Im mostly alone when I hunt these days. My partners have aged out, or cashed out. I missed grousemas with Lloyd this year, too many reasons on both ends to bother listing. I never took to deer hunting, absolutely no problem with those who do, but, it just aint me. If I didnt own a dog, I might not hunt.
I mean that. The dog is the most important part to me.
I eat the game I shoot, but, tend to share with a retired couple who enjoy it as much as I do, but, have no desire to help harvest it. My wife and son mostly have no interest in eating it. We have a big sit down dinner a couple times a year, grouse, pheasants, and maybe fish, some kind of domestic chow for my family, think steak or chicken. All cooked in my foodie buddies kitchen. My son is not a meat eater, never has been, but, will tag along on a day bird hunting trip.
I dont know how that will resolve itself. I have hopes.
I never take more than a brace. I used to. Agree with Dustin, I hate losing game. I had a well hit pheasant manage to run to the cat tails last trip out, ticked me off to no end, but, a fox or more likely a coyote owes me, I suppose. If we would have been having some sub zero temps, and the dog and I could have run out after the bird on the ice, we likely would have found him. I have specific pheasant guns and loads which are not grouse guns and loads, but, sometimes the roosters still avoid the bag.
The grouse, not so much.
I enjoy my time afield whether I come home with game or not. I miss my Dad, still hunt his spots here and there, occasionally use his guns, and drive his route to his spots. I have friends who would love to go, but, cant.
The dog enjoys the trip immensely, as well, game taken, or not. I wish the dogs lived longer, and were in better shape at the end. It seems so brief, my time with them.
Their lives are the calendar pages of my own life.
Best,
Ted
