Ok so after the Christmas crazy, I finally uploaded our pics from a wicked hunt on dec16th. We brought out a buddy and we all had a blast. I must say now that I've got the hang of the little 20ga I'm hanging in there with the boys!

The shooting was amazing so I didn't get too many action shots of us or the dogs working, but the experience will probably stay with us all forever.

I was amazed also by the sportsmanship that a few other hunters showed, as we all shared the river and worked together. That made it all the better.

We were mainly jump shooting the ducks, but also both parties were pushing the ducks up and down river for eachother.

Dozer got his first retrieve in and did very well for a little guy. Pocket was amazing and made leaps and bounds with that many birds to get. I am now confident that with a little winter training I can have her out trialing and testing in the spring.

We also snuck up on some geese hanging out on the river for an afternoon swim with the help of some other hunters on the other side of the river. I hung back with Pocket and let the big guns shoot. All I can say is holy crap geese are huge!! One big honker fell only 10ft from me and almost smushed me! It was longer than Pocket, she still picked it up but damn I felt so bad for her that I took it and hauled it over my shoulder to the boys (so I guess I got my first goose retrieve too....:rollin ). The other goose was only crippled as when we went to where it fell there was only a crash pad and some blood. So we fanned out and started looking for it. After a few minutes up pops this big goose with it's wing all gibbled, and it starts running away! Before the guys could shoulder their guns Pocket took off after it, practically jumped on it's back, barrel rolled it, gave the neck a little shake and then brings it back to us alive! We couldn't believe it! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. She was so pumped, I think she thought she won the lottery. I called the breeder to tell her about it, and she said if Pocket did anything less she wouldn't be a good Chesapeake, so good for her, but we are still awed by it.

We ended up going all day with a break for lunch, and came home with 2 geese and 13 ducks. A mallard drake and a pile of goldeneyes. Needless to say the holiday goose roast, and some duck suppers have us full!

Hope everyone's holidays were great and I have a countdown going until the spring snow goose hunt. Until then rabbits and yotes will have to do. Enjoy!