2 Birds with 1 Stone

I took Cooper out for a run after work at a local State Game Lands.  The birds were really scattered and the hot weather made the conditions extremely tough.  We did more exploring than anything, but on the way out, Cooper got birdy and moments later put up a rooster that quickly fell to the 12 gauge  for an easy retrieve. 

Cooper continued to work the area and got hot again.  I wasn't sure if he was on the same bird, so I gave him some leeway.  After a couple minutes, I realized he was hot on a trail and out of my range.  I whistled for him to come back and hit him on the collar when he didn't come right back.  I was pretty mad at him and when I climbed to the top of the hill to meet him, he was running towards me about 60 yards away with a pheasant in his mouth that he caught.  Two birds with one shot.  Not bad.

Pheasant Opener!

 

 

 

Cooper locked up on point on a perfect Pennsylvania fall day

 

Cooper and I snuck out of baby duty for a little morning hunt.  We started on the water in the morning hoping to get into some wood ducks, but we didn't end up seeing one duck!  This little honey hole was always a producer, so we were a little disappointed. 

 

We then went over to the club property to do a little pheasant hunting.  It was the first day, so we waited until most of the guys were wrapped up before getting out there to avoid the other hunters.  We ran Roxie (German Shorthair Pointer) first, but we didn't get any birds in the usual spots.  We took Cooper out second and he did an awesome job.  He got hot on a rooster in the cut corn and then locked up on point.  He stayed on point for over a minute, in time for us to get set up for the shot and take a picture!  He was rock steady and the best part of a pointing lab is releasing him for the flush.  This is what separates him from the pointers.  Its so great to watch!  Cooper followed up the performance with a fine retrieve.  What a sight. 

 

We worked a treeline next and Cooper locked up on another bird and then put it up to wrap up our first morning with two birds on two shots.  Great way to start the season.

 

Early Duck Season

Cooper and I scouted out a little puddle that held some wood ducks in the evening.  We got up early and set up before first light.  The wood ducks flew in in predictable fashion and we let the first few land before finally getting two to drop in near us and we got one duck.  It was a one and done setup and the hunt was over after the shooting.  The duck I hit proved to be quite elusive and Cooper had to do quite the track job to make the retrieve. But he's one heck of a tracker and quickly found the duck.

Twins!

Spencer and I have been expecting twins, so my time has been spent getting the house and nursery ready for the past few months instead of trying to catch every fish in the tri-state area.  Well after all the waiting, the twins were finally delivered on 10-11-12.  John Robert 'Jack' and Clara Spencer were born at 5#8oz and 5#2oz. Both babies and Momma are doing great.  I can't wait to go camping, flyfishing, hunting, biking, boarding, etc, etc with our two new little babies one day!