![A Love Affair in Plain Sight](https://cdn.magzter.com/1409082599/1663951110/articles/ayaC2rkK61665040864955/A-LOVE-AFFAIR-IN-PLAIN-SIGHT.jpg)
My friend Scot, a photojournalist, and I often cooperated in producing content for his outdoor sports segment of the Thursday evening news. Our professional relationship was mutually beneficial. Scot generated programming for his time slot, and I, as the local game warden, enjoyed the privilege of informing the public about wildlife conservation matters.
Pheasant stocking was part of my job and of particular interest to my video camera-toting friend who loved to chase the long-tailed birds with an elegant female English setter named Abby. Scot’s pheasant-release videos were rich in ringnecked pheasant natural history, spiced with lots of action. They often included bloopers of roosters scratching blood from my hands and arms or flogging me with a blur of wings and, not uncommonly, pooping on my uniform and hat.
While on duty, I often watched pheasant hunters pursuing the newly stocked birds. My first observation of young Abby working pheasants was pleasantly fascinating. A broad weed field rose steeply from my concealed location in a dilapidated barn, offering a ringside seat. Completely white, save for a half-black face mask, Abby seemed to float elegantly about the dense grasses.
Her progress was purposeful and guided by a highly discerning nose for birds. Years of upland hunting experience with pointing dogs enhanced my pleasure of watching this pup perform like a seasoned pro.
I cherish the memory of meeting Abby following their hunt. Her ultra-friendly spirit matched her beauty, and a seductive message of J want to be your friend flashed about her eyes. It was a love-at-first-sight experience. Her field performance was so enthralling that I requested the privilege of photographing her in action. Wow!
Denne historien er fra Winter 2022-utgaven av The Upland Almanac.
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Denne historien er fra Winter 2022-utgaven av The Upland Almanac.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Tailfeathers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/CUbFfK6X_1723628574370/TAILFEATHERS.jpg)
Tailfeathers
The essence of fly fishing, I think I've decided, is time.
![Ten Questions with Tim Flagler, Fly Tyer/Cook Extraordinaire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/Cy2kZQTXN1723628280689/TEN-QUESTIONS-WITH-TIM-FLAGLER-FLY-TYERCOOK-EXTRAORDINAIRE.jpg)
Ten Questions with Tim Flagler, Fly Tyer/Cook Extraordinaire
Culinary Creations from Gordon Hamersley
![GREY on the Wing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/vH4BisIr61723627742625/GREY-ON-THE-WING.jpg)
GREY on the Wing
Hands clutching the wheel of a large, lumbering vehicle whose vintage and purpose partially prompted the invention of \"powering steering,\" disengaged the clutch and applied the brakes, bringing it to a stop.
![James Purdey & Sons Ltd.One of London's "Best"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/2iiHtftrq1723627559743/JAMES-PURDEY-SONS-LTDONE-OF-LONDONS-BEST.jpg)
James Purdey & Sons Ltd.One of London's "Best"
At the conclusion of a recent breakfast meeting of the Shrewsbury Men's Club of Massachusetts, I was packing up my show-and-tell aids after giving a presentation.
![WAWAWAI](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/YhuSF0afh1723627325222/WAWAWAI.jpg)
WAWAWAI
I don't chase chukars anymore, but from the time I was 16, chukar hunting had been my favorite bird hunting endeavor.
![A FAIR EXCHANGE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/Rw2Bvrrkc1723627050142/A-FAIR-EXCHANGE.jpg)
A FAIR EXCHANGE
Among the concerns faced by many small community gun clubs here in the Northeast is our inability to attract and maintain new and younger shooters.
![Coming to Heel](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/XmtA6RwJO1723626830675/COMING-TO-HEEL.jpg)
Coming to Heel
I'n the world of gun dogs, it's not unusual that retrievers are taught to heel.
![Bird Dogs - Health Matters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/-nM7XpITF1723626599895/BIRD-DOGS-HEALTH-MATTERS.jpg)
Bird Dogs - Health Matters
Avoiding Medical Mishaps on the Road
![MATT HART](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1798214/iKD2plnwK1723626175684/MATT-HART.jpg)
MATT HART
Matt Hart, owner, designer and artist of Hartist Metals, is a highly skilled metal sculptor based in the picturesque Catskill Mountains of New York.
![Luigi Franchi Imperial Monte Carlo Extra: One of Italy's "Best" SxS Doubles](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7434/1351870/0SAiBgwJa1690522419485/LUIGI-FRANCHI-IMPERIAL-MONTE-CARLO-EXTRA-ONE-OF-ITALYS-BEST-SXS-DOUBLES.jpg)
Luigi Franchi Imperial Monte Carlo Extra: One of Italy's "Best" SxS Doubles
As on London’s gun-maker’s row, Italians had skilled craftsmen who made “Best” guns of superb quality