October 15, 2010:

I was able to track down a barrel to start some of the training techniques that jetjockey and others have described. Here is a shot of Chukar being introduced to his new buddy:



He wasn't too impressed initially, that might be at least partly attributable to the fact that the barrel was used for vinegar...I think I need to rinse it out...maybe.

I moved it from the middle of the yard to up against the deck and I wedged a piece of wood on the other side to make the barrel as stable as possible. I then called Chukar over, picked him up and plopped him on top of the barrel, boy was he not digging this. I tried my best to encourage him and pose him the best I could before I released him. We did this again and he did a bit better, but he was still nervous around the barrel. I got the introduction done, that was my goal. I will get some shots of us with the barrel as we progress.

October 9th:

We were back at the shooting preserve (Squaw Canyon Shooters in Rosalia BTW) and we had to get out of town by noon or so. We woke after sleeping like loggers and decided to head out early to see if there were any roosters ranging the property. We took of and hunted for about 45 minutes. When we got back I decided we would wrangle up some chukar and plant them in the hunting area, one last chance for Chukar to get around birds and for me to get some shooting in.

I planted 6 chukar and headed back to the house to grab Chukar and load up my other gear. We arrived at where I wanted to start the hunt and I released Chukar, knowing that there were planted birds within 100 yards of our starting point. Off we went, working with the wind (which wasn't smart on my part) that was blowing 20+, this made it tough on us, Chukar to get wind and for me shooting

We got close to a thick brush patch that I knew held a dizzied chukar and I directed Chukar to the area, it seemed that the wind really was affecting Chukar's ability to scent birds...Anyways, he eventually located the bird, flash pointed and proceeded to try and catch the bird. The bird flushed and caught the wind...LATER! I shot at the bird twice (yeah, I know I shouldn't shoot at a bird flushed by Chukar, but I couldn't resist) and I missed both. Not a great experience, but better then sitting at home.

We kept on towards the next plant spot that I had dropped two birds in. This spot was two large trees that were THICK...Chukar caught scent of a bird, I was on one side, he was on the other. The bird flushed and I could not see what exactly happened, all well. Off to the next spot.

On the way over, Chukar flushed a hen pheasant that was HOT! Chukar pursued for about a 150 yards before he realized that he wasn't going to catch the bird.

A couple more plants were out there and we continued on, the next planted bird we came across, Chukar actually was able to mouth the bid before it flew...Great, I had to give him a nudge with my boot to get him to release it and allow the bird to fly. I let that bird fly back to Pullman. We worked towards the spot that I knew the first bird we worked had landed. Again, I knew exactly where the bird was, but Chukar was having a tough time with the wind. We stayed at it and Chukar was able to located it and point it! He held point for a few seconds and moved in for a bite...before he could do that, the bird flushed, I shot and dropped the chukar with my follow up at 20 yards. We went over to the bird, Chukar laid down and played with the bird a bit and I picked it up...We need to work on that retriever stuff!

So the plant hunt didn't go so well, but I was able to get some shooting in and Chukar was exposed ti hunting in the stiff wind, which was good. That ended the weekend, quail is next weekend!

October 8th:

Off we went to a large piece of public land in central Washington. The goal was to find some quail and get Chukar more exposure to wild birds. We arrived in the parking lot, I loaded up my gear and released Chukar.

We were hunting a creek bottom, which looked promising by the way, as well as some shrub/steppe land a bit higher on the trail.

We worked the creek bottom for a mile or two and did not encounter a single "game" bird. This was discouraging, but the weather was amazing and the scenery wasn't bad either. Chukar was covering a ton of ground and having a blast, not much more I could ask for.

Here is a short video of Chukar working the grass along the creek:

Chukar bouncing for birds

We continued along the creek and came to some very brushy areas that looked very birdy...I call Chukar back into range and he starts getting birdy, he's onto something. I was rejuvenated then, I quickly got in position as I knew there was something in there. Chukar pointed and held, what beautiful sight. As I approached to try and flush whatever was in there, I heard a loud, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...As it turns out, Chukar had pointed a large red-tail hawk. Even though it wasn't a huge covey of quail, I was stoked as Chukar had held his point!

