This past weekend was when my annual upland hunting trip to the Berkshires was scheduled. Good friend Dr. Steve Williams, who started his career as deer biologist at MassWildlife and moved to wildlife positions in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and then to director of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service before becoming president of the Wildlife Institute, traditionally comes to Massachusetts and we pursue woodcock and grouse while enjoying some time afield. Most years, his son Matt and former MassWildlife Director Wayne MacCallum are also part of the group but both were unable to join us.
Day one was Friday and we visited familiar coverts where we have been able to do quite well in the past. Our first “honey hole” was not as productive as normal and we had only two producing points. As we were leaving, we encountered another familiar upland hunter who commented that his week of hunting had produced significantly fewer woodcock flushes. We moved literally across the road and moved a group of three woodcock and then a pair but did not bag anything to add to the single woodcock which had previously collided with a load of #8½ shot from the 28 gauge. We visited a third cover and moved three woodcock but overall, despite nearly a dozen flushes, it was not what we were accustomed to finding.
After lunch, when we were joined by our hostess Ginny Akabane, it was more of the same. Then, when unloading Laney for a hunt, it was noticed that she was picking up her rear right leg when she started running. A quick look did not reveal any blood or other obvious injury but it was clear something was going on. The French Brittany ran and covered ground but, back at the truck, a closer examination revealed one pad was cut and it was good one. Although it was not bleeding, it was long and wide, and our hunt ended a bit early.
Once we got home, a thorough cleaning with soap and warm water showed the extent of the laceration. At fate would have, Ginny’s neighbor, a retired doctor, happened to stop by as we were looking at the wound. Her expert opinion was requested and she looked at the cut. Her thought was that it was something that should be kept clean and dry but since it was not bleeding, not an emergency. First thing Saturday morning a call to Adams Animal Hospital and later to an emergency veterinarian hospital, both led to the same conclusion. It was something which would be fine until Monday when a vet could take a look and determine a treatment plan. It did, however, cut short our hunting. It was frustrating to have two dogs and not be able to hunt. With 15-year-old Dinah not able to go and now an injury to Laney my season was shut down.
The end of October used to be the time when you could plan on woodcock flights moving through and providing the best upland hunting of the season. You have heard this writer refer to November as “the new October” but given the weather we are experiencing, it is obvious that the conditions that move migrating waterfowl and woodcock are clearly not in the short-term forecast.
Meanwhile, my personal schedule is being focused on my wife Penny. Monday, she underwent her second spinal fusion surgery in three years to alleviate crippling pain she has had to endure for six months waiting for this operation. She was released from the hospital the following day and is recovering at home. That process is slow starting as the surgery required removing the bolts that were inserted three years ago and adding a second device to stabilize her spine. Hopefully her recovery will be quick and complete. Meanwhile, yours truly is caring for her and Laney, who gets an ointment applied to the cut twice a day and is supposed to wear her “boot” but manages to throw it on occasion. Nurses are underpaid and underappreciated!
The aforementioned warm weather makes sitting at Lake Mattawa watching your rod tip to signal a trout is biting enjoyable and certainly is saving us all money on energy. There are a lot of outdoor activities, like raking leaves, that are better when it is warm and dry. Hunters, however, are not thrilled. Deer are less active in the unseasonable warmth as they are already wearing their winter coats and become even more nocturnal. Bird dogs have a tough time in the heat and waterfowl certainly are not moving. We all need to be patient, colder weather will surely get here eventually. For deer hunters, both bow hunters and forearms hunters in New Hampshire and Vermont, the traditional peak of rutting activity by bucks is Veterans Day so that should get the bucks moving!