I hunted pheasants more than 50 days this year. Mostly on western WA release sites, and about 8 days on wild birds. For me it’s all about watching Tye when he slams on the brakes and goes on point, or more often shifts from trot to full on run. That’s when my adrenaline level rockets. When a rooster cackles and hits the sky, life is awesome.

For me the highlight this year was a hunt with Broodbuster in Eastern WA. Tye got on a rooster and tracked/chased it more than 100 yards. Borrdbuster ran and cut it off and the wily old rooster finally flushed. We both missed our first shot then both hit with our second.

Number two was a rooster than fell in a half frozen pond. Tye crashed thru the ice and swam to the wounded bird. But then couldn’t get back up on the thin ice. I had to run all the way around the pond to get to the side with open water to call him to me. He came back with the bird. I like to think we were both proud.

Short answer - It’s all about watching my dog doing what he was bred to do.