I was born in the '85, I'm 31 now. When I came along and was old enough to carry a gun, bird hunting was a thing of the past for the most part. I was still fortunate enough to be able to experience a few covey rises and kill a few. Although it's sad when you can recall exactly where, when, and how it all went down. As opposed to having so many memories your mind forgets a few. All my dad cared about was "bird" hunting. A dove was a dove, duck a duck, but quail hunting was referred to as "bird huntjng". He hunted other game but when quail season came in, all the other bullshit stopped. He was at peace in a cut over or a thick creek bottom trailing a couple of pointers and setters. Sadly by the time I was old enough to enjoy it with him the opportunities didn't exist anymore.
My dad started hunting birds in the 50's in his early teens. He always tried out for the basketball team, made the cut, then would quite as soon as quail season opened. He raised dogs his whole life, mostly English setters and pointers with a few drops mixed in. He carried a variety of SxS chambered in 12,16, or 20. His last bird gun was an old 870 that he cut off at 18" so he could swing it better in the thickets. I've got pictures of myself in the puppy lot at 3 years old with his last litter of setters.
He passed away 3 years ago this past month. I've still got his last dog, a male setter, he's 14 now. He's old, brittle, and his hips are getting bad. Every time I look into his eyes I can see my dad. The willingness to go is there but the body can't do what the mind wants. Every time I see or hear a wild bird I always smile and say hello. It's just his way or dropping in. In the last two springs on separate occasions while turkey hunting I've walked up on a pair of birds. Within an hour both times I've managed to find and kill a longboard.
In my mind I can still see myself riding shotgun down some country road. Dads sipping on a cold colors light and I'm pounding Reese pieces and mtn dew like they're going out of style. All hopped up on caffeine ready for the next drop. I didn't know it but those were my good old days.
If I could have one wish, I'd wish for one more covey rise with the old man.
Sweet Jesus that was beautiful....got a little misty eyed!
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