Headed out to my paradise on Sunday to check my cameras and glass for the upcoming rifle deer and elk season. Slim pickin's this year it looks like. Cool Bobcat on the camera though...
Camped out there to get an early start on the upland opener.
Woke up at 5am fed Maverick and we hit the road from camp to a close by area i have seen mountain quail in the past. As we pulled up to the area we were going to head out from we bumped 2 young bucks, It felt like a good sign. Once i had Maverick collared up and ready we got started on our hike, This was his first time on quail or any real wild birds, He was a nutcase!!! He managed to bust up 3 covey's in the first 2 hours of our hike, blowing any shot i may have had. He was so pumped he forgot how to hold point and was not listening to commands. After getting skunked for 4 hours we headed back to the truck, Needless to say i was not happy with him but I know he's still a pup and learning. As we were driving to our lunch spot i spotted a covey on the road ahead, parked the truck, grabbed the shotgun and left Maverick in the truck to watch what was going on. BANG!!! My first Mountain Quail of the season and my life in the bag! With the Dog whining and barking while watching the entire scene unfold I made my way back to the truck.
After lunch and a quick nap it was back to the task at hand. Maverick was sooo much better after missing out on the fun and me actually getting a bird without him blowing it. Amazing what a smart dummy he can be,
As we were driving to another location the First covey after lunch went running across the road into a clear cut, Mav looked at me and knew it was game time. Right out of the truck i gave him the heal command and dog by my side we headed into the clear cut. Told him "Break" and into search mode he went! then he pointed! the moment i was waiting for... I begun to kick around and all hell broke loose!! birds everywhere mout have been 20-30 of them if not more. Managed to get 2 out of the flush.
Managed to get into 4-5 more coveys. Couldn't believe how healthy the populations were. With Maverick still crazy but listening better and holding point (most of the times) we were able to do much better. All and all a really fun opening day for us. Those Quail were tasty too!! Can't wait to get out there again. Though i need to find another mountain side to hammer next time.
Camped out there to get an early start on the upland opener.
Woke up at 5am fed Maverick and we hit the road from camp to a close by area i have seen mountain quail in the past. As we pulled up to the area we were going to head out from we bumped 2 young bucks, It felt like a good sign. Once i had Maverick collared up and ready we got started on our hike, This was his first time on quail or any real wild birds, He was a nutcase!!! He managed to bust up 3 covey's in the first 2 hours of our hike, blowing any shot i may have had. He was so pumped he forgot how to hold point and was not listening to commands. After getting skunked for 4 hours we headed back to the truck, Needless to say i was not happy with him but I know he's still a pup and learning. As we were driving to our lunch spot i spotted a covey on the road ahead, parked the truck, grabbed the shotgun and left Maverick in the truck to watch what was going on. BANG!!! My first Mountain Quail of the season and my life in the bag! With the Dog whining and barking while watching the entire scene unfold I made my way back to the truck.
After lunch and a quick nap it was back to the task at hand. Maverick was sooo much better after missing out on the fun and me actually getting a bird without him blowing it. Amazing what a smart dummy he can be,
As we were driving to another location the First covey after lunch went running across the road into a clear cut, Mav looked at me and knew it was game time. Right out of the truck i gave him the heal command and dog by my side we headed into the clear cut. Told him "Break" and into search mode he went! then he pointed! the moment i was waiting for... I begun to kick around and all hell broke loose!! birds everywhere mout have been 20-30 of them if not more. Managed to get 2 out of the flush.
Managed to get into 4-5 more coveys. Couldn't believe how healthy the populations were. With Maverick still crazy but listening better and holding point (most of the times) we were able to do much better. All and all a really fun opening day for us. Those Quail were tasty too!! Can't wait to get out there again. Though i need to find another mountain side to hammer next time.
