|
|
 |
Author |
|
| Message | |
|
Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 17, 08 3:59 pm Post subject: Tom proves himself (and Jack's first woodcock) |
 
|
Went rough-shooting with Jack (Gent) this morning on a farm near Tiverton. Tom, my German Shorthaired Pointer was having his first day as a proper gundog, so I wasn't expecting a great deal. We were after deer initially, but the hunt came through the other day and the deer still haven't returned to the land, so drew a blank there.
So Jack and myself got out the shotguns and went to work the hedges for birds. Not much bar fieldfares and swamp on the way down, saw a couple of snipe but they were too low for a safe shot (there is a public footpath nearby), so I let them go. At the bottom of the farm, near a small stream, Jack stayed in the field whilst I took Tom into the undergrowth. It was thick brambles and too overgrown even for a dog, so we made our way back when Tom stopped and pointed, then advanced a step or two and flushed a woodcock straight towards Jack, who took it with his second barrel (the little bugger - I was shooting for three years before I got my first woodcock, and this was his second time out).
Jack had the bug now, and wanted to work every hedge in the county, so we headed uphill on the other side of the farm, and Tom was quite reluctant to go into the hedges, which I took as inexperience or idleness on his part, and tried to send him in but with not much luck. When were were near the top, however, he pointed again, and I called him back (he came as good as gold). when we were in position, I told him to "Go on!" and he stepped forward again, sniffed the air, and advanced to the hedge. A lovely cock pheasant took flight, and although it flew away from us and out over the next-door farm (so could not be shot), Tom had more than proved himself.
He wasn't going into hedges not because he didn't want to, but because his wonderful nose told him there was nothing there. He worked some more hedges but there was nothing in them.
So, a very muddy Thomas, a very happy Jack and a Brownbear glowing with pride, swinish self-satisfaction and delight made their way back to Exeter and some of Madame Bear's paprika sausage and lentil casserole (*parp*).
The Gun with Pointer assisting.
Jack and woodcock. |
|
|
|
 |
mochyn
Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales
|
|
|
|
|
Jonnyboy
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.
|
|
|
|
|
sean
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon
|
|
|
|
|
Northern_Lad
Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere
|
|
|
|
|
sean
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon
|
|
|
|
|
welsh lamb
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 409
Location: Gwynedd
|
|
|
|
|
lettucewoman
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 7834
Location: Tiptoe in the Forest!!
|
|
|
|
|
GENT
Joined: 03 Jun 2008
Posts: 387
Location: Student diggs- coventry.
|
|
|
|
|
chez
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
|
|
|
|
|
Jonnyboy
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.
|
|
|
|
|
Ginkotree
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 2956
Location: south west wales
|
|
|
|
|
Ginkotree
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 2956
Location: south west wales
|
|
|
|
|
|
(just jealous).
View Latest Posts