Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse from Weatherby�s Resort, October 2010

Dash and I left Portland, Oregon on October 16th, and flew to Boston, Mass. For our second trip to Weatherby�s Resort. From there I rented a car and we drove up to Maine. �I could have flown Dash in to Portland, Maine, and saved myself a lot of driving, but it�s more important to me that I reduce the amount of time Dash spends in an airplane when we travel. �It would have added a couple more hours to his flight, so I just felt it was better to fly into Boston. He was grateful to get out after a nice 5 hour flight.

If you�ve not been to the upper New England area in the fall, you have no idea just how beautiful the colors are that time of year. �Unlike our western forests that are mostly evergreen, the forests of Maine are mostly deciduous trees...Maple, Alder, Birch. �As Dash and I made the drive North I couldn�t take my eyes off of the brilliant reds, yellows, oranges and fading green of the leaves. �The sun was out, so the forest was almost neon in its shimmering colors. �By the time evening came around, we stopped just south of Bangor for the night. �Early the next morning we began the last leg of our trip to Grand Lake Stream, arriving in the late morning. �We were greeted by our host Jeff McEvoy, who immediately asked if I was up for a few hours of fly-fishing for Land Locked Salmon before dinner. �Once I got Dash settled into our cabin, Jeff and I headed for the stream. �Due to being jet lagged (at least that �s my excuse), I missed three strikes, hooked one and immediately lost it. �But it was a thrill to be fly-fishing for that great game fish...I�ll do better next time.

When Jeff and I came off the stream, our guest hunter had arrived. �Wink Windsor came all the way from North Carolina to hunt with Dash and me. A true southern gentleman, he was a delight to be with, and a fine shot. �He had never hunted Woodcock before, so Jeff concentrated on taking us to areas where he felt he could find those great little game birds. �Our first morning produced only scenery, although we covered some very �birdy� cover. �You may know that the Woodcock is a migratory upland bird, and they are pretty solitary as well. �So, finding them takes a while, even if you know the area as well as Jeff does. �But, by late morning, Dash worked his magic. �In a low area of soft soil and small saplings, Dash was working a few yards ahead of us, when he froze in his tracks, looking straight ahead and into the cover just in front of his nose. �Since this was Wink�s hunt, Jeff and I held back, as Wink walked in. �When he stepped in front of Dash�s point, the Woodcock burst from the low ground cover and climbed skyward. �Wink�s aim was true, and he had is first Woodcock over Dash. �We took the time to get pictures to record the moment, and it was a pleasure to see how much it meant to Wink. �

Over the three days we hunted together, Dash found and pointed several Woodcock for Wink, who managed to collect 8 birds before we were done on the third day. �During those days, we saw beautiful country, lots of birds...and we even saw a female Moose strolling through the woods. �Each day at the main lodge, meals were prepared for breakfast, lunches were made up to take into the field, and dinners were hearty, delicious and filling. �In addition to Wink, there were several other guests at the lodge, many of whom were fans of Hank and Dash, so each evening was filled with conversations about bird hunting, fly-fishing, Hank and Dash. �Overall, it was another wonderful trip to Weatherby�s Resort. �

If you have never hunted Woodcock, you owe it to yourself to come to Weatherby�s Resort and experience the thrill of hunting those fantastic little birds. �For information on the hunting and fishing available at Weatherby�s Resort, give my friend Jeff McEvoy a call at: �(207) 796-5558 or (207) 926-5598...and tell them I recommended that you call.

Sharptail Grouse in North Dakota, September 2010

Dash and I had another great hunting trip at our friends Nevin and Laura Dahl�s wings shooting operation near the Badlands in Northwest North Dakota. �Formerly known as Badlands Hunting, Nevin�s location is one of the prime prairie hunting areas for Sharptail Grouse, the game bird of the open lands of this great part of our country. �

Whenever possible, I love to drive to hunting areas, so Dash and I left our home in Portland, Oregon, the early morning of the 9th of September. �We spent a day and a half driving through Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana before arriving at Nevin�s the afternoon of the 10th. �It had rained almost the entire day on the 10th, but by the morning of the 11th, the sun was out and the temperature perfect for hunting. �One of the things I love about this operation is being able to stay in their remodeled farm house a couple of miles away from Nevin�s home, out in the farm and prairie land that stretches for miles.

