Sept 11 2009

Dad is getting ready to go hunting, he has his gun and vest out, boy that vest sure smells good. The boys seem to be disappointed, they are not happy campers, I don't think that they are going. I feel so bad for them, ( not). As we went out the door, choc started calling me names and they were not very nice, he sure is mad about not going. Dad loaded his stuff in the truck and I am waiting around back to get in, he called me to get inside the cab, wow, this is great, I can see where we are going and sit next to dad. We headed up the same road as the other day, this time I can see everything. At the top we turned right instead of left and parked the truck, there is a locked gate so this is as far as we can drive. Dad made me stay in the truck while he got his gun out and put his vest on, I got to go pee, hurry up dad. Whew, made it, OK off to the hunt. Dad is staying down on the road and I am working the open hill above him, I could tell that there had been birds here but just can't find them. After about a mile we came to a fork in the road and we took the road that went up the hill and into the trees, it's a lot cooler in here, I am about 40 yds in front of dad and noticed that he sat down, wonder what he is doing, better go check. Dad gave me a drink, took one for himself, and we started out again. I need to kept track of him as I don't want him to wander off and get lost, I think I will check back with him every so often. We started down a steep hill and dad is having problems getting down, I smell a bird, where is that coming from, OK I have it, up here a little ways further, slow down, there it is, it sees me and is holding , afraid to move and thinks its invisible, it may be to some but not to me. Ok dad anytime now, I can't hold this forever, where is he at, oh crap, what is he doing over there, dad I am over here, no, you are going the wrong way, I think the bird is getting a little nervous, its moving , there it goes, right toward dad, he sees it but didn't shoot, now he sees me, great, but a little late, I need to put a beeper on him. We walk back to the truck and I walk by dads side. I sure am liking this grouse hunting, hope we do more.

Sept 1 2009

This will be the first time I have hunted with my new dad. Dad loaded me and the boys into his truck and drove out the driveway. I am not sure where we are going but I know its hunting because dad has his shotgun. We got to the top of the mountain and dad let us out, this was different then anything I have ever done. We are in tall trees and I don't see any open fields, the smells are different also, its all very exciting. Dad put a collar on me and a bell, I guess he doesn't want me to get lost. Sonny is very old and stayed with dad, choc wanted to race to the top but dad called us back. Dad talked to us, I am not sure what he said, but choc and sonny seemed to understand, one day I will understand also. We started up this old road, I was way ahead of the boys and it felt good to be running free, as I came to a spot I smelled something but wasn't sure what it was, I hit the brakes and spun around, there was a bird just off to my right, I have never seen a bird like this, but it smelled good, I think this is what dad is looking for, but I am to close and scared the bird, it flew over my head and into the woods. Dad seemed to be pleased and disappointed at the same time, not sure what I did wrong. We keep going and I smelled where other birds had been, choc and sonny would get excited at the scent also, so I am sure this is what we are looking for. After about an hour, I got thirsty and went to dad to get a drink, he said he was sorry but he didn't bring any water, boy my mouth sure is getting dry. We turned at the top and dropped down into a draw, all the bird scent was old and we didn't spend much time getting down to the bottom. Once we got there dad showed us this steel box, it was full of water, the boys and I jumped in to cool off and get a drink. After a few minuets we started up a road that I have never been on. Wow, open ground, time to move out and show the boys what a girl can do. If you look at the picture on the top left, the little center dot is me, this is more like what I was trained to do. I hope I find some birds down here so dad will half to come down here, I bet he is hoping I don't. I could smell where the huns have been but they have moved out, I can hear dad calling me, better go see what he wants, he can be a real pain sometime, but I think for the most part that he is a nice guy. When I got up there dad wanted to walk down a tree covered lane, the boys were already out front, but I made sure I passed them and got in front, choc came with me, sonny stayed behind. The bird scent was very faint here, I don't think we will find any. Soon I came to a bend in the road and there was dads truck, sure glad he knew where it was. Dad gave us water, I layed down to drink, I was tired, the boys waited until I was done before drinking , they are such gentelman. After being brushed and all the sticky things removed, we shaired dads lunch, I think I am going to like living with them.......

A little about me

My name is Star, and I live with my human mom dad and my two brothers, both are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and my little sister Lola, shes a cat, but we don't hold that against her. I spent my first 6 years as a field trial dog, but I wasn't very good at that ( one third place ribbon) so my owner put me up for adoption. My new owners took me in and made me one of their own. My birth parents are Ironfire's Hercules and Ironfire's happy heart. I love to run and will hunt all day if you let me. Here I am free to come and go as I please and have the run of the neighborhood, every one likes me and I am welcome in most of their houses. I have a river to play in and spend a lot of my time on the banks or in the water. I don't know where he gets them but dad brings home bob white quail and puts them in the tall grass and makes me go find them, thats a lot of fun. My first owner didn't like to hunt me in the mountains so grouse hunting is new to me but I like quail, and huns and pheasants, I know what they are and how they smell. as time goes on I will add to this. Its hard to do as my feet are to big to hit the keys but I will try very hard to only use my right foot and toe. Star