Daybreak

Brisk this morning; about 12-degrees. I had just fed the dogs a cold-morning ration of feed with warm water, thrown the horses a couple flakes each and broke the one-inch-thick sheet of ice on their water trough. Looking to the east as I headed to the house for another cup of coffee, the sun was just ready to summit the distant juniper-covered ridges; quail and coyotes were sounding-off in the distance, ravens patrolling the roads for rabbits and other varmints which had had a bad night. After that cup of coffee it'll be time to fill dog waters and do the essential kennel maintenance. So-begins another day......

My Opener

 I generally consider November 1 the start of my upland hunting season. I'm not a fan of opening day crowds, mosquitos, pin feathers, or the heat, or snakes.... I like to run two or three dogs a day, one at a time; and in the early season, when it's hot, it's tough to do that. By November things have started to cool off, the crowds have thinned a little, and hopefully my dogs are tuned-up and ready to hunt. This past weekend there was a skiff of snow on the ground, a cool north wind, and things felt just right with a couple layers of wool up top, heavy pants and socks down below, nice gloves; perfect conditions......