Early in the morning of the 11th, Nevin and his young son Nolan arrived in the �Mule� that Nevin uses to cover the vast areas where Sharptail Grouse live. �We were joined by Gary Stevens, Bruce McGuiness, and Scott Swanson for the hunt. �Since Nevin grew up here, he has an uncanny ability to determine where the Grouse might be at any time of the day, so we all get in the Mule (with Dash in the back) and headed out into the spectacular morning. �I left my Merkel 20 gauge in the farmhouse so that I could concentrate on working Dash for our guests. �The usual routine is for Nevin to drive hunters to likely areas, let them off to begin their hunt, and then drive the Mule to where he can pick up the hunters again when that particular hunt is completed. �When you have miles and miles of prairie out in front of you, believe me, having that kind of service is a true pleasure. �Obviously, it saves time, energy and wear and tear on your bird dog...which Dash greatly appreciates!

As usual, Dash worked perfectly, covering open grassy areas and bunches of Mulberry bushes that are scattered across the area. �Each of our hunters collected birds over Dash�s points during the hunt, and by early afternoon, each of the three hunters had their limits of three Sharptail Grouse apiece. As is their custom, Nevin and Laura had a great dinner prepared for us that evening where we relived the great hunting we�d experienced that day.

After a sound sleep that night, Dash and I woke up to another beautiful day on Sunday. �On this day, our guests were Jeff Dodds and his young Daughter Lillie, in addition to repeat hunters Scott Swanson and Bruce McGuiness. �Hunting completely different areas (there is a LOT of prairie), each of our hunters again collected Grouse over Dash�s spectacular points. As is my custom, for each of the hunters that weekend, I presented a print of Dash�s portrait (the one that hangs in the National Bird Dog Museum) as a gift to remember their hunt with Dash. �I will do the same for you when you come and hunt with us.

Driving back home on the next day, my mind�s eye was filled with visions of the prairie, Dash�s points, the smiles on the hunters faces...and the great hospitality offered by Nevin and Laura. �If you are looking for great bird hunting, a relaxed family atmosphere, and hosts that make you feel like you�re home, give my friends Nevin and Laura a call at 701 842 3907. �Dash and I will be back there again next season, so be sure to ask if there are any openings to join us (dates aren�t set yet, but we like to get there for the opening weekend).

All Alaska Outdoors

In August of 1996, my friend and Director, Bob Corley, our �B� Cameraman David Bogan, Hank and myself flew to Alaska for our very first �Hunting With Hank� adventures that would air the following January on what was then The Outdoor Life Network. �This August of 2010, I finally had an opportunity to return, this time with Hank�s famous son, Dash. �We were to meet up with, and then hunt with two sets of hunters who were anxious to walk behind my handsome Llewellin Setter. �I took my Grandson, London who turns fourteen this September. �It was his first experience in Alaska, and it turned out to be a great trip for him...although it started out a little shaky. �

We arrived in Anchorage around 8pm on the night of the 19th of August. �My plan was to drive to Soldotna, where the Lodges and cabins of All Alaska Outdoors is located. ��Normally, it would have put us at the Lodge around 11pm...Normally! About half-way down highway one, our rental car blew a tire. After reaching AAA in Anchorage with London�s cell phone, we waited for 2 hours before the repair vehicle could reach us. �With the help of the headlights from the AAA truck, we were able to get our tire changed, and we were once again on our way. �At two a.m. on the morning of the 20th, we finally dragged ourselves into our comfortable room and got into bed for a few hours of sleep. �Up at 7a.m. to get ready for our first day of hunting, all three of us were groggy from lack of sleep. But, by the time we met our host, Bob Ledda, at the float plane dock, we were ready for our first hunt. Our guests were Bob and Laura Whitlock and father-in-law Jim Harmon. �When the DeHaviland Beaver was warmed up, we lifted up into a beautiful, clear sky and headed an hour and a half into the Alaska wilderness. The flight was smooth and the scenery was spectacular. �By the time we landed, we had all become acquainted, and were anxious to get going after the reason for our trip...Ptarmigan!

