Was at the ranch Friday and spent the night. Was beautiful this morning and temps were lower than they had been in a long time.
Took the pointers out for a walk and to start working them on birds now that the hatches are over.
Had to drive across the creek. Stupid beaver has dammed up the creek and it was too deep to walk across.
Headed for the big hill behind the main house. Made it to the top and the dogs were running good. Got some good points and too many flushes. Dogs always work too fast the first time out on real birds each year.
On the way back we were reworking a cover we had been through earlier when I noticed a hawk above the area. He was flying low and working in tight circles. I stopped and watched and immediately noticed it was shadowing the pointers. He was much too small to have any interest in the dogs as prey. The only thing I can think of was it had learned that dogs and or coyotes move small game and offer him chances at a successful hunt.
Stayed there and let the dogs really work the area over hoping to put up a quail to see if my theory held. No luck. All the birds had moved out. Perhaps it was looking for rodents?
I was wondering if some falconer had lost his hawk.
Anyone else ever seen this?
Once I had the dogs worn down I kenneled them and hopped in the tractor and headed back to some of the same area we worked to clean up a two track that had gotten quite rutted up last year.
Spent about 2 hours filling ruts with the loader and back dragging to smooth things out.
Headed to the pond to see if the parking area there needed some attention. i looked out my right side window and spotted a coyote about 60 yards from me. What really caught my eye was the color. Almost black.
In the past, locals had told me of a black coyote. I wrote it off to to local urban myth. That was so many years ago there is no way “that” black coyote would still be alive. But here was a coyote you could call black.
It was oblivious to my presence. I was surprised to see it because I had been repairing that road less than 150 yards from where the coyote was.
All I had with me was my Browning 1911/22. Too far for an ethical shot. Should have had my 243 with me but I don’t like it bouncing around in the tractor.
The ranch is a pay to play bird hunting operation. It is all wild birds and we guard them jealously. All coyotes and feral cats are shot on sight.
Mornings like this remind why I appreciate my time there so much.
Took the pointers out for a walk and to start working them on birds now that the hatches are over.
Had to drive across the creek. Stupid beaver has dammed up the creek and it was too deep to walk across.
Headed for the big hill behind the main house. Made it to the top and the dogs were running good. Got some good points and too many flushes. Dogs always work too fast the first time out on real birds each year.
On the way back we were reworking a cover we had been through earlier when I noticed a hawk above the area. He was flying low and working in tight circles. I stopped and watched and immediately noticed it was shadowing the pointers. He was much too small to have any interest in the dogs as prey. The only thing I can think of was it had learned that dogs and or coyotes move small game and offer him chances at a successful hunt.
Stayed there and let the dogs really work the area over hoping to put up a quail to see if my theory held. No luck. All the birds had moved out. Perhaps it was looking for rodents?
I was wondering if some falconer had lost his hawk.
Anyone else ever seen this?
Once I had the dogs worn down I kenneled them and hopped in the tractor and headed back to some of the same area we worked to clean up a two track that had gotten quite rutted up last year.
Spent about 2 hours filling ruts with the loader and back dragging to smooth things out.
Headed to the pond to see if the parking area there needed some attention. i looked out my right side window and spotted a coyote about 60 yards from me. What really caught my eye was the color. Almost black.
In the past, locals had told me of a black coyote. I wrote it off to to local urban myth. That was so many years ago there is no way “that” black coyote would still be alive. But here was a coyote you could call black.
It was oblivious to my presence. I was surprised to see it because I had been repairing that road less than 150 yards from where the coyote was.
All I had with me was my Browning 1911/22. Too far for an ethical shot. Should have had my 243 with me but I don’t like it bouncing around in the tractor.
The ranch is a pay to play bird hunting operation. It is all wild birds and we guard them jealously. All coyotes and feral cats are shot on sight.
Mornings like this remind why I appreciate my time there so much.
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