Scott Linden Outdoors

A patient patient. Soon, Manny, soon.

A hunting trip with a pup is a challenge. Making a hunting TV show while traveling with Flick is exponentially more challenging. Add a broken-toed Manny, and it’s a wonder my fantastic crew and our host Al Gadoury of 6X Outfitters didn’t run the other way as fast as they could.

A day afield quickly becomes a study in time and motion based on bladder capacity, bird distribution, quality of shooting light and did I say bladder capacity? The little guy holds most of the cards and we step-and-fetchit when he needs a potty break. But every day, the grace period is bigger and there is a bit more flexibility in our routine (such as it is).  Having strategically-located tie-out stakes, crates, leashes and chew toys is the key to maintaining some element of sanity. Plenty of caffeine helps.

One too young to hunt, and another too crippled up to hunt, so we relied on Al’s string, in unseasonally hot weather. A lot of circle routes back to the truck for water, new dogs, and to let Flick out to pee. The little guy wants to hunt, there is no doubt. He let us know he wanted to do what the big boys were doing with yelps and cries as we trudged away again.

Manny is being a good example, enduring his forced immobility with grace. A few hundred yards here and there keep him sane and strengthen his mending toe is all he gets – doctor’s orders. The rest of the time he is a steadying influence, sighing in the next crate and sending good wishes telepathically to the little one. Soon, you will both be in the field guys, I promise.

Oh, and we shot some sharptails and huns.