These birds of the tundra are a close cousin to the famed Red Grouse of Scotland. �They are brown and white in the summer and early fall, but turn solid white as the winter sets in and the snow piles up. They live in loose family groups in the willows and tundra and hold well for an experienced bird dog like Dash. �With Jim handling a small video camera, we followed Dash through foothills, lowlands and thick willow patches for several hours. �Dash found and pointed several birds, allowing his fans to get plenty of shooting over him. �A bonus for London was his first bird over Dash�s point, with a fine shot using my Merkel 20 gauge side by side. �When we were all tired, Bob flew us to a beautiful clear lake for some afternoon fishing for Grayling, Char and Lake Trout before we flew back to the lodge, tired and happy.

The following day our guests were two gentlemen who were longtime, good friends Bob Hasiuk and Bill Weisgarber, great fans of both Hank and Dash. Once again, Dash performed with great confidence and patience, finding and pointing several Ptarmigan for Bob and Bill, each taking birds over Dash�s points. �It was a pleasure to see two such great friends enjoying their day together walking the tundra behind Dash. �At the end of our hunt, Bob flew us to a different lake to sample the fishing there. �A small inlet stream (as clear as gin), had Grayling and Char hanging around just waiting for us to break out our fly fishing gear. �A delightful hour was spent catching and releasing those beautiful, hard fighting fish, before Bob flew us back to the Lodge.

Relaxing at the Lodge is a pure pleasure. �The main lodge overlooks trout filled Longmere Lake, and has 1 and 2 bedroom suites. �There are also 2, 2 bedroom cabins, a conference center with 4 suites above it. �So, basically, it can accommodate any of your needs. �In addition to the wing shooting and fly fishing, All Alaska Outdoors offers big game hunting, salmon fishing and wildlife viewing...just pick what you want to do and it will be accomplished. Here�s the best part. �Bob Ledda and his staff are not just knowledgeable, they are very nice people who truly want to make your Alaska adventure one to remember. �

Dash and I will be there again next Ptarmigan season...so if you want to join us, just give Bob Ledda a call at All Alaska Outdoors (1 800 646 4868)...and be sure to tell him that you want to hunt behind Dash.

Weatherby�s Resort

In 1870, in the Northern Maine woods, along the banks of a beautiful stream, Weatherby�s Resort was established. �It has provided spectacular fishing and bird hunting for its guests ever since. �Jeff McEvoy purchased the business 7 years ago, and has continued the tradition first established in the late 19th century. I first met Jeff at the Fly Fishing and Wing Shooting Show in Charlotte, North Carolina last January. �During the course of our visit, he impressed me as a man with great convictions regarding providing the very best fishing or hunting experience he could for his guests. �This past October, Dash and I traveled across the country from our home in Portland, Oregon to see what Jeff had to offer. �

Once we landed in Boston and began our drive up into Maine, I was reminded of just how beautiful New England is in the fall. �Even though we where there in the last week of October, the vibrant colors of the leaves on the trees made the drive very enjoyable. �Once we reached Bangor, Maine and continued to our destination, I was amazed at the amount of water that seemed to be everywhere. �Ponds, creeks, lakes, large streams, and bogs were in virtually every depression we passed. And bordering all of that was mile after mile of mostly deciduous forest that provides perfect habitat for resident Ruffed Grouse and migrating Woodcock.

Dash and I arrived at Weatherby�s Resort in the early afternoon and where immediately greeted by Jeff, who gave me a leisurely guided tour of the complex. �In addition to large main lodge which includes a kitchen, dining area, side lounge and store, there are 15 rustic, comfortable cabins scattered around the property. �The cabins range from sizes that can accommodate individual hunters (and their dogs) as well as large groups, with a total of 40 beds available throughout the compound. �The resort sits right on the banks of Grand Lake Stream, which gets an excellent run of Landlocked Salmon.�But there are also Pickerel, Brook Trout and Small Mouth Bass available in the various streams and lakes that abound in this country. Jeff provides both fishing and hunting guides upon request throughout the summer and fall.

