The dogs struck again and took the dogs north. Daniel and I stayed back and Swing wandered up to where the dogs were I suppose because there was a road up that way. Anyway, that rabbit made a small circle and went back towards Swing and he let him have it. Swing's excuse was that the rabbit wasn't circling back to where Daniel could shoot it. He ended it so the dogs could get another rabbit up and hopefully get it by Daniel for another shot. Well, the dogs did get another rabbit up, but like the first one it didnt' cooperate with Swing's plan so he shot that one too.
Swing called the dogs back to hit a little piece of grassy area next to where we were. Then the dern phone rings, its Tony Kildow wanting some info from Swing. Swing is talking away when a covey of quail gets up, now he doesn't know what to do... Birds to shoot, phone in hand, birds getting away, talking on the phone... What a dilema! The main covey is gone, then up pops a few stragglers, Swing can't stand it anymore and he puts the phone in the hand down by the pump, pulls up and fires away. Much to my amazement, down goes the bird! Then like nothing happened, he starts talking to Tony again. Apparently Tony didn't hear the shot, just the action worked on the 870. He wondered what the heck Swing was doing.
We had another fairly nice run as we worked our way back to where we started, but we didn't get a shot at this one. He gave the dogs a major check down in an area that had a lot of leaves on the ground with a dusting of snow on them. Not ideal for scenting. We then went straight for the first area of the day to cover the territory that didn't get worked.
Once there, it didnt' take long for the dogs to open. The dogs brought it around close to where I was and had a check. (Remember me saying something earlier about the rabbits sitting tight?) This rabbit was under some cover and wasn't coming out because it knew I was standing there. The dogs were all over that area, I didn't see the rabbit before but I certainly did as it bolted out and came out just about under my feet. I can't believe how long that rabbit stayed still with the dogs milling around right next to him trying to figure out where he went. Now let me tell you something, hitting a rabbit that is hauling bootie like its life depended on it as it runs right next to your feet isn't easy. My first shot killed a bunch of dirt and the second got some tag alder trees as it managed into the cover at the other side of the opening. I felt like cussing like the old sailor that I am. My batting average for the day took a big dip after that experience. Well, that one got away and the dogs lost it a little later. We continued on up the hill and the dogs struck open again. I can't remember exactly what happened with that one, but we never got it. We were finally going to pack it in and head back to the vehicles when one of Swings dogs opened as he was coming out of the thick stuff. I guess lunch would have to wait a little. Daniel and I headed over to the open area thinkng that it would cross, we could get a quick shot and it would be over in a hurry. Once again, Mr. Rabbit had other things on his mind. He took the dogs down the hill and came back up again. It wasn't too long of a wait and the dogs were coming right back up towards Daniel and me. Sure enough, Mr. Rabbit came bolting out right at our feet. Daniel did the same thing I did earlier, except he killed the ground three times with his semi-auto. I waited until he stopped shooting and managed a shot into a stand of small poplar sapplings. Dead rabbit! I am glad Swing's dogs don't like to tear up the rabbits when they come up on a dead one. Otherwise, that one would have gone to them as it took me forever to work my way in that confounded stuff.
OK, it was time for lunch. We walked the dogs back out and headed for some food. This is the 4th time that I have been over to this spot with Swing, and as I looked at my watch I mentioned to him that this was the latest that we ever left. Next stop, Subway!
OK Swing, your turn!