Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Ghost of Pheasant Past?
Late yesterday afternoon, after communicating with my sister-in-law for an hour and a half via Yahoo Messenger, my eyes were drawn to the cornfield. I caught a sight reminiscent of the last day of pheasant season in January. I can remember pulling out my new Remington 870 Youth Express and squeezing off a couple of shots.( just to see if it would work mind you;) )
At 3:40, a rooster pheasant had made himself a visible target, must have gotten beyond the jitters of the opening day of the current pheasant season. Could it be the same one I didn't get in January?!?
Like always at this time of year my gun was sitting beside the front door ready to pick up and go. The gun being a pump action I wanted it to be ready to fire when I got outside. My mistake was moving back and forth in front of the door. Blasted bird seemed to be watching me with his head cocked to one side.
Went into a bedroom to pull the chamber closed and add more shot cartridges. ( if you're going to shoot be prepared!) Slipped on my boots, headed out to an adjacent field since he wasn't anywhere to be seen by this time. Guess I really should get a clue, and keep my shoes on to be ready ...Once again re-hashing some previous self-analysis from earlier experiences.
The search was brief since I didn't send anything into flight.
Returning to the house to reflect for a time - my thoughts brought a smile to my lips...As the long shadows gave way to darkness "The Ghost of Pheasant Past" has come back to haunt me....; )
You'll get him next time. After all, you learned some lessons from this time around, so you'll be better prepared next time.
ReplyDeleteKristine- Thanks for your support. I will do my best to try to get this wily pheasant.
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of "animals from hunting pasts" that still haunt me.
ReplyDeleteI can still see the big gray face of this whily ole buck that came out of the grass field at about 30yds. I caught the biggest case of buck fever you've ever saw and never pulled the trigger before he ran off.
I cannot tell you how many times I have replayed that one!
Keeps us coming back!
Arthur - You got it. The hope of getting the ones we didn't the last hunt; drives us to get back out there and try, try, try, again. GO H-U-N-T-E-R-S!!! ;)
ReplyDelete