A wise man once stated that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. After hunting the Windy Mills covert on Wednesday, we decided to drive over to Grouse Rock in search of Ron and Andy’s favorite game bird—the ruffed grouse. (I know…they’re both nuts…what more can I…
Category: Setter Quail Dogs
Pilgrims & a Great Adventure
(In)Famous Gary Thompson from snowbound Wyoming and myself (& our 6 canine-cohorts) just returned from an adventurous pilgrimage on the Kansas and Colorado prairies. We met up in Colorado last week and headed over to the Kansas grasslands to hunt wild birds before the predicted ice storms wreaked havoc on us. We found some…
Birds and Dogs and Good Country
What a bird season we experienced here in Colorado and surrounding states…been a long time coming with 10 years of thirst throughout our bird country. The final weekend in Kansas was surreal. A quick recap of last weekend…it was kicked off with a speeding ticket in the thriving metropolis of Springfield, Colorado for going…
Scaled Quail Photo Essay
Anyone that follows the Upland Ways knows of my affection for chasing scaled quail on the prairies specially in my home state of Colorado. The birds are here and with a little bit of effort, research and good bird dogs the birds can be found in decent numbers…at least enough to keep a couple guys…
Tradition
Cool country, wonderful birds, tough dogs, soulful men… These are the enlightened words of a fellow pointing dog (foremost), scaled quail, & Spanish smooth-bore aficionado who I spent the day with this past Saturday. Sinewy Dave Kruger, MD and his leathery brother Kraig (both sadly plagued with Chukar-Hunter’s Disease) met up with me at 0’dark-30….
Borrowed Dogs
I’ve been known to borrow some dogs. The first offense was in October 2011. Gary Thompson was steelhead’n on the Grande Ronde River in eastern Washington and the plan was to meet up with Andy and I in western Idaho for a few glorious days of bird hunting on his way back to Colorado. I…
Samples
Bird dogs are in my blood. The Colorado prairie, though, has gotten under my skin. The loneliness and endless sea of sand-sage, yucca, saltbush, prickly-pear, and cholla…called home to very few…mangy coyotes, desert tortoises, and horned-larks but also my beloved quail. The incessant wind calms in the eve as the shadows grow longer and the…
Over the Rivers and Out on the Prairies: A Pictorial Saga
As I sit here contemplating the holidays and the gunning season upon us, I can’t help but be thankful for the family and friends I have. I spent last weekend with Gary Thompson from Silk Lines & Paper Hulls blog near the Big Horns pursuing sharp-tailed grouse and huns in phenomenal country. Gary recently added…
The Start of the Crazies
Perfect Colorado weather for a last jaunt across the short grass prairie in search of scaled quail. Bitter-sweetness…the company was grand and the dogs grander! Plans are drawn and dog purchases are being made for the coming fall! I can hardly wait! Idaho for 2 weeks for certain! Pray for the perfect weather conditions and…
Season’s End
The season is winding down…tomorrow is the last day for me and the bird dogs to go out and chase birds. Birds of course being quail. We have had a great season and have piles of memories to hold us over the next seven months til it’s time to be back in the grouse woods….
Rookie Mistakes
Glenn and I went to Kansas last weekend to see first hand the hype of how bad the quail season really is in central Kansas…the heart of gentleman country. While loading my dog box into the bed of Glenn’s nice Ford pickup, I left my tattered ol’ Sharp-tail boots at the side of the Tacoma…rookie…
Upland Ways 