almost quickly enough. The three shots I took didn’t faze him as he flew off cackling into the horizon. Jake then, had a bird get up in range. He’s a skilled shooter and finally got it together to take one. The dogs worked the bird scent and flushed them for us. There were many hens that flushed and a covey of quail. Jake had too heavy a shot to try at them.
It was a fun, beautiful day. The dogs and hunters were satisfied with a near empty bag. But most of the fun is being out into nature with friends and watching the dogs. I also stopped in to see a special friend and give the couple one of Bill’s 2010 wildlife and fishing guides.
I have at least two more opportunities to be out before the season ends. This coming weekend my son-in-law from Granbury, TX and a couple of his friends will do a hunt. Reflecting upon what needs to occur I’ve decided that in 66 years, my reflexes have slowed up and I thus need to do some exercises that will quicken the reflexes and find a wii game to play that helps my brain focus better. Becoming a hunter takes time, practice and more than getting the proper equipment. I’m being patient with myself and having a good time.
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I took advantage of a pheasant hunt on Martin Luther King Day. It was noticed fewer hunters are out on a week day which made it nice. The last couple of hunts I saw new country and did some great sight seeing, but didn’t fire a shot. The exercise was great and watching the dogs work is always a treat.
I made a new contact for hunting with a very generous and kind landowner. He has known my deceased husband, Bill, for many years, thus, is willing to let me use his land occasionally to try out my new hobby. The CRP is lush, the grain and wheat fields border the grass and the water source is also available. There are some great tree rows that provide habitat for a few coveys of Bob White Quail. What a treat being on such lush hunting ground and getting into birds. I had four rooster pheasants get up at my feet and didn’t take one! On four of them I froze up and went into “sensory overload”. I couldn’t react. I fumbled around trying to get my gun off safety (my hands were so frozen the fingers wouldn’t maneuver). The reflexes just weren’t kicking in. It was like everything went into a delayed reaction. My partner was also having an off day, as he had a chance at my missed birds and didn’t take them either.
Later in the day after warming up and taking off a few layers, a rooster got up at my feet. This time I was able to react and pulled the gun to my shoulder almost quickly enough. The three shots I took didn’t faze him as he flew off cackling into the horizon. Jake then, had a bird get up in range. He’s a skilled shooter and finally got it together to take one. The dogs worked the bird scent and flushed them for us. There were many hens that flushed and a covey of quail. Jake had too heavy a shot to try at them.
It was a fun, beautiful day. The dogs and hunters were satisfied with a near empty bag. But most of the fun is being out into nature with friends and watching the dogs. I also stopped in to see a special friend and give the couple one of Bill’s 2010 wildlife and fishing guides.
I have at least two more opportunities to be out before the season ends. This coming weekend my son-in-law from Granbury, TX and a couple of his friends will do a hunt. Reflecting upon what needs to occur I’ve decided that in 66 years, my reflexes have slowed up and I thus need to do some exercises that will quicken the reflexes and find a wii game to play that helps my brain focus better. Becoming a hunter takes time, practice and more than getting the proper equipment. I’m being patient with myself and having a good time.
