Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Sweeter Than Candy

I moved to small town Bluff Country from the Big City almost some fifty years ago. Here, in southeastern Minnesota, I began a teaching career, married and helped raise a family. It was and is the good life. Living in the country brought the opportunity to have my first dog. He was what today would be called a "designer" dog. Then he was called a mutt. He was half Golden Retriever and half German Shorthair Pointer. His name was Max. He looked like the Marley of movie fame.
Unbeknowst to me at the time he would turn out to be the perfect bird dog. I took up the sport and pursued it for decades. Max was followed by two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. My sons also came to enjoy hunting.
I gave up hunting several years ago now. My sons were grown up and gone, with sloughs ditched and drained, a bad knee and No Trespassing everywhere, it seemed the right time. Missing the loyal companionship of my hunting dogs, I went in a new direction and got a German Shepherd, Baron. Now, I’m into long walks with him, my binoculars and camera in hand. Still hunting birds though in a different way now.
Thus, it was with great pleasure to open a package sent to me by EcoRover (Pat Munday) and find a book by Paul Vang, Sweeter Than Candy. Sweet it proved to be. It was if I was transported back in time to those wonderful years of tramping the prairies, picked fields and along fence lines. Jump shooting along small creeks for ducks and the occasional goose. Then, there were the oak woods and brushy bottoms. The aspen bottoms, where the elusive grouse wereto be found. What a trip down memory lane as each chapter seemed to trigger a smile and even some chuckles about all the birds I missed. If you liked bird hunting you’ll love this book. I highly recommend it.

16 comments:

  1. What a nice surprise in the mail for you! Is that you in the photo?

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  2. Isn't it great to get surprises in the mail? Lucky you!!!!!

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  3. What a thoughtful gift! Nothing beats a good dog.

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  4. As I've never hunted, I cannot appreciate what you fondly remember. I am so happy you received such a thoughtful and well appreciated book!

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  5. Lots of fun in that read it sounds like.

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  6. My son-in-law grew up bird hunting with his dad and brothers and an amazing dog. Now he lives with four cats and his mother-in-law! Sounds like a good read and what a neat treat (or sweet treat) for you!

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  7. I've been taking frequent trips down memory lane this winter. I'm going through my mother's old photographs and my side trips down memory lane are slowing me down quite a bit. And it's a wonderful kind of slow.

    I loved the photograph. Hope the bird tasted as good as it looked.

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  8. Thanks for the great review of my book. If you're interested, you can learn more at my website at http://writingoutdoors.com. You can order directly from me. The Kindle version is available at Amazon.com.

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  9. Glad you liked Paul's book! That is one great photograph of the kid (your son, I'm assuming) with the side-by-side and the ringneck.

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  10. It is a sweet gift that can take us to our happy times. Since my childhood and some grizzley hunting attempts on my part, I have always hunted with binoculars or camera. However it is the being in the woods or field and the stalking that is so freeing.

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  11. I like your new form of 'hunting' much better my friend. Cameras and binoculars ~ yup ~ much better. Of course, a good dog by your side is always an extra bonus. ;)

    Happy Friday!
    xo Catherine

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  12. Sweet memories. It sounds like it was a great time in your life.

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  13. I hunt only with my camera now..and a good dog no matter if they are a mutt or not by your side..well that is just about the best "hunting" companion I have found:)

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  14. I wish you wonderful times with your German Shepard. It sounds like you have wonderful memories.... I hunt with my camera;-)

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  15. I didn't know there was anything sweeter than candy. ha-ha Walking in the woods is mighty sweet, that's for sure.

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  16. I prefer watching to hunting, but the book sounds interesting.
    Hunting and fishing are great ways to bond with kids. My husband and sons did some of both.

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