Days Afield

Shooting Streak

The Streak

Rio the setter is holding just below a lip of pitted volcanic stone a few paces up this 60 degree slope. We’ve climbed for…

Charlie the Shorthair

Lost……again

“I am lost” “Going to shoot. Let me know if you can hear it.” “Hear it?” “I was 50 yards from the truck.” It’s…

truck tailgates

The Tailgate Obsession

Bird hunters seem to have an unhealthy fixation with placing birds on tailgates, bumpers, and hoods for photos. I honestly don’t get it. Upland…

Mountain Climbing with Bird Dogs

Finding Answers

Spike camp was two miles from base — as the raven flies not really that far in this expansive National Forest. But as flatlanders…

Bird dog and trainer

Winging It

This upland season is fast approaching. The preparations of the past few seasons manifested in paper and piles. Maps stretched over more maps to…

Final West Virginia Hunt

End of Season Omens

Rio the setter suddenly hits the brakes, sliding to a stop on a steep grade beside an old logging road being reclaimed by the…

Dead Deere

Depths of Cold

There seems no bottom to the depths of cold. It’s one of the few solace for hunting in frigid condition: could be colder, windier,…

Rio Like a Rock

Inroads

We’ve been coming to this area of the grain belt for over 20 years. It took the locals at least seven of those to…