Some parts of So. Cal. got a pretty good soaking the day before last. So the birds are usually scattered pretty good. And they were. Which I actually prefer, makes for more spontaneous shooting on singles and doubles instead of covey chasing. Both are good fun though.

Spot 1 was pretty neat. Interesting formations a spell down the road from our spot. My partner nabbed a brush bunny then we beat feet over to Spot 2.

Spot 2 was COLD. Stiff breeze coming off the mountain and the temp was way down. Birds were scattered to the wind but they were answering my calls. One here, one over there, all tucked away nice and snug is some giant, thick cover. This cover was sporadic, 6-10’ tall tufts of it in hedgerows here, clumps there, they were ticked in and not coming out. I’m playing like “there’s food over here, come eat with me!” They answered “with so are we and we are out of the wind!” Swell.

So we go in and try and push them out into the more open stuff. And, it turned into a Chinese fire drill running in circles, getting glimpses of birds ducking in and out of stuff, flying 20’ then hitting the ground and hooking a left or a right, it was exhausting and there were very few openings for a ground shot or running in. My partner got a couple on the ground- one took a while to find, stuffed himself under a bush’s root ball WAY in there- only a smidge of his tail was poking out. He’s 6’3” and he could barely get in far enough to get his hand in this hole to get the bird out. Good thing it’s not rattler season anymore, we’d have passed on the hand action in that stuff.

We pushed a couple out into the pan and chased them a while during which the others recovered and were still calling so there’s a lot going on, mostly I’m calling and driving game into my partners gun because nothing’s coming up for me- had a few back-flusher’s and I got a bead on a couple but, they were well and truly over the super thick stuff and I’d have never found them so I didn’t shoot. The Benelli was sadly silent.
After about 45 minutes of this action we called it off and headed for some other spots to toss out some calls. We got some calls back, chased some Jacks and ended the day with 2 birds, two bunnies, all his.

Upland season’s over next week and it’s been ton’s of fun so far. Bag’s been empty past two rounds but that’s OK, still having a lot of fun chasing and talking it up with my little feathered buddies. I love the thrill of getting calls back, changing it up bay calling into my glove or jacket trying to get them to come to me. Had one so worked up he was really going off while we stood there watching him from 10 feet away, then he saw us and ran! Funny stuff.

Final round next week.

Some pics....
1- on the way to Spot 1
2- from Spot 3...Mt. Baldy and the 3 T's.
3- 6 hunts on these boots and they are holding up well.

Sorry no shots of Spot 2....we were hunting!

On Pic #1 That looks like some heavy shot you're using there!

inthedark wrote:

On Pic #1 That looks like some heavy shot you're using there!

Nice pics Stovey.

Hill was in the way...sooo...tried to move it. 20g 3 oz. 9" mag "T" shot....bring it!

Ominivision1 wrote:

Nice pics Stovey.

Thanks Omni. Baldy is over 10k feet if I remeber right. Man the wind coming off that thing was BRISK in the AM. Brrrrrrr!

looks like a good spot for roosting then roasting pidgeons.
glad you are getting out there still.

Elvis wrote:

looks like a good spot for roosting then roasting pidgeons. glad you are getting out there still.

Speaking of....Spot 3. Pulled up. Got out. I loaded the Benelli. a LARGE pigeon floated up out of the weeds right next to us. BIG sucker, white with cream blotches. I stood there kinda "duh, that's a cool bird" My partner was frantically loading his shotty, got off two hail marys then whipped around "DOOD WHY DIDN'T YOU PLUG THAT THING??!!!" Hey man, didn't know pigeon was on the card, sorry brother, say something next time. He took off after that thing like a mad man. Came back, we started kicking bushes, an hour later we see it again loping along on the horizon, he goes off haulin a** after it again. Never got it. Funny stuff.

Stovey, your story and the picks make my feet hurt just thinking about the area you hunt in. Good luck buddy on your next outing. Won't be here for awhile, but I will catch up on your stories. They are fun.--terry

I'd love to hunt with you Stovey...but I fear my back and knees would not allow me. The country you hunt looks magnificent mate...truly beautiful.

Enjoy the last week mate...GET SOME.

Cheers, Vince

Thanks boys! Ter- get settled and get to poppin'! Or Dakota might eat yer slippers.

Vince- we'll do it old school like Capstick. Drive around 'till ya find them then get out quietly and then pop 'em after a short stalk.

You better "shine" them boots...

Yepper- they get some Skidmores after every outing. Sure dont look that knackered before they go out.

stovepipe wrote:

Thanks boys! Ter- get settled and get to poppin'! Or Dakota might eat yer slippers. Vince- we'll do it old school like Capstick. Drive around 'till ya find them then get out quietly and then pop 'em after a short stalk.

That works for me mate...or we could do it Bushy's way...on horseback. Shame old Cutter ain't with us anymore. By the way Bushy...how is Zeus shaping up...getting ready to fill his Uncle Cutters shoes yet?

Cheers, Vince

Well we'll find out in the spring just how much he remembers.

IT'S RAININ'!!!