Of course, Dash and I were there for the bird hunting, so here�s my report. �In the drier, wooded areas we found Ruffed Grouse in abundance. �These beautiful birds explode out of cover and immediately find the nearest tree to put between themselves and hunters. �As most hunters learn quickly, the only way to bag one of those sneaking birds is to forget about the trees and just focus on the bird and its path of departure. ��Dash had a great time hunting for them, and several birds made it to our dining room table. �Woodcock, as you probably know, migrate during the fall in what are called �flights�, and they prefer softer, moist ground where they can use their long beaks to search for grubs and worms. �In every place Jeff took us where there should have been Woodcock, we found them�or should I say Dash found them with his nose. Because of their diminutive size and mottled brown feathering, they are virtually impossible to see until they leap into the air. �Once air born they head for the first clearing to make their escape. �In most cases that means they head for the tops of the trees, but I found that they will also dart through small saplings when they can. �A combination of the scenery, the wildness of the country, and the challenges of hunting them, make Woodcock one of my very favorite birds. �All in all it was a great bird hunting experience.

But, if that was all there was to it� it wouldn�t have been as fulfilling a trip. �What made it special was Jeff himself. �A gentleman in every sense of the word, I watched him day after day as he made sure that each guest was treated as a friend, not just a client. Each morning he would make sure directions to good bird covers were given to those who wanted to hunt on their own. �Each evening, before, during and after dinner (all of which were fabulous) he spent time with each guest listening to their stories of the days hunts. �He worked tirelessly to ensure each guest had a memorable experience at Weatherby�s Resort.

I�m proud to be endorsing this fishing and wing shooting operation, and I can hardly wait to return next fall. �To join Dash and me in 2010, give Jeff a call at: �(207) 796-5558 or (207) 926-5598.

Badlands Hunting Company

For the third year in a row, I loaded up my pickup truck with Dash, and Karenanne�s parents (Don and Anne Swift) to open the Sharptail Grouse season in North Dakota. Our destination was once again the Badlands Hunting Company owned by Nevin and Laura Dahl. The drive from Portland, Oregon takes about a day and two thirds, so we arrived on the afternoon of the second day at their restored farmhouse where they lodge their guests. The drive over had been pretty uneventful�lots of sunshine and blue skies all the way across Oregon, Idaho and most of Montana�until we were within sight of the North Dakota border. Coming from the North, and sweeping down across the north western edge of North Dakota was a big storm full of rain and wind.

As we made the turn North to drive up highway 85 off of Interstate 94, we began getting drops of rain on the windshield. I turned the wipers on low, but within a moment, had to turn them up to high because the sky literally opened up and the rain came down in buckets! I had never experienced rain while on one of these trips, so I just assumed that it would pass by quickly and we�d have beautiful weather the rest of the time. Boy, was I wrong. As we got settled into our farmhouse, the storm increased in intensity.

But, it had been a long drive and Don, Dash and I were anxious to get out and see what we could find. The Grouse season didn�t open until the next morning, but at Badlands Hunting, there are 1000 acres set aside for preserve Pheasant hunting, much of it right around the farmhouse. So, the three of us set out to see if we could find some roosters getting out of the storm in the tree rows along the edge of cut stubble. With Dash doing his usual great work, Don and I managed to collect a few birds before we got absolutely soaked�but it was worth it.

The next morning (still raining), Nevin came by to pick us up in his �mule�, and we struck out to search for Sharptails on the rest of his 5000 acres of property. This is the way to hunt for Sharptails with my Father-in-law, Don is 80 years old, and still loves to hunt, but getting an assist by being driven around the country really helps him maintain his energy level for the short walks we took in likely looking cover for those wary prairie birds. Despite the inclement weather, with Dash�s help, we managed to find enough Sharptail Grouse to help up ward off the cold, damp conditions. It wasn�t until our final day, that the weather broke and we saw sunshine and blue skies again. With Nevin�s guiding, and Dash�s fine work, we finished our hunt with several Grouse and a few more Pheasants before we had to think about heading home. But, as usual, Nevin and Laura invited us to their ranch house for a wonderful dinner and great company the night before we had to leave.

