Adam (SD Pheasant Slayer) is a master's student at the University of South Dakota. His specializes in killing pheasants, but figured he could handle some grouse as well. His dog of choice is the shorthair.
Justin is a second year law student at USD. He hails from Oregon, but finished an undergrad at Idaho. He runs Brittany's and specializes in chukar and huns.
Caleb is another M.S. Biology student. He's a Nebraska native that's working hard to mold himself into a respectable Dakotan. His specialty: Shooting birds in general. He's an equal opportunity killer that loves a well built lab.
Hinkle is also another M.S. Student. He comes from out east and calls himself a Wisconsonite, but doesn't really appreciate football, so he's not really welcome back home. Hinkle's specialty revolves around the cooking aspect of wild game, but under the tutelage of the others, he's learning to kill.
The journey started Thursday night at around 8pm, following an invigorating 3 hour River Ecology lecture. After the 4 hour drive, our heroes arrived at their merry cabin home north of Chamberlain.
After unpacking, the band decided to relax and mentally prepare for the upcoming days
The morning came early for our eager band of killers as they found themselves on the grasslands shortly after shooting light.
The grasslands presented a formidable challenge for even the fittest of gunners.
As our heroes split up to attack different terrain, one stopped to capture a moment an hour into the hunt:
Meanwhile, others battled on, undeterred by the vast open ground ahead:
First blood was drawn by the greenest of the warriors (in both experience and wardrobe). The hunt was afoot as a single chicken fell at the hands of Hinkle:
Across the grasslands, Adam and Caleb struggled up the learning curve, seeing only a few chickens in the first 6 hours (and combined 24 miles) of hunting. The grasslands lay ahead like an unforgiving monster, caring little that the young hunters were clueless as to where to find these mysterious new birds:
But alas, the young shorthair, Cash, just short of six months old stiffened in the wind and spirits were raised:
It wasn't to be though as a hen pheasant exploded ahead. The dispirited hunters trudged on until finally their work paid off at nearly 3:30 in the afternoon. After 8 hours of hunting, Caleb stumbled across a large covey of chickens and dropped a pair while Adam and Cash scrambled over the hill to check out the commotion. Bella, the pretty young lab of Caleb's, came racing back with a chicken in her mouth while Cash and the mighty hunters searched for the second bird. With their heads to the ground, the hunters hardly noticed a tardy chicken exploding to their left. The sound stirred Adam into action and a single load of steel 4's dropped the bird at 45 yards. Though Adam was beaming with his success, his real prize came seconds later when young Cash trotted over and picked up the dead bird and, with a little encouragement, retrieved his very first bird all the way to hand!:
The reinvigorated hunters soon found Caleb's second chicken and carried on with their journey. It took less than a mile for them to finish their day by killing 3 sharpies that failed to bust wild along with their friends. Cash and Bella both made impressive retrieves and the killers started their long hike back to the truck where they indulged themselves in the satisfaction of the Hero Shot:
As the hunters departed, they encountered the first rattler of trip. Deadset on getting a good coiled picture, the hunter's decided to "set up" the shot with some careful manipulation of the snake's disposition:
Their efforts paid off, and the hunters were rewarded with a nice shot of one ornery snake (who was unharmed, for those concerned)
The drive back to the cabin was a spririted one, and the hunters reunited with their companions to find that they too had tasted success. The group posed with their 9 bird total and canine assistants:
The long day left the mighty hunters exhausted and following some cleaning efforts, they found themselves enjoying a lovely grouse dinner. The hunters unwound as the dogs enjoyed their hard-earned rest:
The hunter's slept well (and briefly) that night. 5 o'clock found them stirring for a quick breakfast. The dog's too were waking up:
Determined to reap a greater reward on this second day of hunting, the hunters set out early and arrived in the field right at shooting light, despite omninous clouds:
The companions set out in the rain, but soon the weather cleared and a perfect day to kill grouse presented itself.
The local wildlife showed their appreciation as well:
It didn't take long for the warriors to draw first blood on this day. Adam and Justin killed the day's first birds merely minutes into the hunt. Cash again impressed his proud dad with a nice retrieve. The hunt carried on and the birds in bag increased steadily. Come noon, the hunters needed to take a break, but it was the dog's who desperately needed the rest:
With the dogs fading and the kill count reaching 11, the hunters decided to call it a day early - finishing before 2 o'clock. Again, the time came for some photography:
The hunter’s returned home early that day. Content with their grouse/chicken success, they set out to enjoy the scenery surrounding the cabin:
With tests looming, the hunters were forced to shorten this trip, and set out for their final day of hunting on Sunday. Before taking off, they stopped to appreciate the cabin and take a moment to capture the classic “tough guy” shot:
The hunt ahead was a short one with deadlines to meet, but the mighty hunters managed to scratch out a handful of birds andleft the grasslands with anticipation of hunts to come. For now, the focus has switched to the mighty pheasant opener this coming weekend, but the wide grasslands and elusive grouse and chickens will forever hold a spot in the memory of the companions. The group will someday return, but until then, the birds can rest easy and the mighty hunters can close their eyes to remember the daunting grassland and its quiet beauty
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i hate those "bleep" things. give me the willies. we see way too many of em around here.