The First Day of Hunting Season

I awoke Sept. 1 way too early. It was the first day of hunting season and I didn’t want to be late.

After a quick breakfast I loaded the dogs into the truck, double-checked my gear, and grabbed a mug of coffee.

On the drive down I worried that someone would be in my spot, but when I got there of course no one was. Opening day of upland bird season never draws a crowd despite my fears.

It was dark yet, and I sat in the truck listening to Ace whine in his box. When it was light enough I fastened Dot’s collar around her neck, slipped two shells into my shotgun, and hollered “Let’s hunt,” to no one in particular.

Dot took off like a rocket and Ace – at 12-and-a-half -- even trotted a few yards before he settled down and began walking next to me. From a distance it would appear he was a well-behaved hound at heel, however, it’s simply where he chooses to walk until we cross scent and he remembers what it’s all about.

Dot was soon into grouse and I dropped one with my first shot. Ace saw it fall before Dot did and he was quickly on it. A few minutes later Dot put up another bird, which I also hit, and she made the retrieve.

Two birds would be enough.

I’ll hunt more days than not from now until the end of the year and I seldom feel a need to fill my daily bag limit.

Dot and I snuck out the second morning while Ace was still sound asleep. I could hunt longer and harder with just the young dog and had high expectations when we left the truck.

They were quickly dashed.

My good shooting on opening morning didn’t hold up a second day. I came home empty-handed after a string of misses, and blamed my poor shooting on bad karma for hunting without Ace.

The next morning I loaded both dogs in the truck, but still couldn’t regain my mojo. Ace pooped in his box. I missed an easy straight-away right off the bat, and Dot needed a hand getting out of the creek.

Then Ace fell in a hole and had to be rescued.

It’s been a long wait.

I couldn’t be happier.

It’s hunting season again.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected]