This October, my wife Kristin’s grandpa, James Milton Nelson, turned 100 years old. Man, that is a long time to live here on God’s green earth! Since I married Kris, I have developed a great love and respect for this hardworking, good-hearted man. Even at his age, he is still bright-eyed and alert with a memory like an elephant.
J. Milton Nelson: The man had swag even in his youth.
I have since learned that Grandpa was also a Southern bird hunter (which means quail in the south) with a raw-boned English Pointer named Dan and a Llewellyn Setter named, Cola (pronouced Kolee). I have spent many afternoons listening to Grandpa relate stories of helping Dan to get over his hard mouth (which he learned from retrieving a vicious wounded squirrel), of breaking his setter of being gunshy by rowing him out in a boat and firing away, of five covey days, or of hiding in the cut kaffir corn shocks to pass shoot Oklahoma prairie chickens as they came to feed, some so close he could almost reach out and grab them. 
One of my favorite of Grandpa’s stories is of the time he and a few others hunted an abandoned homestead on the Oklahoma Kansas line. The dogs soon went on point in a plum thicket, instead of flushing bobwhites as Grandpa expected, gigantic guinea fowl erupted and Grandpa and his companions had a field day chasing and shooting this foreign African gamebird. I have often wished that I could go back in time and spend just one day afield with Grandpa, Dan and Cola hunting bobwhite quail in the sprawling soybean fields of the South, or that he could come with me and my dogs to hunt sharptails. What fun we could have!
African Guinea Fowl: Grandpa’s unexpected, but welcomed gamebird.In preparation for his centential celebration, my wife prepared a biography of her Grandpa’s prosperous and eventful life. I felt that it was important to record Grandpa Nelsons’ sporting adventures because this is such an important part of his life and mine. Since I had already heard most of his stories, I conducted the interview and Kristin took notes.
Upland Ways 
Andy, I have read all of your posts and enjoyed them but this one is the best! I loved reading about your wife’s grandfather. We owe so much of what/who we are to those who have gone before us. I marvel at the way they embraced life and loved it, even when it was less than ideal. The men and women of that era were strong, in every sense of the word, and that kind of strength brings a type of self-reliance and joy for living that is rare today, IMO. What a great heritage to pass on to your children! Congrats on expecting the new addition next spring…that little baby is lucky to be coming into such a good family!Kim
Andy:This brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful tribute to an obviously great man! You and Kris are so blessed to have him.We can learn so much from out elders. He certainly lives life “one day at a time.”I wish we had tens of thousands more like him. The age we live in needs their wisdom.Kindest regards,Walter
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A WONDERFUL READ!Kim…where are those puppies! I can't wait any more!>8o)Shawn
Andy…Loved the post. And congrats on another son. Are you doing any hunting this saturday?Eric
Kim, Walter, Shawn, and Eric, Thank you all for your kind comments. I’m so glad that it was received in the spirit it was written! Grandpa Nelson truly is an awesome man. Eric, I plan to chase some blue grouse this saturday morning not too far from home. How about yourself? Andy
Thanks for sharing Andy that was really cool. Those are some stories I have not heard! Heather
Andy, I really enjoyed reading that tribute to Kristens G-pa. I have been checking your blog to read some more stuff. I was glad to see a new one