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| Bandit and limit of Sharptail Grouse |
This short-tailed, shaggy-eared, brown dog and I left the
trailer one hot day in Montana. I didn't expect much since my other dogs had
been birdless all day in the heat and dry grass. I loaded up with water and he
and I took off up a draw with cut wheat on both sides, brush in the draw maybe
ten feet across. He showed me lots of pep, pride and gung ho. "Sure",
I'm thinking, "Let's see what you look like in an hour, hot shot!" Up
draws and hills and we turned the corner and climbed up to higher fields and
plum thickets. I was daydreaming now with my gun over my shoulder. The water was
about gone as the dog swung by every ten minutes for a fill-up. We were on the
home lap and over the next rise I should be able to see the truck down below
us. The dog was tireless. A freak of fitness. He covered the hills in the heat
like no other dog I'd ever seen. He checked every patch of low growing shrub,
getting interested each time (I could tell by watching the white patch on the
end of his tail). Finally, as I was standing in the shade of a small bush
watching him, he spun and locked up! He was about 250 yards away and up the
side of a slope. He deserved every bit of effort I had to get a shot. He held
like a rock as I came up on the other side of the slope and walked to him. Sure
enough, he found them! 15 Sharpies rose up and we had ourselves some fun! This
little Brit is Bandit. He is a pup by my Ace dog, but is owned by Glen Bahde.
Every year I borrow him and take him with me. Every year, he's the last man
standing after my other guys are worn out.
I'm always amazed at the differences in the dogs in a
litter. Out of Bandit's litter, two other dogs made great grouse dogs. They are close working, cautious with great
noses and easy, gentle dispositions. One
other puppy is a house dog and I've lost track of him. But Bandit could never be described as close
working! Good nose and easy disposition,
yes. But, he is a go-getter and he
"moves out"- and always has, even as a little puppy. I love the the
Bandito! I don't think I've ever seen
him injured or worn out or less than 100% ready to go. If attitude is a measure of a bird dog, he is
the best there is.
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Bandit and me in Montana this year
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| Bandit (l) and Ace (r) have one cornered |
