Opening day of dove season

[tjhunt2]

Well, after working a 12hr day and not getting to bed before midnight, Peg and I decided we both needed to sleep in and we had a chance to get Lexie a snake vaccine in the morning so the evening hunt it was going to be. The time had finally come to load up and try to beat the crowd to one of my favorite spots. As we loaded our gear, water, and cooler our lab Lexie was going crazy with excitement knowing the shotguns meant the time had finally come for her to have some fun. We arrived at 4:30 and only saw 1 other truck on the way in. On arriving we noticed it looked as if no morning hunters had been there. We continued to hunt the evening not seeing another hunter.

 

I thought we would sit in the airconditioned truck until the birds got going but Peg was anxious and wanted to go sit in the shade. I got her set up and then Lexie and I headed for the other side of the tank. A dove flew over, "BANG", and Lexie was swimming out to retreive the first bird of the evening. As I was walking back to the truck to put my bird on ice, I see Peg pull up and take her first. Lexie retreives her's and from then on I had the most fun I can ever remember on a dove hunt. Peg had shot her first ever dove on the fly and was juming up and down like a little kid. The glow on her face never left her the rest of the afternoon. She was using my new 12ga pump and it didn't fit her very well so I told her she could shoot them if they landed in the tree in front of her. I no longer got that out of my mouth and three dove landed in the tree. Peg pulls up and shoots and all three hit the ground. She was screaming with excitement and I couldn't believe it myself. I don't know when I ever had so much fun watching her shoot them birds. She picks another out of the air and now the bragging starts. "I have 5 how many do you have?" I said one but I'll catch up. Well I never did and she had her limit and I was still on 2 birds. After getting my shotgun back I finished out my limit.

 

Lexie was acting a little strange all day and it didn't dawn on me she was having a reaction to her vaccine shot with all the running around in this 100deg. heat. She also tore two of her pads on a front and hind foot. It wasn't until she couldn't jump up in the truck that I finally put it all together. With all the fun and laughter Peg and I was having, I had over looked Lexie's condition. She was a trooper and continued to retreive but I should have caught this earlier and rested her. She's doing alright with her feet bandaged and I just couldn't pull myself together to go out today without her. So Lexie and I hung out at the house most of the day and then Peg and I went shopping for a new gun for her.

 

Peg & Lexie hangin in the shade

 

My two best dove huntin partners

 

The end to one of the most fun filled days ever. Lots of laughing, high fiving, and just plain fun.

 

Don't let Peg and Tom let you think for one minute these are their birds. I retreived them all and they actually belong to me. My feet are a little sore but I'll be ready to go in a few more rested days.

[CouesWhitetail]

LOL!! great story! And I am sure Lexie knows those are her birds!! LOL!! Great shooting Peg and congrats on a fine family outing. Lexie will be fine and ready to go in no time!

[reganranch]

Looks like a great time Tj!

[Pine Donkey]

Great story TJ. Good to see Peg cleaning up on the birds. Hope Leie is doing better.

[Elkhunter1]

I was laughing and having a good time just reading this, I am sure Lexie will be hunting in no time. Great story Tj.

[Jimmyc]

Good looking bunch. The birds are just a bonus in the picture. You're all right TJ.

[firstcoueswas80]

Atta kid TJ.... but I dont see a new shotgun of hers anywhere!!!

 

 

Lexie is starting too look like me! Needing a diet and some more exercise! Shes braver than Charlie, he ran off on the 3rd volley of shots from my shotgun Saturday morning!

[Coues Kid]

Good job on the birds hope lexie is doing better.

[trophyhnter]

Great story! All great outing have to have a little trash talken! Thanks for sharing!

[tjhunt2]

Atta kid TJ.... but I dont see a new shotgun of hers anywhere!!!

 

 

Lexie is starting too look like me! Needing a diet and some more exercise! Shes braver than Charlie, he ran off on the 3rd volley of shots from my shotgun Saturday morning!

 

You are absolutely right Casey. Labs are known to be over weight and Lexie's no exception. I've been walking her for the last couple months and trying to get her pads toughened up along with shedding a few lbs, both her and me, but it's hard to do working mostly 12hr days. It doesn't leave much time for anything and living in town doesn't help the situation a bit either. Not making any excuses, for I know I have to work her alot more.

 

I assume you didn't work with your dog on the gun training. I started out with a cap gun, then a 410, and finally a 12ga. while letting her chase pigeons I caught in town. A good friend of mine helped with Lexies training. I bet it's not to late Casey. There are alot of good books and info on the internet. Good luck with her.

 

TJ