Gyldearn German Wirehaired Pointers

Well shooting season is over and what a season it's been, the foul weather in August and through to December saw absolutely drenched Partridges, many were lost and those that were not were very reluctant to flight, it was a job to put them over the guns and make the bags.                     We did manage though, but it was hard going and tense days at the beginning, though Pheasants were good.

The latter part of December through to Janruary produced the bright crisp winter days which make Sport so much more picturesque and enjoyable for all not only the paying Guns. Birds were presented with the utmost proffesionalism from keepering team and beaters alike, some drives presented some challenging high birds and for the most they zipped from the flushing points wave after wave like squadrons of bombers, some high, some good birds, wings spread and fast giving all a spectacle to warm the heart. Let alone jaw dropping moments for the Guns themselves.

Woodcock numbers were good and opportunity was there every day to bag a few, though at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, most were put up my Gunnar, he really does have a keen nose for finding game.

Little Anja made her debut on the driven days and was perfectly acceptable given her age, we found her under Danni's guiding hand it must be said, to be a great picking up dog, having eye wiped several of the picker ups dogs on many occasions, watching Danni and Anja from a distance and seeing the perfectly presented birds to handler was heart warming indeed and nice to see myths of hard mouthed continental breeds being dissolved in front of all.

For the most Janruary was the cold snow laden month we expect up here though determined Guns, and the rest of us braved the ice and deep snow as we trudged through the drives only one day was cancelled for a return the next day due to severely foggy conditions that would have caused a safety issue, the next day being back to crisp and clear. Unfortuneately for Gunnar waiting on that foggy day to see if it would clear over at least some of the drives to get started and salvage something of the day, had the boy sat at heel for a considerable time, unknown to me was his scrotum had in fact froze to the ice and when we moved he followed and left skin on the ground, poor boy.

There was only one trip to the Veterinary with Gunnar at the start of the season where he got tangled in barbed wire and nicked an artery in his foot trying to kick free from it, it didn't stop him finishing the drive before I noticed as he hadn't given voice as it happened, but a quick run home and left with Danni to see him to the surgery had him on the mend, though a week at home was called for.

All in all it was a good season, camaraderie was strong and sport was good in the end certainly a 'Triumph in the face of adversity'.

So now we count the days (174 of them as I write this) til season kicks off again on Partridges, hope you all have a great off season, and lets hope for a warm summer, we definately deserve one.

Cheers