Finally, the too-long “staycation” at the local hospital and culinary arts trauma center is over … leaving me weaker, behind the work eight-ball, but cancer-free and more than motivated to get into the field! I just hope Buddy remembers some of the skills we were working on.
[Insert stern warning: over fifty? Get a colonoscopy.]
Missed the NAVHDA UT test, which might have been a blessing in disguise considering our progress (or lack of). But those tests are definitely the best way to get a versatile dog ready for hunting season. Meanwhile, plans progress for the Awesome Upland Road Trip: gear is stacked, Ultimate Upland Checklist checked and double-checked, thanks to my wife Buddy is still in great shape, and while my legs are not ready yet, my heart and head are.
Doc says pheasants are just the ticket for early post-op hunting: flat land and easy walking. So with a bit of warm up enroute, looks like South Dakota is an even better starting point. See you at the Governor’s Invitational Hunt!
I’ll be the one in the Irish Setter boots & apparel with the Tri-Tronics collar on my wirehair.
(PS: First drawing for great Irish Setter gear is next week. Enter your comment in the post, below.)
Scott Linden Outdoors 
first place to try out those new boots would be down to the river and try and pick up some nice fall walleye . then as things get colder here in the great state of iowa i would move on to hunt the awesome rooster pheasant . thanks tim g. size 11 .
I would wear the new boots on a upcoming DYI hunt for elk & mule deer near Craig Colorado,(the area is called “The deer factory”)the weather is never predictable sunny one day snow the next sometimes rain (give it 15 min it will change),I know the Redwings can handel any weather I have worn them for work & play for years!The most comfotable boots made!IMHO……..Jim..PS sz 13 if Im the lucky guy.
Scott: Nice to hear you’re back up and moving properly. The most important piece of gear, besides the dog of course, is the human body. It’s good advice to keep it properly tuned up, too.
Don’t worry about the drawing, you can just send the boots to my house… size 10.5, please.
Safe travels.
Andrew