A real hunt, more or less

We used pheasant at Luke Weaver's last Sunday, and the second one decided to run.

Larsen quartered his way out to the bird's last known position, and then swung around and headed off in a seemingly contrary direction.  He looked birdie and intense, so I followed him.  Al wasn't so sure, and lagged a little.  I wish I'd had my gun in my hands.

Larsen found that bird and put him up, but all of the guns were too far away to do anything but salute the bird.  Al thought he saw a tail feather waft.  The pheasant flew to the far tree line, so I roped up Larsen and we walked across the field to the trees.  I found a spot to release Larsen, and he went at a right-angle to my setup.  He found the bird, and put it up, and this time Al hit her a bit harder.  I released Larsen who went into the thick stuff to find the bird.  Larsen lost the bird and doubled back to pick up the scent.  He took a new tack to the wind and went back to the thicket.

I tried to follow but got tangled, so I backed out and just hoped for the best.  Periodically, I saw red and white flash through the briars.  Larsen tracked the bird down and brought her out, with a beautiful prance to his step.  His delivery was just short, but Marilyn recommended that I just pick it up, which I did.  Let's stay happy.

Larsen next went to the thicket and picked up another bird that had been shot but not found.

 A nice 20 minute outing that let the happy dog hunt without the bother of overhandling and whistling.