This is all kind of redundant, but there is nothing I enjoy better than being in chukar country with my dogs. We don’t have to find chukars to enjoy the outings. There’s always something to learn, and I can’t think of a better way for me and the dogs to stay in condition. We very rarely find chukars this time of the year, and today was no different.
When chukars are nesting, you just don’t find them. Those who think we are out there harassing chukars during the nesting season haven’t been out much this time of the year. Mother Nature has done a magnificent job of masking ascent and giving birds places to hide.
One of our interesting finds for the day was some afterbirth left by a doe who must have earlier had a fawn. Just kind of cool and something you don’t find every day.
Another fun thing to see this time of the year is all the grasshoppers. They’ll be feed for chukars in the next three or four weeks.
In a small way, each hike is a learning time for Layne. She has never drunk from a bottle, but she’s learning from Grady and where to come when she gets thirsty. Seems silly, but the more we repeat simple tasks like this, the sooner our canine partners learn how to work with us as a team.
But the main reason for these outings is getting Layne accustomed to the type of country she will be hunting in next fall. And at 14 1/2 weeks, she is loving getting out in the brush. She does give a little whine once in a while when she can’t see either Grady or me. And she’s hunting. Not by scent yet, but she points at birds she sees if they are not moving and gives short chases when they fly. Her favorite are the killdeer around the house. Oh, what a pretty point when the killdeer play their injury game.
I never get tired of seeing that. I understand Matt Strong, who has one of Layne’s siblings, is using her nose on birds already. What a great group of pups. I’ll end this post with a couple of videos of Layne on today’s jaunt.
What a great way for the three of us to enjoy the mountain as a team.
One last thing. Layne is retrieving a full-size chukar back to me now. She’s only got the bird completely in her mouth once, but finds a way of carrying the bird by the feathers or legs most of the time. She likes to whip it a little, but still gets the bird to my hand.
I love getting out with the dogs and seeing their enthusiasm to be out there, also. Pray for a good hatch and a fun season to come.
The Reigning Chukar Champions 