Hunting on the HiLine 2014: Volume 1. Opening Day of Bird Season.

Well, it's my first hunting-specific post of the fall, so I guess that means the start of my annual fall series, Hunting on the HiLine.

September 1 was the opening day of bird season. As of September 1, hunters can shoot Hungarian Partridge (or "Huns" as we call them), or Sharptail Grouse. Chinese Pheasants get added to the mix not until later in October sometime. They have a shorter season. Antelope-Bow season has been going for a few weeks, but Jeff has been too busy with harvest and other farming operations to take any time to bow-hunt.

Harvey, however, never takes time off of bird hunting.

Harvey, pointing at a bird. 

This dog was born to hunt and is in absolute paradise living where we live with three species of game birds right under his nose on a daily basis. Whenever we go for walks or runs, Harvey is sniffing the air and the ground, waiting to catch scent of one of his birds. He has such great hunting instincts, too. He can tell between game birds and and everything else, and that's something that we really did not train him on. He just knows.

He looks left... 

He looks right... 

I love, love, love watching him hunt, and watching him run. Something about watching a working dog do their thing that is just so cool.

But what I also love about Harvey is that he is also always going to be our snuggly, cuddly, 55 lb lap dog, too. The great thing about Vizslas is that they can be working dogs, but they can also be the best family companion dogs, too. Best dog ever.

Harvey is also a proud MSU fan! Go Bobcats! :)

Even though bird season is open, we haven't taken a shotgun out for any hunting excursions yet. As always, Jeff will be the one to actually do the shooting, when we do go out. I will enjoy hiking around the grassy fields and pastures, watching Harvey work. Until then, Harvey will have to be content "just practicing" when we're out for regular walks and runs.

Happy Hunting, everyone!

"Mom-- When are you taking me hunting for real!??!"