Southern California hunting

Valley Quail hunting is tough in Southern California this year.  I got out a couple weeks ago, in good cover, and found no birds in a few hours of hunting.  Tried another good spot today that usually holds one or two good-sized coveys.  Found three birds, apparently the remains of a covey.  In some ways that is even more discouraging - I found the birds that were in the area, just not many of them.  They flushed wild, individually, and though I had shots I kept the gun down.  Let them go and hope for more rain this winter.

Good news was that Maggie made a nice point on a hot spot.  If there had been a single I probably would have shot it for her.

The Imperial Valley is a different story.  Last weekend a buddy and I found several coveys of Gamble's Quail on the edge of the desert.  They feed in the edge of the fields and then jump back into the thick stuff quickly.  We did get a few shots and killed a couple of birds.

Also found LOTS of mourning dove.  Walked one field and must have pushed 500 or more into the air in front of us.  This time of year they are very spooky and the shooting was tough.  Also had collared dove coming by very high.  Dumped a couple of them and felt quite pleased, though the percentages were not good.

And whacked one pheasant, an old guy with long spurs.  Took 4 shots to knock him down.  My second barrel did the trick, a high-speed load of #6 in my 12ga.  It was a long shot and I was pleased with that one too.

Could have had a couple of ducks too.  Found a small pond on the GPS, walked through the tules to get a look thinking "there could be ducks here", but the gun was filled with dove loads.  Dumb.  Four mallards got up 10 yards away from me, easy shot if I had been carrying my 12ga with loads of tungsten matrix.  Not sure how I would have retrieved those birds though.

OK, who's kidding who?

In Northern Montana earlier this month, Pete and I found this sign posted on a waterfowl production area (WPA)...

I assume that this was not posted prior to the "Government Shutdown", since it was not known that this would happen until it did, in fact, happen.

So... with no money to operate, the federal WPA management found the funds to print signs, purchase gas and drive US Govt trucks around posting all the public property to deny public access. With 'volunteer' agency personnel. And then, they found 'volunteers' to burn more fuel in government trucks driving around to patrol the grounds, keeping the public off public lands.

So who is kidding who, here?

Lead ammunition ban in California

I noticed a short article in yesterday's SF Chronicle - looked it up today and it has already passed the legislature and is waiting for a signature by Governor Brown. First time I have seen the legislature act quickly on anything.

From the Santa Barbara Independent minutes ago:

A bill that would ban all lead ammunition for hunting statewide by 2019 — making California the first state to do so — has passed the State Legislature and is sitting on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk.

The bill, officially known as AB 711 and cosponsored by Assemblymember Das Williams of Santa Barbara, would see the state’s Fish and Game Commission set regulations by July 1, 2015, that phase in the use of non-lead bullets for all hunting. The requirements would be implemented by July 1, 2019.

Will I have to retire my bird guns and buy a plastic quail gun?

Which ones to keep?

I don't like to own guns that I don't use.  My current favorites are a 16ga A-grade Fox and a 16ga Lindner Daly.  Both are outstanding upland guns and they are likely to be my primary upland battery for many years.

But I have a couple of gorgeous British 12ga best guns  ...










































A Westley Richard droplock and a Purdey island lock.  I think they are among the most lovely guns ever built and I shoot both of them quite well.  But I have not shot them much for at least the last 5 years so now I am wondering if it is time for someone else to enjoy them for a while.  No one really owns guns like these, you are just the caretaker for a while, and eventually it is time to let go.  Something to ponder over the coming months.

Low blood sugar, etc.

I got out for a walk with my pups this morning east of San Diego.  Temps had finally dropped a bit and we had a couple of nice hours.  Then Maggie ran out of gas quite suddenly and, a few minutes later, lay down with mild convulsions.  That scared me a bit so I walked / carried her back to the car as fast as we could get there.  Headed straight to the vet and found that her blood sugar was 53; should be between 75 and 125.  Went home and got some glycocharge and some food into her, this afternoon she seems to be fine.  The vet is going to do comprehensive blood work but I suspect I just need to carry some glycocharge with me on walks over an hour or so.  Anyone else have similar experiences?

On a related topic, I've been using electronic maps from Hunting Maps USA for a couple of years and they have really paid off.   This morning I was on national forest land that a couple years ago I thought was private.  It was a lovely valley, ringed with oaks and chaparral; we pushed a covey of quail and saw a small flock of turkeys.  Those who prospect best find the most birds, and these maps really help the prospecting.

Little updates

I have been neglecting my blog tasks. If you are a follower, I apologize. I have been rebuilding an old 1947 Willys CJ2A and this, plus work, plus the usual buzz of life have kept me busy.

I have been fooling with my new setter pup - Andy - and it looks like he will not disappoint. Now going on seven months I have spent enough time with him to actually provide him with a registered name - Wenaha Black Storm.

We (the dogs and I) are heading to NE Montana in a few weeks for annual summer training. Mostly a chance to run - and hopefully, train - the dogs on wild sharp-tails and Huns. I'll be there with my friend Paul Garrett. Living in a pasture in the Airstream with nobody around should help clear my head.

For the dove season opener, Pete and I will be in Imperial County, not far from Yuma and the Mexican border. Last couple years we have done well on mouring doves, white wings, and collared dove.

I have also pruned the blog list down and fixed a major omission - I added the Mallard of Discontent to the list. If you have not yet visited Chad's blog, please do so... the voice of passionate reason.

Worked Maggie on planted chukar today for the first time.  She liked them.  Apologies for the poor-quality cell phone picture.  Found that my camera had a dead battery.  Her tail position was generally better than this, tapped the button at just the wrong time.

 



Her first point was at 200+ yards.  I was working her quite a ways downwind of the planted bird, just getting her into the flow, when she stopped 100 yards from me.  At first I thought was just stopping to pee or poop, but then I got a bit closer and she was clearly pointing.  Looked at the trap and the wind direction was perfect.  Released her and she relocated 50 yards below the bird, held staunch until the flush.  Very gratifying.  Huns and sharps should be trembling.

Was out with a friend who is training his first pointing dog (a GSP) after many years of handling and competing labs.  His pup has been moving after first scent, sliding closer to the bird, and creeping even after stopping.  Today we used a launcher and blew out the birds immediately when the pup scented but failed to lock onto a point, and immediately hit him (gently) with an e-collar.  Did that twice and the pup showed very nice manners on the next couple of birds.  Pleasant to see training come out well.

Really pleased with the weather.  Should have been 80+ degrees, even where we were working at 6,000 feet, but a storm is coming through with lower temps, humidity, and a nice breeze.  Sweet.