Dakota on the horizon

[birdawg]

Who is heading to the Dakotas?

[Jim Cloninger]

Nice pictures Jess! Of course, that is your business. Have you ever led a group of hunter-photographers on a hunting/photo trip? I hope you share more of your pictures in the future.
Jim
PS - Is that you in the second picture.

[birdawg]

Thanks Jim,
it looks like it might be good to holds off a week or so to head to the Dakotas. Blizzards coming!.
No I have never lead a group like that. For me it is hard to hunt and photograph at the same time. They each seem to require undimmed attention for at least part of the day. I guess you could split a group up in one group hunting while the other learned how to photograph them the switch.

The man in the photo is Dave "the general" Gruber. A deceased friend and sometime hunting buddy. Dave was the host of Benelli's Bird Hunting America and Outdoor America TV show. The photo was taken a during his last hunt in North Dakota. Sadly Dave passed away from falling down stairs while getting ready for a Oklahoma hunting we were going to do.

I am the red neck holding the 1st generation D grade Fox. One of my favorite Rooster guns.

[DarylC]

I'll be heading out to SD for the opener on the 19th. My 24th year I think. I'll be hauling a 20ga. SW and a 16 SW deluxe along with a few Parkers and a couple of veteran black labs.

[birdawg]

You are headed for a good time. I finally gave up on trying to decide on what dog was best so I bring a lab, gordon and lewellen setters.

[Sporrns]

I'll be heading out to SD for the opener on the 19th. My 24th year I think. I'll be hauling a 20ga. SW and a 16 SW deluxe along with a few Parkers and a couple of veteran black labs.

Daryl, I hope you guys get a break in the weather next week. About 15 years ago I had a business trip to Pierre and a former neighbor who worked there with the FAA hooked me up with some of his former local hunting buddies. I went out 2 days early and had the classic SD bird hunt - pheasants, sharptails, huns, etc. Perfect bird hunting weather - upper 40s, puffy clouds, light winds both days.

When the meeting was over 3 days later, I barely made it out of Pierre on a puddle jumper bound for the Twin Cities for my connecting flight back east.
A "blue norther" came in overnight bringing the leading edge of a blizzard. When I went to bed that night, it was 48 degrees; when I got up to go to the airport, it was 11! We took off at 0-dark thirty following a dump truck snowplow making a "final pass" at our runway. The snowflakes were the size of Ping-Pong balls and blew nearly horizontal to the ground. I remember thinking to myself, "these roosters had better be good"! Kevin

[DarylC]

The weather out there can certainly be fickle Kevin. The farmer sent a video today of 4-5 inches of snow and temps. in the 30's. Thirty miles due north they had 2 feet of the white stuff. Normally on the third weekend of Oct. we deal with temps. anywhere from the 50's to over 90. The cooler temps. will be welcomed by the dogs.

As you witnessed, blizzards out there are not to be taken lightly.

[Jim Cloninger]

Jess, that is dog power! How do you hunt wild Roosters with that gang of dogs?
Jim

[birdawg]

Not all at once for sure. I just use the setters for tree rows and small patches. The lab gets the bigger thickets and we stay out of the uncut corn.

[Researcher]

I am the red neck holding the 1st generation D grade Fox.

In actuality that is a 2nd or 3rd generation D quality Ansley H. Fox.

1st generation --

2nd generation --

or is it a variation on the 1st generation?

As always, great pictures Jess. Always enjoy your posts. Wish I was headed to the Dakots.

[birdawg]

Hi Dave
Hope your fall is starting off well.
Thanks for the comments. I have not had time to check in here often.
I had forgotten about the all scroll engraved d grade guns for some reason my mistake.
This gun is from 1909 per the Rowe Clark letter with the game scene inset engraving like the one on the web page as a early D.
Jess

[DarylC]

As always, great pictures Jess. Always enjoy your posts. Wish I was headed to the Dakots.
Share the knowledge

Researcher

We always have room for one more Dave.

[Researcher]

Fourth of July, Lookout, Homestake and Bozeman Passes on I-90 between me and the Dakotas makes that look ify with this years erratic weather!! Actually still staying close to home caring for elderly bird dog. She has now passed 17 years, 2 months. Joining you guys in Dakota would be great. My two best hunting buddies here both hit 70 and tipped over, one to cancer and one to congestive heart failure.

[Jim Cloninger]

Sorry to hear that about your hunting buddies, Dave. Keep us up to date on Skitso.
Jim

[loggy]

Jess,
I was in Island Park on Friday. The temperature ranged from -5 to 39. I took down the fly rods for the season and we closed the cabin. Must be getting soft.
John