I’m set up in Princeton for a few days work and hunting. Copper Mountain is pretty well hunted out with lots of hunters coming in recent years. I remember shooting deer here decades back when Whipsaw was the go to place.
Now I’m here because it has good wifi with my star link and Telus cell coverage. This allows me to work virtual for the next few days an then get in an evening or morning hunt as well. I’d like to go to some other places near Chilliwack but the cell coverage isn’t sufficient for work. I’m resisting the temptation to take time off which I rarely do but it’s not early that inconveniencing doing some work as well. The mid day is the least successful hunt. Morning is the most successful hunting time.
This morning I slept in. I wake at 7 so did today when I really planned to wake at 6 and get out at dawn. I’m here. That’s a plus. You can’t shoot game in the city. I also figure there’s a forumla that goe with the success following x number of hours hunting. These days I’m not really hunting very well. Ambush is the best, stalking second best and least successful driving around. At least I’m on a Quad.
I had a fall a few years ago and have been slowly getting better ever since. I couldn’t walk a half block one year. I can still ride quad’s and motorcycles. Thankfully riding hasn’t been affected. My main concern was slipping again. I’ve had so many patients got through hip or knee replacement due to falls or trauma. I don’t like the idea of surgery but mostly I have witnessed them take 6 months of physio and sometimes a year to get back to fully functional. I love the positive outcomes but cringe at so much time in recovery. Prevention therefore is the best medicine.
I used to run down mountainsides. I’ve done the same riding horses, dirt bikes and quads. The last couple of years I felt frail. Chronic back pain interfering with sleep and walking. Not all the time but enough. I’ve resisted ‘poor me’ and watched myself getting slowly better. This year I feel good with lots more stamina and hope to hike some. I can walk five miles now and am so thankful. I’ll see how I do with gear.
In the meantime today I loaded the quad for hunting and was off about 8 am. I love having the generator not just for Starlink but for my morning expresso coffee. Delicious. I made a second one to take with me.
It was a glorious morning. The sky was overcast and it was a bit cool with the wind so I put on the jacket I was carrying. I had missed three grouse the night before because my gun strap got tangled in the carrier. I was better prepared but one grouse was just too smart and fast.
I waved a couple,of young hunters by their truck all dressed in camo. I just grabbed my Australian waterproof jacket and realize I look like a cross between a bear and a moose. I’ll have to find some Colour to take with me if I leave the quad.
I began to rain when we were over on Smith but three grouse appeared eager to get some gravel and back to the woods before the rain came down harder. I was luck to shoot two with the 20 guage. I had #4 so shot above the head and was luck to miss the body. The first shot took one and the second flew a bit and I was able to shoot it on a reload.I’ve a side by side Argentinian shot gun. 3 shots and 2 birds. One flew away. Madigan was everywhere looking for more as I walked behind him and picked up the two birds.
I was lucky to have a poncho and kept dry on the hour ride back to camp. Madigan was shielded behind me. The only problem was cleaning my glasses regularly with wet Kleenex. So glad to get back to camp. Filled the generator and quad with gas then made coffee. Cleaned the birds and have 2 in the freezer. I made soup.
Madigan wet and muddy climbed on my seat and wiped himself off before I could greet the towel. He’s a happy filthy dog. I’ve cleaned the mud off the floor.
It’s a good day.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you Creator.
Texting Laura she reminded me it was Madigan’s Birthday .5 years old. Wow!.. Happy Birthday Madigan I guess he did well because he got half a steak charbroiled and half a barbecued grouse breast. He’s been a character. What a wonderful companion. He’s kept me walking. Thanks to him I continue to hunt and we’re enjoying it. Thank you God for keeping him safe and well. Happy Birthday Madigan!!!
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