Star

For those following this blog, Star passed away on Dec 30th 2012, my heart is broken and there is a hole that can't be filled. A new puppy will write on here but it will be a while before she is old enough to write, or read for that matter. To those that love dogs, a dog is more then just a dog, they are a part of us and no matter what, will always be a part of us and part of me is missing...........

The last day of bird season

I wasn't sure if dad was going to take me hunting to day or not. The wind has been blowing hard I wasn't sure if today would be any different. When dad came down stairs this morning he was wearing his tan pants, maybe we were going, he then put on his tall boots, oh ya, we were going someplace, I saw him pick up that damn e-collar, we were going. I got all excited and could hardly think. Dad was talking to someone on the phone, and I found out the our neighbor Lull, was going with us. I knew that I had to be on my best behaver or dad would be unhappy with me. We loaded up in Lull's truck and headed out. It wasn't long before we turned off the road and into the feed lot that belongs to the Cross-O ranch, dad got out and unlocked the gate. After about 3 miles we stopped, dad and lull got out, dad made me stay, he then turned in that collar and put it around my neck. everything was ready and dad told me to find the birds. I had noticed that there was a truck parked close to where we wanted to hunt, so lull drove up a little way further. The sun was out and very little wind. we headed south and up a ridge, I worked back and forth in front of dad and lull, I kept widening my search, A couple of times I smelled bird scent but nothing fresh. It was great to be out and I covered the ground, I just love doing this. We hunted for a time and heard gun shots to the north of us, after looking we saw three guys walking toward us and they headed to the field that we were going to hunt. They had three dogs with them and we saw a guy coming up behind us, he had 2 dogs, great, they had been hunting where we wanted to go . By this time the wind was picking up and it was cold, about 23 deg. We drove down to where the guys were parked and they had 4 chukar, we were hunting to low, the birds were above us. Dad and lull decided to call it quits, it was just to cold and by now the wind was howling. We drove down to the road and headed in the wrong direction, I ask dad where we were going and he said to get some lunch in town. Of course they would not let me in, boy that is just wrong, soooo I stayed in the truck hoping that someone would get me something, they did, I love french fries.

01-15-11

Hunting the Cross O ranch

Dad loaded me up in the truck, I wasn't sure just where we were going, but I knew it was hunting. We drove north about 5 miles and turned off the main road and on to a feed lot. We then came to a gate, I wanted out right there but dad wouldn't let me. He did something with a chain that was around the post and the gate opened up. We drove through and dad closed the gate and did something with the front end, turned the hubs I think. The road was very bumpy and we were driving very slow, I looked out the window and went back down on the seat, it was a long way to the bottom and I didn't want to watch. After a while he pulled in to a spot and got out, I tried to get past him but he said" stay" after about three times and a swat, I figured out that I was to stay in the truck until he said it was OK, he sure gets bossy at times. Dad reached on the dash and got my collar, sometimes it bites me if I am not paying attention, I don't like it. After a short time, seemed like a week to me, dad said OK and let me out. Boy it felt good to run. I headed to a draw that was full of brush, I was sure there would be birds in there, there had been but they left quite a while ago. I headed up the hill to the north, looked like good chukar country, running hard, I covered a lot of ground. I stretched out and had the wind in my face and climbed even higher ,I sure love this. Dad had walked up the hill and was in front of me, I don't like it when he does that and ran to get ahead of him. We hunted for about 2 hours, I could tell there had been bird in the area but they were not here right now. Dad was across the valley from me when it hit me, the sweet smell of birds, I came in upwind and located them next to a large rock, where was dad, he had the gun. I looked across the valley and here he came, sure wasn't moving very fast. The birds were getting nervous and starting to run, I have been taught to stay right here and I did so, dad walked in to where the birds had been but they were gone. Dad released me from my point and I took off up the hill, when I got there the scent just stopped, we were so close but dad is so slow, next time.....

Dec 17, 2010

Dad told me we were going hunting again, this was great news to me, I was more then ready. My brothers weren't to happy as they were going to be left home again. We were looking for grouse and then huns, what ever they are, but I was ready to go. We drove up the road across from the house and up to a locked gate, dad has permission to hunt here so he parked the truck, gathered up his gear and we headed out . The first part is in heavy timber, so I started looking for grouse, I covered both sides of the road and down into the timber. Soon I was out in the open, the wind was blowing from the south and I had the whole area to check. I started casting back and forth in front of dad, a couple of time I stopped , thinking I had scented the birds. I worked the flat out and started to work out the steep slope to the west. I could tell dad was having a hard time, the ground was frozen and frost covered the trails, but he was trying to keep up with me. I got to hunting and soon I was out of sight of dad

I could hear him whistle for me but I was running free, I felt bad about doing it but I just kept on going.

Soon I looked around and couldn't see him or hear him, I sure hope he isn't lost. I ran back up the steep slope to where I last saw him, picked up his scent and found him over the top of the ridge sitting on a rock, he was just trying to scare me. Maybe I need to stay a little closer, you know he is getting old. We walked back toward the truck, dad had me at heal, I think he was upset at getting lost... Again no birds were found but I sure enjoyed the outing, so did dad.

First time out

Dad was loading the truck and I noticed that he had his shot gun and hunting vest, this was getting exciting. It would be the first time we have been hunting this year. Dad loaded me into the front of the truck and we headed north through the town of Riggins and out to Cow Creek. I have hunted here before so I knew what to expect. Dad parked the truck and we headed down in to the canyon, dad was a little slow getting down so I waited for him at the creek. The first thing I saw were these tracks, when dad got down there he was none to happy to see them, he said every time he finds turkey tracks he doesn't see any grouse. I hunted hard and looked every where, we walked up the creek to the head but didn't see any birds. I thought that I caught the scent of grouse a couple of time but they were long gone. It sure was good to be out. We hunted for about 2 hours then dad said his hip was starting to bother him so we headed out of the canyon and back up to the truck. we still had a great time, and I was happy.

Still not hunting

We still haven't been able to hunt this year, dad had his left hip replaced and is unable to walk very far, I am getting restless and want to go. Dad promised that as soon as he can, we will go. I wanted to go by my self but he won't let me, something about not having a drivers license. There have been a lot of quail in the yard so I have been spending my time looking for them. As soon as we go I will post on here.

Dad and I headed north down the Big Salmon River to box canyon, there he pulled off to the side of the road and we got out. He made me sit by the truck while he got all his gear on, boy it sure takes him a long time to get ready, I just brought my collar and am ready to go. We crossed a fence and started up an old road, I am getting excited, I can smell birds here, only they are very faint, if they are here I will find them.

We didn't find the birds but sure had a great day, next time they will be here and so will we.

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