Junior Pheasant Hunt

[Muddy Creek Britts]

Just took an ol' buddy of mine's boy out on his very first pheasant hunt for PA's Junior Pheasant Hunt. Two shots and two birds down. It's so rewarding having a kid get the chance to work behind dogs for his first time. He's fourteen years old, but he does lots of other hunting, just never with dogs. The first gameland was too crowded. Moved to one close by and there was almost no one there. His dad locked his keys in his truck, called his wife to make the 45 minute drive out to unlock it. By the time she got there, we had gotten our limit and were cooling down beside the vehicles.

Boy got a memorable day, Dad got to share it, my dogs got more time afield....but they didn't understand why the birds weren't coming home with us. Guess I'll have to pull one out of the freezer and boil it up for them. Gotta keep "the help" happy and motivated.

[etyson11]

Incredible read for a snowy day in Denver. It sounds like you had a great time and I'm genuinely a little jealous. Sounds like the kid had a great time too and was a pretty good shot.

[janet909]

Sounds awesome !!! A day that boy will never forget and just might get him interested for the long term I remember when the local DOW did a free "womans pheasant clinic". A day of learning, hunting and catered lunch. It was awesome and my husband was jealous. Then came the "womans duck hunting clinic". I had never hunted ducks but boy, was it fun. I just think it's great to give folks, young and old, a chance to do something that they wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do. Thanks for taking an interest in our youth !!!

[MaggieRocks]

Oh, lucky you! My husband wanted to take Maggie hunting for pheasant this afternoon, but our 16 year old nephew had to work! DH kept saying he wishes he knew another kid!!! That's ok...he's out archery hunting, anyway. Can't do everything!

[Jacksbuddy]

Awesome Brian, Glad you had fun.

[Cindy]

Sounds like a fun time. I wish you guys lived closer because I would love to go on a hunt. Just to watch the dogs - you wouldn't want me with a gun in my hand!!

[MaggieRocks]

Cindy, you could always go to a hunt trial!

[Cindy]

Where do you find out about them? I wonder if anyone in VA would have Britts - I very rarely ever see them around here but it's probably not the best bird hunting territory either.

[Muddy Creek Britts]

My ABC magazine says there are a couple coming to Tidewater...Oct 24 - 25, and Nov 7 - 8. Not sure what the difference is between the two. Odd that they're just a couple weeks apart. Maybe Karen knows more about it. The first one has a (W) after it, but I don't know what that stands for. Birds don't get shot at field trials. They just use a blank gun when the bird is flushed.

[MaggieRocks]

Where do you find out about them? I wonder if anyone in VA would have Britts - I very rarely ever see them around here but it's probably not the best bird hunting territory either.

I got Emma from a breeder in VA! And I know she does field trials and hunt trials. In fact, Emma's dad is a FC/AFC. Lots of other titles in her line, too, but I don't know how far she traveled to get to all the competitions.

Here's a link to AKC shows by state-
http://www.akc.org/events/index.cfm?s_k ... -358228992

[Muddy Creek Britts]

Where do you find out about them? I wonder if anyone in VA would have Britts - I very rarely ever see them around here but it's probably not the best bird hunting territory either.

My ABC magazine says there are a couple coming to Tidewater...Oct 24 - 25, and Nov 7 - 8. Not sure what the difference is between the two. Odd that they're just a couple weeks apart. Maybe Karen knows more about it. The first one has a (W) after it, but I don't know what that stands for. Birds don't get shot at field trials. They just use a blank gun when the bird is flushed.

Now that I had some time to think about it, the first dates with the (W) probably means that that one is a walking field trial. The other is horseback.

[Cindy]

I could really enjoy the one on horseback! I'll check into this some more. Thanks.

[MaggieRocks]

Cindy, let me warn you...wear something blaze orange. The first time I went to a hunt trial, I went by myself. (DH was hunting, go figure ) I knew NOTHING about them. Well, I wasn't wearing anything orange, so they wouldn't let me in!!! It wasn't a total loss...I wandered the parking lot, admiring the dogs and talking to people. But still, I was disappointed. So, go prepared!

[Muddy Creek Britts]

Cindy, let me warn you...wear something blaze orange. The first time I went to a hunt trial, I went by myself. (DH was hunting, go figure ) I knew NOTHING about them. Well, I wasn't wearing anything orange, so they wouldn't let me in!!! It wasn't a total loss...I wandered the parking lot, admiring the dogs and talking to people. But still, I was disappointed. So, go prepared!

You need orange at hunt tests because that is a live ammo event. Field trials don't require orange, since there is only a blank pistol being used. Bev, I went to a hunt test at Mason-Dixon Outfitters and didn't need to have orange, but that wasn't an AKC event, so maybe that was the difference. Plus we just watched from the parking road. I think we would've needed orange if we went out to the field with the competitors though. Some places are much more spectator-friendly than others, meaning at that some places spectators can see what is going on afield from the parking area.

[Cindy]

Thanks for the tip. I have lots to wear in blaze orange since I ride my horse throughout the Fall and Winter and there are so many people around here who hunt. I have a blaze orange vest, halter for my horse, a cover for my helmet, and even bells to dangle from my saddle. On top of that I talk and sing alot since I'm generally by myself. I've got the "make sure they know you're around" down pat!