Starting Again

The 2010 Montana upland season has finally come around.  While summer has been  fun, with lots of gopher and prairie dog shooting, it's the cool fall air and turning leaves that get my blood flowing.  It's still a little on the warm side for any serious hunting, but I've had the dogs out a few times, and have found a few birds.  I'm looking forward to lots of good hunts, and hopefully some nice trips, and I'm pretty sure the dogs are too.

Here's Bull literally five minutes into our first foray afield in 2010.

And just a few minutes further, and another group of sharptails.

Bull with another find.

And here's Ivy making a nice cast.

Sage Grouse

It's been a long time coming, but I finally got my sage grouse back from the taxidermist.  The guy does great work, he's just slower than sap in the winter.  This big bird is a monster on the wall, 35 inch wingspan, and 31 inches beak to tail.  He came out great, especially since he wasn't in the best of condition when I took him.  Our season here in Montana closes December 1st, and the birds still aren't in full plumage quite yet.  Between that, me shooting him, and Bull retrieving him, he was a little worse for the wear.  But he looks great on the wall, and brings back lots of memories of that nice afternoon hunt.

Summer Activities

I had a goal for this summer - I wanted to shoot a badger.  Through more luck than anything, I managed to take this fellow while out gopher shooting this morning.  About 17lbs, so while maybe not fit for the record books, still a nice specimen in my book.

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!

Here in Montana, we celebrate in our own way...