Monday, November 23, 2009

The ground in front and that behind

I have been thinking that an upland hunter has a lot of ground to cover in North America. To take it all in - the birds, the country, the people and dogs - is a lifetime of hope, travel, and ultimately assimilation and learning.

There is still a lot of ground to cover. I hope to get to southern Arizona for Mearn's quail - I have never hunted there or even seen a Mearn's. Then there are willow ptarmigan and Alaska uplands.  And lesser prairie chickens. Some things call for a repeat after many years - hunting band-tail pigeons on the Coast Range comes to mind. 

I am not checking off items on a list, but this all leads to thinking about next season, even before this one has run out. Getting a bit older seems to sharpen the appetite for those things not yet tasted. 

7 comments:

Dale Hernden said...

Agree....Agree.....Agree

I'm starting with Kansas in January and VA. NC, SC and Ga. in Feb.& March.

Peter Houser said...

Getting older also teaches us to savor the ground that we stand on right now ... most easily done when savoring a drink, in a quiet trailer, after a day following the dogs.

Scampwalker said...

Well put, Mike. For me, it's all about experiencing new terrain, new birds, and new people. And somehow, gaining new experiences across this land makes me appreciate my home country even more.

Andrew Campbell said...

Amen! Can't imagine a life without dogs and birds. We should come up with a LWBD New Year's resolution list for 2010. GA and MI sound like good future spots to me.

Andrew

Jon Uhart said...

My biggest fear is that it all might be gone before I've had a chance to see it, to do it. Worse yet, our children might not ever understand us if they don't get to do it for themselves. I'm afraid "the good ole days" are behind us, and I was too busy not being born to have realized it.

Mike Spies said...

Jon

The 'Good Old Days' are now for all of us. We need to make the most of what is available to us now.

Dave Brown said...

Mike,judging by the shape you are in,your dogs and your shooting I am sure it won't be a problem.