My son is in for Christmas and we were able to slip off with the dogs on Christmas Eve. Hunting with my son was like old times and is a blessing. He shoots good and my dogs love to run for him. Cricket is the 7 year old older dog. Moon is two. Their styles are different. Cricket is level headed around birds and seems to get everything he gets around pointed. Moon is the more athletic and his style is electric in the field. Both are a joy to walk behind and I truly enjoy their brace work.
My son and I cutting up before we put the dogs on the ground.

We hunted in the rain today so no pics except on the tailgate with each of our birds when we got back to the truck.
My son is 24. He and the dogs were still fresh as a daisy when we got back to the truck.

I on the other hand am 63. I am a little tired from navigating the wet thickets… A forester by profession, the woodcock is my favorite bird. Some birds beat the dog. Woodcock beat the gunner.

Mrs Smokey is in the kitchen baking us up
a woodcock pot pie!

Edit to add:


Merry Christmas!

That’s great!!!!

Congrats and thanks for posting this up!!

This is great, thanks for sharing Smokey!

Always great to hunt, especially with your son. Great pictures thanks for posting, love those dogs too

Good times with your son,thank you for sharing your hunt.

Beautiful thanks for sharing

Great pics. I need that recipe!

Looks like a great time. Mrs. Smokey is obviously 👍.

Yes sir she is.

Here you go, enjoy. Per Mrs. Smokey. She makes her own pie crust but everything else is same. Substitute whatever kind of game bird you have. Excellent with quail!