The dogs are the stars of my fall. Working every day finding grouse and woodcock. The clients and I walk 8 to 10 miles each day but the dogs cover twice that. Their work makes the hunt entertaining and productive. As you might expect they lose weight and are very tired by the end of the season when we return from Libby Camps the drill is for them to eat like there is no tomorrow and sleep.

As I drove to Augusta Tuesday morning planning to attend an all-day meeting, the weather was balmy with not a breath of wind. I went into the first session and talking with a friend about what a nice day it would be to go fishing. When the session ended he looked at me and said “you are going fishing aren’t you?” My answer was not spoken rather an action.

As luck would have it a group canceled at Libby Camps this week and I was able to spend a few extra days at home. Yesterday I exercised the dogs in a local grouse cover, yes we found a few birds. It is always a treat to work with the dogs when they are at the top of their game late in the season.