I got up early on Saturday to make the 2.5 hour drive to my favorite spot. Camryn, my 6 year old had decided that she wanted to come along. After hitting the Wal Mart in Payson for some supplies we were running a little late. It was getting light and I could hear shots from the parking lot. We still had another hour to drive.

When we got near my spot, I noticed some turkeys (I really need to draw a tag for this area.). I would have put the stalk on for some better pictures, but I wanted to get hunting.

Then we pulled up to my spot. It is not on my Dad’s property, but I know who owns it. I have hunted that spot for the last few years on the opener. It is some cedar trees that are next to a retention pond that my Dad built for his irrigation system. Great spot for Doves. To my dismay, there were already three trucks there with about 8 hunters. I talked briefly to one of them. He said “We’ve been hunting this spot for 14 years.” – Yeah right. I left them alone and went to try some other spots.

Camryn and I ended up wandering around the trees on my Dad’s property. Exploring and taking pictures.

Finally I saw one dove in a tree. I was able to get close enough for a shot just as it took off. Spooner retrieved his first wild bird nicely. Not to hand, but I was glad that he would retrieve a dove.

Meanwhile I could hear those guys back at my spot. Shot after shot rang out. We didn’t see another bird. Camryn and I walked around a lot. She likes exploring as much as I do.

We hiked over to the spring that ends up as the irrigation water for my Dad’s place. It had been a long time since I hiked up to the source. Camryn hadn’t been there yet and I thought it would be fun for her.

This is where it comes out of the ground. There is a muddy area just above it. I could see that it had been used recently as an Elk wallow.

Camryn and Spooner above the Spring.

On the way back down from the spring, Camryn said she saw an animal. She wasn’t sure what it was but it was grey and it looked like a wolf or “woof” as she called it only smaller. I missed it, but I guess she must have seen her first coyote.

By this time it was only about noon. We headed into town for some lunch, and explored the Territorial Capitol in Fillmore. Camryn was still having a good time with “her old man”. I can’t believe she already calls me that. We headed back out and found my spot empty. We took a short nap under a tree. Then took a look at the watch. It was only 3pm. I figured we could wait around till dark for another chance at birds. Camryn wanted to head home. Reluctantly I gave in.

About half way home I called Caleb to see how his hunt was going out in the west desert. He said there was plenty of birds and that I should come out.

You want to do what?

Caleb gave me his GPS coordinates and we changed course. We arrived to meet Caleb and Tyson with about 2 hours of daylight left. Plenty of time to exchange stories about the days events. Tyson had shot his first 3 doves that morning. Caleb had a few in the bag too.

Just as the sun began to set, the birds started coming into the watering hole Caleb had picked out. Caleb and Tyson put a couple more in the bag. I missed some easy shots. Camryn was a trooper and hung out with the boys despite being tired.

I have shot training birds over Spooner several times. He never showed any signs of being gunshy. The thought never entered my mind to worry about him. After the second or third round of 3 of us blasting our shoguns at the same time, Spooner took off back to the Jeep. He glued himself to a tire under the rig. I am very sad and concerned about this. I plan to go back to square one introducing gunfire. I hope there wasn’t permanant damage done.

We left at dark and I hurried out of there. My wife wasn’t too happy about the side trip on the way home, so I tried to hurry. We got home around 9:30pm. It was a long day. 500 miles round trip for one dove. But you know what….

….. It’s not always about the birds.