Here is a shot of Chukar working the deep grass:



We continued up the trail, which gained some elevation and turned away from the creek. In all honesty, the ground we were moving into didn't look too birdy, but it was good because it was so open. It gave Chukar and I a chance to work a large area and see how we reacted to each other...As soon as I was about to write off this spot, I see a large hen pheasant flush out in front of us. As it turns out, Chukar had winded this bird, but the bird ran until I got close enough to it that it decided to flush...cool I thought.

Here is Chukar in his most stoic pose:



We kept working the area as we headed back down the trail...Chukar was going nuts in some three-feet tall grass, he looked birdy to me. I caught up to him and all of a sudden, three hens flushed up the hillside, about 50 yards away from us. I think Chukar picked up the scent of the birds, but they were too wily for my pup and ran before flushing way out of range.

By this time, I had hiked about 6 miles, 4 in and two back and we were both getting hot and tired. I could see it Chukar's demeanor, I had underestimated our water needs which contributed to the stress. We hightailed it to the creek so Chukar could take a dip...Well, I lost track of Chukar. I called and called and he didn't respond. We were out of touch for about 10 to 15 minutes. I just happened to look back and Chukar had doubled back, I assume following my scent, back up the hill. Luckily he is so white, he stuck out like a sore thumb. He was at least a quarter mile away on high ground, I gave out a loud Chukar call and he stopped dead in his tracks, turned around and started back my way...Few, that wasn't fun...Time for an e-collar

We reunited and made a bee-line to the creek:



The hike back was fairly uneventful until I stopped to take a picture and almost stepped on a rattler! I turned and there he was, buzzing away staring at me...I was going to leave him be, but he was close to the main trail and Chukar was showing too much interest, I shot it a few times and made Chukar realize that these things aren't to be messed with.

Overall, it was a fun hunt and I learned a ton about the area and Chukar. I have said it before, but WHOA is a must and an e-collar is in our very near future...I am in the process of tracking down a barrel to assist is whoa training, as I type.

October 7th, 2010:
We made it over to my friend's farm on the Palouse mid-afternoon...Just enough time for a hunt. We jumped in the Mule and headed out. The first place we stepped out, within 100 yards, Chukar had scented and flushed two hen roosters, this got him in the game fast! We hiked for another mile or two and only had some tweetie birds here and there.

We made it back to the house and we could see some roosters out in the field about 200 yards out. We loaded up and off we went, this would be Chukar's first "gimme" hunt, we were excited to see how he would react.

We made it to within 40 yards of where we last spotted the birds and released Chukar, within seconds he had their wind. He was slinking along and all of a sudden he locked up, it was quite the sight! We approached cautiously, we made it to within 5 yards of Chukar who was still holding by the way and the bird flushed. BAM BAM, I hit the rooster with the follow up at about 35 yards, he landed in a creek. What a moment! I went down the water, called Chukar over and he jumped in and mouthed the bird, swam with it a bit and left it near the bank, I was able to reach down, fall in the water and grab the bird, success. By the way, remember that we were hunting a shooting preserve.

In the few hours we hunted, it was quite obvious that we need to work around and in birds more often, his instinct seemed to come out more and more and his exposure increased throughout the afternoon. We are going to head out again today and see if we can get into some quail.

We came, We climbed, We conquered!

Saturday morning...Kaylin and I took Bellevue by storm when we did the "Climb for Air Bellevue"....800 stairs, 45 floors and we ROCKED it!

The before...
and the AFTER!
We kicked butt! Thanks to everyone who donated to the American Lung Association and our team!!!

2nd Annual Meyer Pumpkin Carving....

The 2nd Annual Meyer Pumpkin Carving took place on Friday night...and we had a record 23 people...and about 12 carvers...way to go team!

