Seems like forEVER since I was able to post about a hunt.  Sadie has been giving me "that look".  You know - "Seems to be getting a little colder out, Dad, and...  you know... water doesn't suit jumping any more...  'specially with the dock out and all...  So... you think... maybe....  birds?"

I mentioned the "b"-word once two-days ago, and she almost maulled me!

Been working with a frozen bird from last year, that is about ready to be tossed (lost a number of important "limbs" due to frost-bite - tail feathers, wings, head...).  She is 100% on it, though.  She holds it with a look of dis-dain.

Why are GSPs so...  Weird...  gotta love 'em.

Anyways, Sunday is the first hunt of the season.  Taking my Dad out.  I will post any pics/video worth posting early next week!

Did alright.  Sadie put-up 17 birds, but our shooting was TERRIBLE (also may have been the 7 1/4 shot shells I was shooting - leftover from the Quail Training).  Liked the way that the Hat Camera worked - hope you do too.  I edited the video a bit, so I hope you like that too.  It does contain some graphic kill-shots, so be aware (if you are in the Hunting Area of the Forum, I am guessing this won't offend you).  Once again - fun with Windows Live Movie Editor (hope you enjoy it):

We got 5 - 4 roosters, and a hen.  Sadie was solid, with the exception of some messy retrieves.  She seemed to have some issues grasping the birds.  All-in-all, not too shaby, though for the first hunt of her second year!

One last picture worth posting.  Dad and Dog...  Getting back out this weekend, so I will post shortly with more!

Posted By smatulewicz on 11/05/2012 7:20 PM
Looks great. Enjoyed the video. Going to show my husband when he comes in from his man cave " align="absMiddle" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/smile.gif" /> I worried Bella was moving too fast, but looks like her pace is OK. We need to work on getting her to stay on scent and hold her position on them. This year we just wanted to get her out, get her used to the gun, let her retrieve (which is LOVES and does great - wants to get it out of her mouth asap though because she knows she can't bite into them lol). Hopefully in the next season or two she'll look as great as Sadie out there!

What type of vest are you using? Last outing, Bella's rubbed near the creases at her front legs. We have yet to find a solid vest that fits her deep chest and everything else soundly. Hubby came home with yet another today that he bought downstate that isn't going to work out.

Sounds to me like you have a good working relationship with Bella  Keep getting her out she knows the game

 I use a generic, Cheap-O Cabela's vest (www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Cool-Mesh-Upland-Vest/750741.uts .  I put just a Remington Orange vest on Sadie (www.amazon.com/Remington-Safety-Vests-Orange-Yellow/dp/B000HTLKJE)- it wraps around her mid-section, and around her collar, and just covers her back to increase her visibility in the field.  I used to use a skid-plate on my other dog, but I found that I got just as much irritation on her by her legs and what-not as I did on her chest/stomach.  IMO it is better to run the dog more often in high grass to build calouses to the rubbing.  Same would hold true if you want to use a skid-plate vest (which I can see if you hunt in a lot of birars, and thorns).

Hope that helps!  Have fun!

GoPro is one way to go - I was looking into that.  Actually, the camera I shot these with was a Sony point-and-shoot (like a W350(?)).  I mounted it to the brim of my hat with a 1/4-20 thumb-screw (same as a tripod mount) that I bought at Menards for about $3.  Simple, and effective (and cheap!).