My lab, of course, was a flushing dog like the springer. There was no yelling and she knew what her job was. She worked close but you had to be ready for a running pheasant. I always found partridge were the hardest to consistently shoot. I let Dep get out ahead a little more than usual and the partridge wasn't too spooked and would hop off the ground and into a tree. As you know, seeing them before they see you, was a fatal mistake. We were ready for their escape. I loved watching my hunting partner swing his old Parker on a partridge.
I was fortunate enough and surprised to be asked to be the shooter for a casual friend for the NYS Field Competition Finals. Cordell was a master at training German Shorthairs and I shot with him a couple of times on Long Island in the Manorville area. Hoss was his dog for the competition and he was a brute of a shorthair. Both he and Cordell were all business. I remember the walk we went on before the event and Cordell was waiting for Hoss to make a mistake. He did a minor something and Cordell gave Hoss a little rap on his head with the leash loop. Cordell said it was his piss and vinegar walk to show Hoss who was boss.
The NYS finals were being held in Brewster, NY. We were on horseback and the dogs were released to find the planted birds. Hunting on horseback was new to me. There were two dog owners and shooters in front of the gallery of judges. We lost Hoss and could not find him anywhere. A judge came up to Cordell and asked where Hoss was. Control of your dog was a must. Cordell said Hoss was on point. We were told if Hoss was found running around we would be disqualified. Sure enough, Hoss was found on point in heavy brush. I was very nervous as we dismounted for the flush, shot and retrieve. Up went a chuckar, a quick bang and down went the chuckar. My job was done and I became a spectator. Hoss made a great retrieve as he smashed his way through heavy brush. For the rest of the hunt, Hoss stayed in sight and we dropped a pheasant with a nice retrieve. The other dog finally went on his first point and Hoss immediately locked it up while honoring the point of the other dog. That earned us a tie for the finals.
The shoot off was in a field about the size of a football field with just knee high brush. A gallery was watching from the side lines. Cordell and I along with the other team were at one end with the dogs. They blew a whistle and the dogs were released. Hoss was out in front and went on point first. The other dog honored the point like she was a statue. It was beautiful to see as she stood frozen 20' from Hoss. Cordell and I went up towards Hoss and the bird flushed. I dropped it and Hoss made the easy retrieve. We were replaced at the far end of the field again and both dogs were released. This time the dog went on point. Hoss locked it up to honor the point. His left paw was in the air. Before the bird was shot, Hoss slowly lowered his left paw to the ground. Cordell looked over at me and said we lost. That simple lowering of his paw cost us a chance at winning the NYS Finals and we came in second. It was an amazing experience for me.
