Homeward bound

 Homesick such as I can rarely remember. I'm headed home.  Brian was so very understanding and kind about my need to head to CT.

12 hours or so in the saddle today and tomorrow.   Hoping holiday traffic won't be too bad.

7 flushes

 Great day of hunting with my son Brian.  We started out trying a steep section in a stand of mature aspens. going was difficult because the tall grass and plants (still soaking wet from previous night's rain) obscured branches and other obstacles.   We

We quickly abandoned that site and returned to the place where Brian got his bird yesterday.   Turned out to be a great call as We had 7 dusky flushes.  I saw the first one take off from some weeds but I thought he was too far away for a good shot.  Brian disagreed. 

We flushed 2 more from some pine trees and it appeared to us they only took a short flight to another tree.  We tried a variety of tricks to find them but they gave us the slip.  Brian flushed another one later which he said must have crossed right in front of me but I didn't see or hear it.  We had a lot of action but did not bag any birds.

After much thought I've decided it's time to wrap up this adventure.   Brian and I will have one last  morning hunt tomorrow m orning and then I will head home to CT.   Very much burnt out on camping for now and oh so ready for the comforts of home.

Fantastic summer.  So good to see my boy and his honey.  Life is good.

Dusksess!

 Brian arrived at my campsite at 4:30 PM yesterday and an hour later, we were clambering up steep inclines of conifers, Aspen and lots of vaccinium berries.  After about an hour we had a brief huddle to plan what to do with the remaining daylight when a Dusky, who'd been hiding nearby decided to panic and flew up into a pine tree. As we approached flushed from tree.  Brian got off a shot but bird didn't fall. A second dusky flush at nearly the same time  but neither of us had a clear shot 

This morning we headed back to the same cover, doing our mountain goat thing.  Brian spotted a Dusky  on a log that flew up into a tree.  He took the shot but the bird and another oneflushed.   We pursued the first b  bird when a male walked out in front of us.  Brian was in front of me a pace or two but his view was obstructed by a small tree.  I called "bird!".  Brian stepped to one side, saw and took 3 shots, last of which hit the dusky.    At that point we we had just 3 shells between us and headed back down to the car.  Pretty exciting ACTION!

Brian on  the board with a Dusky in his hand

Steep. 

D Day

 Crack of dawn,  I was up and got into my bird hunting gear.  Forecast called for thunderstorms to start at 3PM lasting through tomorrow  but dark clouds were already moving in.  

Cloudy, cool, and quiet; excellent conditions for hunting.  I could hear ATVs and some trucks already taking opening day hopefuls out to their chosen spots.  I had noted last week a spot where I'd  seen duskies.  2 miles from my campsite- can do.  

I headed up the road scanning for birds in the road and woods.  Several hunters stopped to chat about whether either of us had gotten any birds yet.  Some had bird dogs, some were in parties of four, some alone.  I was the only person on foot and wearing any orange clothing. 

On a whim, I took a side trip on a 3/4 mile spur that looked like it was rarely used.   Nearly level, it ran across steep terrain that duskies like. No birds today however. 

Back on track to my original destination.   Arrived, pulse rate elevated.   Duskies tend to stay in one area so there was every reason to think the birds I saw before were still here.  Very steep hillside with fallen trees strewn everywhere made for mighty tough going.   

Suddenly,  I heard a shotgun blast several hundred yards away.   Then a volley of four more shots.  Most likely multiple hunters shooting at multiple birds.   A while later a single hunter emerged from the woods with 2 duskies in his vest. No dog.  I congratulated him and he was glad to have the accolades.   It struck me that my scouting was pretty good and that had I not taken that side trip it might have been me with 2 birds in the bag.  Then again,  it's also possible that I  would not have flushed them at all.

I headed back to my campsite, checking likely covers along the way but wanting to return before the bad weather set in.  Made it.  Raining now but no lightning yet.

The Black Mountain wildfire was not visible last night but the news said it doubled in size and was expected to grow rapidly today driven by winds.  I'd think, the rains will slow it down.  Keeping an eye on it. 

Hopefully, more and better hunting tomorrow or Friday.   It has been really nice being welcomed by passers-by vs. the looks of fear and suspicion I often see back east.