packed up

[16. ga hunter]

everything is packed up dog fed gun wiped down heading to Allegheny in the am to chase some grouse one last time... dog is restless but hopefully will put-em up tomorrow good luck to any others heading out.

[Pygmy]

Good luck...Travel light and shoot FAST...<<grin>>...

[TPhunter]

Good luck and have a great time!

[16. ga hunter]

pygmy travel light is an understatement even though my American cocker is small in stature she is willing to go all day. whistle compass a sandwich or 2 water in hydro pack. as for gun a very light 28 GA. double

[Pygmy]

I remember back when I could go all day in the uplands, but that was back when Moby Dick was a minnow..

I had a 28 gauge double back then to, but eventually replaced it with a 20 gauge double that was just as light and handy and much cheaper to shoot.

I still have a soft spot in my heart for the 28, though..It was my first double gun, and I killed a lot of game with it, up to and including ringnecks..I'd like to have a buck for every CROW I killed with that little gun, using #9 skeet loads , along with squirrels, rabbits, grouse, woodcock and pheasants.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Pygmy

[16. ga hunter]

had a good outing with my father and dog. took a rabbit and a grouse a piece. snow was a bit deeper than i would have liked but witnessed my cockers most exciting flushes yet as she dug one out it exploded in a burst of snow and fell to one shot of my 28. will have to remember as i tried to stop her from digging. yes the 28 can be expensive to shoot but i guess that's just how i am as i also shoot 16. only on pheasant even though i own a 12. i like going just outside the box and to nostalgia i guess and really enjoy the shock younger guys get when my cocker flushes or the old timers telling me they thought that cockers quit hunting years ago.

[Pygmy]

Cockers quit hunting ? Perhaps the majority of them, that were bred for show and became nasty, snippy little dogs..

Fortunately, however, a few wise souls continue to breed cockers for field and good temerament.. I hunted over a couple of different cockers 50 years ago, and they were excellent all around upland dogs..

I ran springers for years...Love them...

I like the 16 gauge also..I have had several, but currently own just one, a Model 12 Winchester.

Ammo has never been a problem..I look for the Remington or Winchester promotional loads, like the one ounce "game loads".

They often are on sale at Dick's or Gander for 6 or 7 bucks a box.When I find them I buy several boxes. I find the 1 oz. load of #6 or 7 1/2 shot perfect for upland game in the 16 gauge..

Glad to hear that you and your Dad and your pup had a good weekend.

[ants]

Good luck....I haven't upland hunted in years but have been meaning to get back into it. I use to love it. The funnest way to exercise I can think of.

[ants]

Im feeling sorry for my bird guns. They haven't been out of the house in years........

[16. ga hunter]

that's a common misconception that i find show dogs were the demise of the cocker.personally i find it to be more the pet trade. some of the first cockers to become master hunters in the recently developed spaniel hunt tests were from pure show stock.

i believe an overall good breading is the most important basis for the dog to work well. and yes fortunately some were intelligent enough to foresee this. even here in western NY there are at least 4 breeders with dogs displaying good field traits. i think another barrier our american cocker is facing is the trendiness of their English cousins.

as far as shells i have been getting them for 5.00 a box for estates and 6 to 7 for Remington's/federals if and when i feel i want to splurge on some express long range they can be had for about 14 one of my local gun dealers sole ammo sales motto is to undersell the wally just across the way.i do believe it works out quite well for him.

ants if you really want to get back into it maybe we could meet up and possibly spend some time on tug next fall....

Edited February 28, 2013 by 16. ga hunter