Waiting for the Flush
Phil Taunton
Friday, November 10, 2006
Quail season opens Saturday along with an opportunity to harvest a fall turkey.
Peach, the Devil Dog, was definitely onto birds, but I knew they were running by the way she was handling them.
She would stop and point, but when I neared with anticipation of the flush, she would break into a slow stalk, relocate about 10 yards and once again slam into a hard point. This point, trail, point, trail lasted a good hundred yards or more until she swapped ends with a find that said, “They are right there, Boss!” Her body was staunch — solid as a rock, tail straight up.
Perhaps I need to back up a little.
I was never Peach’s boss. She came by her nickname, the Devil Dog, because she was possessed with a passion for hunting and had an unnatural ability for finding birds. Some field trial judges called her “Houndini” because she was able to escape so quick in her quest for birds.
Peach never had an interest in the “wing on a fishing pole routine” and barely tolerated any of my formal dog training. But she pointed and held her first quail at 12 weeks. I harvested a pheasant over her at five months and, to my chagrin, she retrieved the crippled bird to hand and got spurred in the process.
Not thinking twice about her wound, she was off to find more game.
Peach was the closest thing to a natural — or supernatural — bird dog I ever had. I learned a lot from her.
Turn Peach loose in a field and she would find you birds. Sometimes it was a chore to keep track of her, but who cared. She was a bird finder and a hard hunter. That was her life.
Back to the point.
She had our quarry nailed this time. As I readied myself for the explosive flush of what I thought would be a covey of quail, you can imagine my surprise when the grass parted, sprayed into the air and what I can best describe as a swirling mass of black robes exploded into the sky.
The Devil Dog and I were both startled. I for sure thought Peach had met her maker.
It was a wild turkey. I never once thought about shooting it. At that time, it was illegal to harvest turkey in the fall, much less hunt them with dogs.
But all that has changed...
Fall turkey hunting
When it comes to fall hunting in Kansas, most hunters think of upland birds, ducks or deer. But fall turkey hunting is becoming increasingly popular, with a long season and the opportunity to bag as many as four of these large birds.
Also, the fall season offers a turkey hunt using dogs, much like upland game birds are hunted (Use of dogs is not allowed during the spring season).
While some hunters walk fields for turkeys in the fall, others use more traditional methods, setting blinds near roosts and using decoys and calls to lure birds within range. The kee-kee-run or flock-gathering call works best once the winter flocks are broken up.
Still others purchase turkey permits and game tags in hopes of bagging a turkey while they are hunting deer from a tree stand during deer archery season. Whatever method is used, fall turkey hunting offers a special opportunity for Kansas hunters. For more information on this and other news, view Kansas Wildlife and Parks on the Internet at http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us.
There you have it. You talk about a mixed bag of game. Some upland game bird hunters still aren’t aware fall turkey hunting with dogs is legal.
When I go quail hunting this weekend, I will be sure to have a turkey permit and tags. Remember, toms, poults, jakes and hens can all be harvested during the fall season, four birds in all. Permit and tags must be bought the day before the hunt.
Just be sure you don’t shoot more than you can carry. Our biggest bird to date pointed by the dogs was a 22-pound Tom with an 11-inch beard. Carrying it made the mile-and-a-half trek back to the truck seem like a death march!
Sheza Lucky Peach is gone now, but would she ever be proud. Wherever she is.
Recipe of the week:
Gobbling Good Chili
Wondering what to do with that big ol’ Tom Turkey you (or your husband) just brought home from your latest outdoor adventure? Here is a simple recipe you just need to try.
Filet breast and thigh meat from the bone, and when doing so, check for and discard any shot, bone fragments and feathers you might find.
This chili is very easy to make. Everyone I have given or fed this to really likes it.
Use your favorite white chicken or pork chili recipe, or make things simple and use a prepared mix such as McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning per pound of cubed wild turkey meat. Follow directions on packet. With it, add a can of tomatoes and green chilies for additional flavor.
So good, you will think your lips fell in love. This dish can also be used as a dip or drained and used as a meat filler in burritos.