Chukar season ends; only 8 months to recover

HUNTING — The d og is fed and sleeping like a bear in winter. Wife is concerned about dog’s scrapes and cactus spines in foot, but doesn’t notice her husband’s bloody elbow and slight limp.

Browning Citori cleaned, oiled. Hunting clothes are in the laundry hamper. Birds are dressed, brining and ready to cook tomorrow. Bottle of red wine is on the table….

I had a bittersweet outing on the Snake River today to end the season for cliff-dwelling chukars. Despite snow, steep slippery slopes, cold and wind, my English setter, Scout, and I both hated to come down out of the canyon.