Nice bag with young springer

blackstairsboy

Well lads got out this morning for a shot with the young springer. He hunted well with no finds. Entered a long narrow cover that always holds a few woodcock. A woodcock broke in front of the dog but offered no chance of a shot. He then flushed a hare which was a nice sight as he made his way across the frosty field. It was heavy going but I was rewarded when the dog became excited and entered a thick piece of cover and a cock broke. I dropped him dead and encouraged the young dog to retrieve him which he did. He dropped him gently into my hand without ruffling a feather my day was made. He continued to hunt well and I entered a good snipe bog. Two snipe broke and I dropped one ignoring the chance of a left and right. Again the dog retrieved him gently to my hand. I was so pleased I decided to head for home when I was in front.
A friend phoned me about going for a shot in the afternoon. I did not bring my dog as I did not want to over exert him. My friend has cockers and a labrador and they are serious dogs. We had a great afternoons hunting. First I bagged a mallard that was one of a pair that came off of a stream. We flushed plenty of pheasants but did not get a shot as they were all hens:D. It was approaching 4 pm and we were making our way down to a bog for duck when a pheasant flushed and flew over me as a driven bird. I was more than pleased when I saw him fall to my shot. We flushed 3 mallard off of the pond and these circled but did not offer a shot. They began returning at deep dusk and I managed to bag one with a great shot much to my surprise.;). Even more impressive was the retrieve by the labrador. She had to cross the river and then she hunted out the forestry block across the bog and returned with the duck after a few minutes. I was really impressed but she is an exceptional dog. My friend also bagged a teal and a woodcock to end up with a rather nice bag of 2 pheasants, 2 mallard drakes, woodcock, teal and a snipe. Not bad for a few hours rough shooting and really is a mixed bag. Added to that I bagged my first ducks. It really was a good day out and the young dog got a chance to prove his worth. He has big boots to fill but he is well on the way.

odders

thats a good day out alright heading out in the morning hope i am as lucky good shooting by the way:)

johnner1

well done great report, thats a fantastic mixed bag you got there:cool:
congrats on your first ducks, they make for great eating enjoy;)
i bagged my first teal couple of days ago it's in the freezer waiting to go in the oven with a mallard i got last week:D

jellybaby21

Nice going lads thats a nice mixed bag.

sean raff

not a bad way too spend a few hours

terminator2

nice haul you must be chuffed:D