| Subject: Looking back |
Author:
Allen Butrum
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Date Posted: 10:03:46 01/20/12 Fri
Author Host/IP: nsc66.147.13-78.newsouth.net/66.147.13.78
Back in the early 80's (I was in my late teens) my family had a pointer that I, my brother and my father hunted.I went to feed him one night in January and his feet were swollen and he was run ragged from continuous hunting,I decided there I was going to get my own dog,that lead me to my 1 and only Red dog.I had seen pictures of an Irish setter my father had when I was a child,and being young and ignorant,I bought the first Irish setter pup I came across. Chip was soft on point,wanted to creep in right on top of a bird before he locked and flagged but....the dog was bird crazy.He would hunt at about 75 to 125 yards from daylight till dark and was an outstanding retriever. If he was with us we never lost a bird.We used him to retrieve ducks and when on a dove shoot,I would fire at the first bird and when I saw it was hit I switch to the next one with out a thought, knowing Chip would mark it and find it. He was in a great part responsible for me limiting most times because no birds were ever lost. He was the best hunting partner I've ever had, loyal always ready and full of go,in addition he got he through the most difficult time in my life. I lost him to a car on the road in 1985.
I had another bird dog after that but I missed that red flash and the retrieving perfection,the Tennessee quail crash setted the matter by 1990.
Since then I have followed feist dogs as a replacement but it's just filling time,it's not the same.
I have always wanted to have another red dog and bird hunt again,but the "bird" element is practicly nonexsistant now in this State except on game farms.
My question,for those of you who have done it,should I make the leap and try to find another Red bird dog knowing the hunting will be on the preserves and the only wild birds he could hunt would be dove shoots. I'm not sure that if I head down that road,I won't be dissapointed at the new reality of bird hunting now.
Oh how I miss that red dog working in the fencerows and thickets,his bell tinkling. I enjoyed it for only a short time,but in all my other outdoor pursuits in the years since, none have ever come close to bringing me the joy that did. What should I do?
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