Thank you for the thread again this year Jamie. Been outstanding to read along with you and the pooches. Congratulations on becoming a grandfather.
Squirrel Doggin' 2016
- Thread starter Jamie
- Start date
Gordo
Senior Member
Congrats Gramps!
And congrats on a hell of a squirrel season! Awesome. Been great to follow and I'm looking forward to getting in on the action and meeting the dogs.
And congrats on a hell of a squirrel season! Awesome. Been great to follow and I'm looking forward to getting in on the action and meeting the dogs.
Isn't it curious how the things we encounter, the people we meet, the circumstances we find ourselves in, or create for ourselves alter the direction of our lives? Goals change over time, but setting them and striving to achieve them is always what propels all of us forward in our own directions.
I've said before that if I had discovered how much I like handling dogs 30 years ago, I may have never stuck with the bow and arrow. It isn't easy to admit that since classical archery hunting has consumed nearly all of the leisure time of my adult life, and a goodly portion of my adolescent life as well. what once drove me to master the bow and arrow, to hunt deer 300+ hours a season and make my own equipment, etc. now drives me to spend time in the field with dogs. Drives me to understand the intricacies of their complex behaviors, the nuances of their individual personalities, and how to function with them beyond just holding the lead and barking out commands. Who knew?
I freely admit that I just got lucky with Lefty. I got in his way more than I helped him, but to his credit, he learned to do what he does in spite of my incompetence. Perhaps things would be different if he had not become the tree dog and loyal companion that he is. Having one dog that hunts is great. Having two must be twice as great, right? LOL... Well, actually, yes, I tend to think so now.
For this season, there was not a shred of doubt left in me about Lefty and how he will perform in the squirrel woods. After last season, I was a true believer. So, this season I was able to focus on what needed to be done to get Slick started. What that really amounted to was turning him loose and staying out of the way. That sounds simple enough, and it is, but it is far from easy to actually do. I caught myself "helping" too much more than once, but in the end, I pretty well stayed out of the way and let him find his way around the squirrel woods on his own. Of all the things Lefty has taught me, that is the thing that appears to me to be the most important. I did not trust Lefty when he was a pup, nor did I really believe that he would do what he is supposed to do. That was my problem, born of inexperience, not Lefty's. He showed me the way eventually. Going in to Slicks first season I truly believed that Slick would put it together, and I trusted him. Suffice it to say that my improved attitude was much easier on both of us, and his warp speed progression from bumbling cute puppy to a shrewd squirrel finder is irrefutable evidence. Although we did not kill quite as many squirrels as last year, we did ok. Piling up rats was the focus last season, and we did that. That was not the focus of this season, but we accomplished more than I expected. Sometimes less really is more.
A prophetic vision of the future from 11/17/16.
indeed, he will.
continued...
I've said before that if I had discovered how much I like handling dogs 30 years ago, I may have never stuck with the bow and arrow. It isn't easy to admit that since classical archery hunting has consumed nearly all of the leisure time of my adult life, and a goodly portion of my adolescent life as well. what once drove me to master the bow and arrow, to hunt deer 300+ hours a season and make my own equipment, etc. now drives me to spend time in the field with dogs. Drives me to understand the intricacies of their complex behaviors, the nuances of their individual personalities, and how to function with them beyond just holding the lead and barking out commands. Who knew?
I freely admit that I just got lucky with Lefty. I got in his way more than I helped him, but to his credit, he learned to do what he does in spite of my incompetence. Perhaps things would be different if he had not become the tree dog and loyal companion that he is. Having one dog that hunts is great. Having two must be twice as great, right? LOL... Well, actually, yes, I tend to think so now.
For this season, there was not a shred of doubt left in me about Lefty and how he will perform in the squirrel woods. After last season, I was a true believer. So, this season I was able to focus on what needed to be done to get Slick started. What that really amounted to was turning him loose and staying out of the way. That sounds simple enough, and it is, but it is far from easy to actually do. I caught myself "helping" too much more than once, but in the end, I pretty well stayed out of the way and let him find his way around the squirrel woods on his own. Of all the things Lefty has taught me, that is the thing that appears to me to be the most important. I did not trust Lefty when he was a pup, nor did I really believe that he would do what he is supposed to do. That was my problem, born of inexperience, not Lefty's. He showed me the way eventually. Going in to Slicks first season I truly believed that Slick would put it together, and I trusted him. Suffice it to say that my improved attitude was much easier on both of us, and his warp speed progression from bumbling cute puppy to a shrewd squirrel finder is irrefutable evidence. Although we did not kill quite as many squirrels as last year, we did ok. Piling up rats was the focus last season, and we did that. That was not the focus of this season, but we accomplished more than I expected. Sometimes less really is more.
A prophetic vision of the future from 11/17/16.
indeed, he will.
continued...
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Thanks for letting us follow along again this yr Jamie!
Sure was fun to see how Slick progressed as the season went along.Looking forward to next season.
Congrats Gramps,you will enjoy being a grandfather their is nothing better.
Sure was fun to see how Slick progressed as the season went along.Looking forward to next season.
Congrats Gramps,you will enjoy being a grandfather their is nothing better.
Very very cool!!! Hard to believe that Slick hasn't even seen his first birthday yet!!! Can't wait till next year!!!
What a great season jamie! Ive gotten very lucky with my beagles much like you did with lefty. I thought I was training Turbo. But we were learning our crazy sport together. I think he trained me. I started out much like you, i was a diehard bowhunter for years. Ever since i was old enough to sit in a treestand. Now deer season doesnt even excite me much. I cant wait for rabbit season now. I drive down the road and pass by property and think to myself, i bet we could run a rabbit outta there. Just to hear the dogs work drives me. Well again great season and thanks for sharing!!!
I recall a warm spell this time of year last year, so I dug this up for fun. this is from February 21, 2016, and it was 70 degrees that day.
since the season ended, I've been busy taking care of business and such, but found some time to get out with the dogs again. pretty warm, but a nice day to be out. Lefty found four, Slick found three, and a few dens for both, too. not a bad showing for a morning hunt .
makes me glad I'm not a squirrel. mischeif.gif
since the season ended, I've been busy taking care of business and such, but found some time to get out with the dogs again. pretty warm, but a nice day to be out. Lefty found four, Slick found three, and a few dens for both, too. not a bad showing for a morning hunt .
makes me glad I'm not a squirrel. mischeif.gif
one last hero shot before I start handing out squirrel tail treats. another fruitful season of squirrel doggin' gone by much too fast.
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