We started off the night with a visit from Rene and Avea...and even got them to pose with us....8 eyes, 4 smiles!
Next up...the kids, us and the dogs...14 eyes, 4 smiles and 3 tongues!
Let the fun begin...Amanda made Butternut Squash..and YES, she is Martha Stewart!
There were Brats, Cheesy Potatoes and lots of OKTOBERFEST style beer....flowing all night!
Mike and Leslie (the newly engaged) getting ready to carve!
Next up, Jen and Mark (the recently married) already digging in!
Amanda, Adam and Heather checking out how "cheesy" the dog really is...
Posing with some snacks!
Jen and Justin trying out the butternut squash (and boy, was it delicious)!
Leslie and Jen...hanging in the hallway, most likely talking business! :)
Heather getting that PUMPKIN....
Ryan (in the background) watching his bride, Kelby smile and carve with Shauna...
Still carving...now on the floor and Chris is just hanging out!
Hello from the couch...Amanda, Adam and Rich!
Even Chukar joined in on the fun!
We are CARVING...and Ryan is "practicing" his scary Halloween faces!
Yeah, Kelby and I....or Joan and sister long face!
Heather and I chowing down in the kitchen...shocking, I know!
More carving!
Hanging in the kitchen...Lindsey and Rhett, Jen, Justin and Leslie!
Some of the final projects...and yes, Lionel Ritchie is out there!
My boo and I!
Hanging with the "inspired" pumpkins!
SO MUCH FREAKIN' FUN! It just keeps evolving and getting better! I love the burbs and our great friends! Thanks for making it another AWESOME time!

Chukar's Surprise Party!

Chukar was SO surprised tonight when Maggie and Buster threw him a surprise 1st BIRTHDAY party....they ran, they ate, they dug, they played and most of all, they all had a blast!

While the adults had dinner...the little kids stayed kenneled up (together)!
Time to Celebrate...birthday hats on and we are ready to PARTY!
Me and Chukar plus Mom, Maggie and Buster!
Chukar attacking Maggie's hat...but not caring about his own!
Time to make a wish buddy....BIRDS and a Sister (is what he told me his was wishing for)!
Time for your cake...yes, sheep lung and peanut butter...so yummy!
The twins coming in to see if they can steal some of the birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Buddy....live! Sorry for the tone-deaf singers!



Tomorrow, October 18th...our little buddy turns 1! The year has flown by and he has made it so fun for Rich and I...can't wait to see what year 2 has in store for us!

It's Game Day Kids!

Yesterday was game day...and with the new changes to parking at tailgating at the UW...we set off EARLY to secure a spot and get ready for a day of fun!

It was the Dawgs against the Beavers...you decide who is stronger?!?
Heather, Amanda and I were the EARLY crew with Rich and Adam in tow! We have never had SO much time to tailgate, hang out, relax and just enjoy the beautiful SEATTLE fall day!

It was AWESOME!
Within the 1st hour of being there...my chair had to be retired! I swear, I didn't think I was a biggin, but maybe I am.
Next up...Mrs. Harrison arrived (with the wonderful Baby Chase and Rich #2)! We were READY to get the party started!
My little Cougar and his Husky wife....such a picture of Washington!
Yeah...more girls and more fun!
Suz, Me, Courtney, Erin, Amanda and Heather....
In the words of Frenchi from Grease "Look guys, the whole gang is back together again"....
Baby Chase...so cute!
(And, sleeping through all that was and IS Husky-tailgating)!
Off to practice our half-time performance....Don't stop believing....
Amanda, Me, Suzi and Heather
This was "our" leader...so cute!
Back to the tailgate and for some more fun....
Alisa, Annie, Erin and Me!

Welcome HOME Alisa...back from Cali with Matt (for good, we hope)!
It's half-time and yes, we are out there....
Part of the last "kick-line"...you can see my boots if you zoom in!
Oh no....great game...but OT?!?! What are the Huskies to do?
Cheering with my honey...he loves a good game (even if it is the Huskies)....
GIVEN...the DAWGS are VICTORIOUS!
Great day! Great friends! Great game! Great fun!
Chukar even spent the day at Doggie DayCare and had an AWESOME time...our little boy with be 1 tomorrow...time sure flies!