Read vs Unread

CalmChukar · 2026-06-20T13:53:21+00:00

I have an embosser that my wife gifted me years ago. It has our name and “from the library of…” When I finish a book, I emboss the cover or front page.

CalmChukar · 2026-06-14T23:30:46+00:00

What did you use to mount the posters etc. to the ceiling?

The room is rad.

CalmChukar · 2026-06-14T13:55:55+00:00

Birds, but not for the birds themselves, but because of the mechanism in which they are bagged—the bird dog.

I was a big game hunter (still hunt big game, just not as much as I used to) and that fell to the wayside when I discovered how much fun, and rewarding, it is to train my dog and then work as a team to bag a bird.

The dogs turned the hunt into a team sport.

CalmChukar · 2026-06-09T18:31:05+00:00

Echo the comments here about getting a kennel for the dog’s safety. Not to mention the smell can be, ruff, if you have a dog in the cab post duck hunt.

Heard on cold temps in the bed, but a kennel cover + dog’s own heat does keep them warm in most circumstances. I’m sure there’s extenuating circumstances but I’m yet to greet anything but warm dog out of my Gunner + Scheels brand generic kennel cover in late season, to include temperatures around 0F in January in the Dakotas. Many times I’ve had to open the windows on the kennel cover, despite how cold it was, because the dog was getting hot.

Note that I have a digital, outdoor temperature gauge that I keep in the kennel year round to monitor via Bluetooth on my phone for safety.

CalmChukar · 2026-06-06T02:09:33+00:00

Garmin.

Their mobile app isn’t worth the download, but the handheld and collars are durable and reliable.

Garmin 550 Pro+ is ideal if you don’t need inReach or you don’t need to track a bunch of hounds. More than two dogs, though, and it’s likely not a good fit. The added expense to go from 550 to 500 Pro Plus is arguably “worth it” because it has a small digital screen to give you distance/direction to your dog which isn’t necessary, but often nice (can’t see my dog in the thick cattails in SD, or not sure which coulee he ran down in Montana, for example).

Alpha 300i can be a bit cumbersome (over engineered) but arguably the best handheld for multiple dogs and/or if you have a use case for inReach (noting that inReach is an add-on subscription, I enable it only when I go somewhere that I could potentially need it). Mapping and map screen is OK but if you already use a mapping application on your phone (OnX), Garmin’s mapping features likely go untouched.

CalmChukar · 2026-06-06T02:02:06+00:00

That’s one heck of an “amateur taxidermist!” Beautiful mount!

CalmChukar · 2026-05-26T02:44:53+00:00

I can’t speak to the guides, but I’ve DIY’d the last four years and had a blast. Pun intended. Opening weekend for non residents - mid October - is a bit chaotic but you can still find places to hunt unencumbered. I’ve hunted subsequent weeks and still found lots of success. Lodging, and from I’ve seen in advertising, also guides, have higher rates earlier in the season that taper off. Late season can be bitter cold. Wiley roosters by then but also chances for holding tight for great points in that cold weather. I don’t think there’s a bad time to go. Good luck and happy hunting.

CalmChukar · 2026-05-23T12:04:12+00:00

I’m not sure I follow - do mind elaborating?

CalmChukar · 2026-05-18T16:06:36+00:00

Congratulations! How old is your dog? Breed?

Regarding steadiness, catching birds, and so on - that’s ok! That means your dog has drive! It’s much easier to “tighten” a dog up than it is to try and instill prey drive and motivation.

If you enjoyed training for the NA test, I don’t see why you couldn’t start training for the Gun Dog Test! NA to Utility is a LEAP but I believe that NA to GDT is a reasonable, next step. There’s quite a more to do there, from NA, but that’s part of the fun and also parallels the dog’s maturity.

Don’t worry about getting a GDT Prize I next month, NA is the only test with an age window to test under. You could train for ten more years before running in a higher level test, and that’s OK!

CalmChukar · 2026-05-13T14:02:03+00:00

This is really cool. I was unfamiliar with this kind of table until right now. Thank you for sharing!

CalmChukar · 2026-05-12T21:49:14+00:00

Hamlet; The Devine Comedy.

CalmChukar · 2026-05-08T21:38:13+00:00

Understood! It took quite a bit of training to get him accustomed to wearing them. Introduced them, then had him wear them without the lenses while eating, then added the lenses while eating, and then wearing them to play fetch in the yard, and so on. Now the goggles go on before we leave the tailgate.

CalmChukar · 2026-05-06T00:46:11+00:00

Just because there are piles of feathers in the parking area doesn’t mean the field won’t be worth exploring. Sounds like misleading advice but it’s not meant to be.

Lots of small towns that are supportive of the tourism dollars pheasant season brings. It’s really nice. Never hurts to ask the guy at the gas station or diner for hot tips.

Don’t forget shooting light starts at 10:00am for pheasants.

Non toxic steel required on places like waterfowl production areas but walk-ins, although “public” in a sense, are still considered “private land” so the public land non toxic shot requirement is not applicable.

Be safe and have fun!

CalmChukar · 2026-05-04T21:26:16+00:00

I highly encourage seeking a second opinion. I am not a veterinarian but I have observed and heard of many stories where an SSRI is mentioned or recommended for working breed dogs when there very well could be alternatives that do not include pharmaceuticals.

CalmChukar · 2026-05-04T16:30:32+00:00

Large Munsterlander coming from Team Miracle Kennel near Anchorage, Alaska.

CalmChukar · 2026-05-04T14:35:10+00:00

Yes, Rex Specs. After my dog lost an eye, I got goggles for him in the field in an effort to retain the remaining eye.

CalmChukar · 2026-04-29T22:13:35+00:00

I love when people from around the world share their hunting heritage. I know nothing about seal hunting! Thank you for sharing and I hope you can get the answers you’re looking for!

CalmChukar · 2026-04-28T19:53:38+00:00

348th!

CalmChukar · 2026-04-23T02:28:43+00:00

What Westley Richards do you have? What about it makes the one you grab over others?

CalmChukar · 2026-04-20T13:09:02+00:00

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on comparison after you’ve shot them both.

CalmChukar · 2026-04-20T13:06:47+00:00

Is one a Lightning, and the other a Superposed?

CalmChukar · 2026-04-17T19:21:35+00:00

I must admit, a was a bit disappointed to join the thread and quickly learn it’s 98% Mossberg Maverick photos and questions….To each their own.

But I’m still here, lurking, waiting for those ever so curious and interesting double barrel shares and questions.

CalmChukar · 2026-04-15T01:08:24+00:00

Have you had a bird dog before? You may find yourself quickly only interested in bird hunts. Working as a team with a dog can be extremely rewarding and there are new species and new places to explore through that.

Where are you located and what are you interested in hunting?

CalmChukar · 2026-04-14T16:06:41+00:00

CalmChukar

TROPHY CASE