Updated: Feb 29, 2020
Labor Day weekend is over. I hope you took advantage of it. I spent the 72 hours celebrating the arrival of hunting season by attempting to pepper dove with a Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun and an inexperienced German Shorthaired Pointer.
I have to eliminate any hints of suspense and let you know most of the hours consisted of sitting in a field, beer in hand, looking at the sky, and attempting to keep my anxious dog at heel. But there were a few sparks.
The first was the surprise visit from a game warden. A figure of legend to most consistent hunters. Someone you hear about but never see. But I seem to be a magnet for them. This was my third run in with them in two seasons. A sign to grab a lottery ticket or take out a life insurance policy, I'm not sure.
I received a Class C citation for not having a plug in my pump shotgun. The plug limits the number of shells you can put in your gun. It was a crime of ignorance on my part. But ignorance isn't an excuse. I'll call the judge this week.
While it was a disappointing start, I still had hope for the day, and my dog. I've had my GSP for five years. I've done obedience training and as much "hunting" training as possible for someone with little to no access to proper resources. I even spent an unmentionable amount of money for professional boarding and training with dead end results. All in the name of me shooting a bird, and having Bella retrieve it, and bring it to me. No field trial ribbons or blood line tracking necessary. I had that simple goal. No, a wish. A romantic wish that I saw slowly drifting away with the passing of each season.
But it came true. It wasn't pretty or perfect. She was pacing in front of me like she had been all day. Unable to stand still, and unable to be quiet. With any movement or fire she would bark or whimper with anticipation. It was like all pieces of the puzzle were on the table and she was trying to put it together with every shot.
To her relief, and to that of my fellow hunters–who surely had to feel some sort of pity for the man with only a citation in his bag– I finally squared up a dove flying low coming across my face from left to right, I squeezed the trigger. Bella was already running towards the sound of the blast and met the bird as it hit the ground. She found it, sniffed it, and picked it up. I called her back and she started in. I left my chair and met her. She dropped the bird in front of me and revealed a wide grin as I patted her on the head.
Updated: Feb 29, 2020
I pulled back on the wine throttle this week. I'm getting married soon and found that putting the bottle down was an easy way to cut calories. But the show must go on to some extent. Here is the one wine I tried this week! See the video of the tasting here.
Wine: Montinore Estate Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Winery: Montinore Estate
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Grape Varietal: (100%) Pinot Noir
Source: Travis Heights Wine & Spirits
Price: $18.99
T&T Notes: I let a glass sit out for a few hours while I did house chores. The color was a faded or light ruby, with a thin appearance. It had the earthy smells you can expect from Pinot Noir, mushrooms, mulch, gravel. When tasting I got notes of plum, and ripe cherry. Along with an underlined earthy soil taste. It was a fine wine. But wouldn't get again near the $20 price point.
Tasting Notes is a series where readers can drink and share wine notes.
Updated: Feb 29, 2020
Here in the states our weekend is extended by one day this week. Monday is Labor Day. On this day we celebrate, according to Wikipedia "...the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the development, growth, endurance, strength, security, prosperity, productivity, laws, sustainability, persistence, structure, and well-being of the country."
This day will be much needed. Because opening day of dove season falls on this weekend too. It's the official start of the hunting season–some wives may not see their husbands until spring–and an extra morning of hunting and evening of relaxing will be exactly what the doctor ordered. Quick reminder. Make sure you have your hunting license, and if you have a dog, make sure you have plenty of water for them.
If you're not hunting this weekend I encourage you to golf if you golf. Or try your hand at cooking a brisket. Aaron Franklin has a great Master Class that I followed with decent results for a newbie.
None of the above fit your fancy? Let me know.
What's your weekend plan?