My name is Jay and I am a bird hunter.
That is my only explanation after finishing my 2nd big game season in a row without shooting an elk, antelope or deer. I guess I just shoot birds. Not the worst habit to have, but is it better to be a specialist or be mediocre at a handful of pursuits?
Granted, I passed on a cow elk, two miles downhill from the truck, the day after Thanksgiving. On the final day of Montana's big game season, I also chose not to shoot a decent muley buck, after watching him through my scope for a few minutes. I was after a whitetail this year. And, I haven't drawn an antelope tag in two years. But, I live in the middle of Montana, so no excuses will suffice.
But, if you find yourself racing home from deer hunting at 9AM on the final day of the rifle season, to pick up your bird dogs and go hunt pheasants somewhere, you might be a bird hunter. The pheasants came easy this Sunday, the dogs had a great time and I hunted in a t-shirt in late November. To heck with deer and elk.
Sure am glad that Dad shared some of his elk meat, though.
At least you didn't fail to close on one of five bulls in four days of elk hunting. Mixed emotions, it was an unbelievable season, but at thee same time a nightmare. I've never been so close to so many big bulls i couldn't get a shot at. I too left skid marks for my shotgun. Then again, my birds shooting is sucking pretty bad this year too. I'm in some kind of funk, that's for sure. At least the dogs are on fire.
ReplyDeleteYes, leaving the dogs at home when they see a gun being carried out of the house is the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteWell that makes two of us. But I'm an angler. Why does the fall fishing have to be so damn good?!?
ReplyDeleteMy best chance at an elk this fall came as I was wadering up in the parking area between the lakes on the Madison River last week, seriously. A .30-.06 was in my truck, but by the time I got my act together the lone cow had crossed the river into a bull only area.
I am trying to get a last minute moose here. I spent a great deal of time with my 3 setters. i would much rather bird hunt but I love the meat that i get from moose or caribou
ReplyDeleteDan
Jay...I'd like to hear more about your book!
ReplyDeleteHi Shawn,
ReplyDeleteThe book is just meat-and-potatoes bird hunting. I didn't use a thesaurus, so there aren't any three syllable words. It is a combination of my actual hunting journals and narratives on various upland topics.
And I provide detailed maps to my best Hun spots.......not really.
Thanks for your interest.
jay