Pheasant Hunting at Hi-Lo

Mingo on point

This past Saturday I went with Mark and the dogs to Portage for a little pheasant hunting photo opportunity. The previous Tuesday Mark had gone with a very good friend of his, Paul, to this same pheasant farm and returned that afternoon with a huge grin and sparkling eyes---Mingo had done an awesome job that day hunting and Mark was brimming with pride. Mark already feels that Mingo is just the perfect dog (I would argue with that during those times when he doesn't listen when I call him, when he burps in my face, when he dines on a piece of cow pie....), but he was especially proud of him that day. Consequently, Mark really wanted me to go Saturday morning since it was the last day for hunting, and take some photos of our hounds in action. (Although Lily is still kept in the car during the actual hunting part because of her gun-shyness. She gets to go out in the fields after the hunt and is walked with the other dogs then.)

Mark's pride

Look, no tail feathers!

Well, I have to admit, I did not want to go. Not because I don't love my hounds, but because of the cold weather and the rain/snow mix that was predicted. All of last week was just cool, wet and miserable and I just really wanted to sleep in and stay inside, but Mark convinced me and off we went!

Lots of mud and muck

And it was rainy, snowy, cool, windy and extremely muddy...but I'm glad I went. It really is very cool to see these dogs hunt. They become so focused and get into a little rhythm of sniffiing and tracking. We went with Paul--who actually is the breeder of our Llewellins--and a couple of his dogs, Dualy and Kit. Kit is Lily's full sister and Mingo's 1/2 sister (same dad). Paul has really taught Mark a lot about bird hunting too and it is very interesting to observe Mark learning how to handle the dogs by Paul's experience and expertise.

Paul and Dualy

In all, the guys took 6 birds. I did witness Mingo and Dualy point a rooster for Mark AND Mark successfully shooting it (I guess Mark will sometimes miss:). After the hunt, we let Lily out from the truck and went on a nice walk. She is making vast improvements as there were guns being shot off in the distance by other hunters and she didn't flinch at all. Mark is encourgaged by this and is determined to make her a Great Hunter like the Mighty Mingo. I think she's going to be a mama's dog who sits on my lap on the couch and snuggles.

Lillers

I also wanted to add just a couple additional pictures of my last Colfax visit. There were so many good ones, it's hard not to show more.Emma was a dancerEmma and CocoaScouting the property