December Roosters Boy what a day. My good friend Charlie Follet called some great folks near Carson City, Michigan and he quickly called me back, the sound of his voice sounded like pure adrenaline. "It's on let's go!." "I'm there Charlie, what time? "We have got to be on 'em early so we have to be there by daylight, can you make it?" I replied, "No problem". Great late season spots are hard to come by. They are around, but it takes some looking. We would be the guests of the Sparks family. The owner Chris, his son Mike and grandson Triston. Brother-in-law Jason came with Mike and they had hunted the fields earlier and also saw a lot of birds. We wouldn't be disappointed. As usual, in the late season, the birds were tightly grouped in the last area of the second field we pushed, but when they blasted, it was what bird hunters wait for, multiple flushes. |
Needless to say, the dogs were primed for this hunt. They have sharpened their hunting skills throughout the early season, several preserve hunts, and a youth hunt. They performed exceptionally. |
We hit the last small abandoned homestead that had a 3 acre swail slowly swallowing the old barn and outbuildings. We posted two at the pivot, so the weary late season birds could not sprint across us and bury themselves in the thicket across the street. We could hear birds flying out the back, then a shot. That shot was too much...a dozen birds poured into the air right in front of us, and with guns firing and dogs scrambling, we harvested several nice cocks. |
The weather was great, the company even better. Mike's son Triston stopped by as we cased the guns. I have never witnessed such a young man have such an interest in pheasants. What a great day! |
