Two years ago this buck was a nice young 10 pt. Last year he broke off his right side right outside the G2. I knew he had made it through when I saw him in January so rutted down I thought he might not survive. Going into this year this was the only pic we had of him. Just passing through in the middle of the night.



During bow season I saw him locked up with an 8 pt about 75 yards from the tree stand. It was a heck of a show. I learned that day that my game cam needs to be turned the other way. Most bucks are walking right behind it. I finally got a look at him on Sun afternoon on opening rifle weekend. I haven't pulled the trigger on opening weekend in 10 years, but I knew he was the one I was after so I didn't overthink it like I normally do. I got really lucky. He is no wall hanger, but he is a mature buck (for our area) and that is what I'm after.



I noticed our camp pond had a good number of ducks on it so my son and I went back the next weekend. I've never seen that many duck, 500+, work into a 4 acre pond. Ended up with a bull can and a sprig on opening morning. My son shot better than most folks my age that I know and Rosie did a great job doing her thing, too.



Mid week I went out with a buddy to duck hunt public water. He had to leave by 8 so it was cut short, but ended up with another bull can and sprig.



Last weekend I went up to NW Kansas. I've been working with Rosie a lot and even have trained her with pen raised pheasant, but you never know how things are going to go. She hit it like a seasoned veteran. Pointed her first rooster on our first walk. Luckily Dad didn't miss the shot on the flush.



The next day we bumped into a couple of covey of bobs. She did her job again!



I'm not a pessimist, but I'm thinking the season might be downhill from here.

Good read and pics!

Congrats on the buck and the birds all you are missing is a mess of fish Rosie is a pretty gal

Nice buck, congrats!

A good start is an understatement, well done and a fine looking pup.

I'd hang that deer on my wall ! Nice,,,congrats, great pics too.

Nice images and stories!

Congrats!

Awesome start....going to be hard to keep this up LC

Congrats!

Awesome start to season, that dog is living the dream. That dog can probably help you some how with the dear hunting.