NO, I'M JUST A ...(expletive)

 A fellow who came across my blog, wanted to know if I was a professional breeder or perhaps an end-all, pontificator of bird hunting.  I discouraged him by saying, "No, I'm just a ... (expletive)."   Compared to most, I'm a neophyte.  The blog is about the dog and my experiences--perhaps even the same sort that he was experiencing.

As a dog handler, I learned that 'our' biggest training problem is...(you guessed it) me.  There have been plenty of dogs in my life, but this time around, a higher standard is sought...hence my membership in the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.  Getting here (NAVHDA) has been an interesting journey.  When I get myself trained, the dog will be ready.

Nature's Bouquet

Years ago, I hunted deer...back before it became such a 'fashionable' and highly technical sport.  Being young and having much to learn--and also not one to sit still for very long--I would "still hunt" to apple trees and other food sources.  Often, a grouse would flush.  

Then, it finally happened...


Mid-morning in a deer season long ago, I took my shotgun, a model 1100 Remington and went into the woods.  The sun was bright, the air was warm and the leaves were dry.  The sweet intoxicating smell of autumn was in the air.  About a half mile from the house, the smells and grandeur of the day overcame me.  I unloaded the shotgun and found a good bed of leaves under an old oak.  Embracing the unpardonable deer hunting sin, I curled up in a comfortable ball and went to sleep.  Never had anyone slept on a more comfortable mattress.

Gone is the morning sun

I felt a chill and woke to discover that the morning's sun had set. With the arrival of an arctic front, temperatures were plummeting. It didn't take too long for me to cover the distance to home. I 'pondered' why I took a five hour nap and realized that I just didn't care.   

Upon my entering the kitchen, my mother said with her slight Quebec accent, "Did you catch a deer?"  ("Aw mom, you 'kill' a deer, you don't 'catch' one.")  "Well, did you see any?"


I answered, "Nope, nothing.  I didn't  see a thing."  (Certainly the truth.)  Convinced that I had 'little' to 'no'  interest in deer hunting, I thought about the possibilities of hunting wild birds with a dog.    That story unfolded over a long time...and is best told 'later'.

Present Partner and Companion