In my selecting wing shooting facilities to endorse, I was careful to make sure I had the different regions of the country represented�I also wanted a variety of bird hunting opportunities for your planning purposes�and I also wanted to make sure you would enjoy the people I endorsed. I can assure you that you will find an abundance of birds, but most importantly an abundance of hospitality when you book a hunt with Nevin and Laura Dahl.

El Cortljo Hunting Lodge

In August, my wife Karenanne and I visited El Cortijo Hunting Lodge� (operated by SYC Sporting Adventures) in the province of Cordoba, Argentina. It is located near the small, quaint town of Santa Rosa de Rio Primero, less than an hour's drive from the city of Cordoba.

When we arrived at the Cordoba airport in the afternoon of the 8th of August, we were met by the American Partner of SYC Sporting Adventures, John Wiles, who joined us on our pleasant ride to the lodge. �Upon reaching El Cortijo, Karenanne and I were quickly set up in our room and given a tour of this 5 star resort. In addition to the beautiful main lodge, there are 9 guest rooms with 2 double beds. �Each room has its own private bath, air conditioning, daily maid service, and laundry service. �The main lodge has a business center with computer, internet access, printer, US phone service and WiFi (if you have your laptop). �Between the guest rooms and the lodge sits a beautiful heated pool with hydro massage Jacuzzi. �If you want to take something home representative of Argentina, the lodge even has a gift shop with fine artisan crafts in leather and silver. Be prepared to be amazed at the fantastic meals prepared by Head Chef, David Lucero. �He is a master at the Argentine, Spanish, and local dishes that will have you leaving the table already anxious for the next meal. �For those of you who enjoy wines, El Cortijo features the best Argentine wines, including the national wine, the Malbec.

Now, let me try to describe the Dove and Pigeon shooting so that you don�t think I�m exaggerating. �

How to begin? �Well, let me start this way. �A few years ago, my friend and Director Bob Corley and I taped television specials for OLN/VERSUS on wing shooting in Uruguay, and we were both impressed by the numbers of Doves and Pigeons we saw while there. �Having said that�the numbers of birds Karenanne and I saw on this trip were staggering! �In the province of Cordoba alone, the government estimates that there are over 50 MILLION Doves. That�s �50 MILLION!!! We hunted Doves for three days (mornings and afternoons with a long break for lunch and naps). �We were taken to two different roosts, each a short drive from the lodge. �

Now comes the part of this report where you may think I�m exaggerating�but I�m not. �Just driving to each of the roosts, we saw more Doves than I�ve ever seen on Dove hunts here in my home state of Oregon. All along the route to each roost, Doves were flying out of every roadside tree, and across every open field. Once we got to our location, the guide and his crew set up blinds, shells and stools so all we had to do was shoot. And shoot we did. �I can best describe the shooting by telling you what Karenanne and I saw. �In a 360 degree, complete circle around us, birds were flying in, around, across, and through the roost. Not in singles, or even doubles, but in massive groups. �Not dozens, not hundreds, but THOUSANDS of Doves were in the sky constantly�and of those thousands, hundreds at a time were within easy shotgun range. �All we had to do was try to pick out a single target! �It was astonishing. �It was exhilarating. �It was phenomenal shooting. �

For three days we experienced Dove shooting like I�d only dreamed of�then we had a great change of pace�wild Pigeons. Wild Pigeons are in huge numbers throughout the province of Cordoba. We hunted them in fields near water holes and their roosts. �The shooting is less hectic, but we saw many hundreds of Pigeons each of the two days we hunted them. �The fun part of these hunts was actually decoying them in, almost like ducks. �Again, remember, I�m not exaggerating�even on those hunts, with fewer birds than the Dove hunts, my Merkel 20 gauge barrels were nearly always too hot to touch. Each evening in the main lodge we were treated to another exceptional meal from Chef David Lucero, and retired to our private guest room for a well deserved nights rest. �By the time we had to leave for home on the 15th, Karenanne and I felt like we had made several new friends.

For those of you who are bird hunters, this is one location you should definitely put on your �bucket list�. �For information about arranging a trip to El Cortijo Lodge, just drop me a line, or contact John Wiles at: �john@sycsporting.com or toll free at 866-635-2838.