Matthew Olan w/ the Benelli Montefeltro, Jan. 2008  

                                                                               (Alaska Smokejumpers, 1997 - Present)  

2008 - 2009 Quail Season:

Oct. 3, 2008 - Feb. 8, 2009 Gambel's & Scaled

Nov. 28, 2008 - Feb. 8, 2009 Mearn's

My friend, Bob Stevens, guides on the San Carlos for both big and small game. Ph: 928-475-5717

Arizona Game & Fish Dept.
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Feb. 20, 2008  More RAIN last week and again coming in today and Friday.  Desert looking like Ireland in some spots.  Greening up really nice. Heard first mating caw calls down in Casa Grande and Florence last weekend.  Birds should be pairing up as the weather warms.

Good news about my Ben.  The lump on his throat was benign.  He's on a 10 day antibiotic regime.  He's perking right up and feeling much better.  Don't know if vet will have to lance it, but at this point Ben looks good for many more quail hikes.  I'm thrilled.  Ben is my FIRST French Britt.  Lots of memories.

March 4, 2008  High Sonoran desert is greening nicely.  We have high hopes for a Gamble's mini-rebound.  It would take 2-3 wet winters in a row for a true rebound.  But at least the mating calls have started.

April 12, 2008  We have heard male mating calls now for over 5-6 weeks in Globe and over 2 months in Florence areas.  Birds paired for weeks.  Am expecting to see hatches in mid-May.  Spring flowers in the desert were spectacular. Roosevelt Lake is now at 98% full.  Historic. And this after a La Nina winter.  Go figure. 

Lower desert now is drying up.  All the green is turning brown. Good summer monsoons now will partially determine survivability of chicks.  Will keep my eye out for young coveys and post reports here.  Many of our cacti are just starting their blooming cycles. Hedgehogs, prickly pear, barrels, saguaros, staghorns. . . . should have good fruit production after soaking up the winter's moisture. 

Have not seen any herps in any of my hikes.  But it was about this time last year that my Max got hit with a rattler bite.  Ugly.  This week should be in the 90's in Phoenix area, so the snakes will be out in force. And most shed their skins now and are hungry, so they are very irritable, aggressive, and vulnerable as their eyes cloud over during that time. Believe me, I'm much more conscience of those critters after last year's debacle.

My Ben is over his lump crisis, but still not maintaining his weight very well.  Has aged quickly since losing his eye a couple of years ago.  Still has the desire, but may not get to hunt him much next season.  His litter mate, Duff, is much healthier.  Rusty and Max are in their prime.  Ah yes, anticipation.  Can't wait to hike the hills behind those beautiful Britts.  Clean the little 20's again. Practice mounting and swinging. Load some AA's with 7/8 oz of size 7's.  It's only 5 months away!!

May 7, 2008  No precipitation since Feb. High Sonoran desert is now very dry.  Lots of wind the last few weeks.  Fire danger extreme.  Male Gambel's still sounding off with mating calls.  No little hatchlings yet.  Soon.  HAS to be soon.  Still guessing mid to late May for clutches to pop with little walnuts with wings.

Gambel's starting a week earlier this year.  Oct. 3rd is first Friday in October.  Traditionally has been the second Oct.  Will be WAY too hot. For hunters and dogs.

A mistake to move it forward I'm thinking.   See you in the hills with my Britts.

May 21, 2008  No hatchlings! Seems late to not see any babies!  Still hearing caw calls from the males.  The birds HAVE to be on nests.  Can't believe at this late date that they are not.  Low front with good chance of some rain this week.  Up until this week when it got hot, this has been a very cool, windy spring. Strange time of year to get the showers, but we'll take it anytime. Grasshoppers were in abundance on my last hike with the Britts.   A good sign for the babies -- when we ever get them. . . . . .

June 13, 2008  Still seeing VERY few young birds.  Has been a mystery that everything is so late.  Several have asked about my experience with Max and his snakebite.  And what I concluded or what I plan to do this season about possible snakebites.

Background and Conclusion:  My Max was struck last spring.  It was ugly.  Many of you saw the photos.

Here's what I learned about snake vaccines and anti-venin from that experience.

Max had an original vaccine, then one month later a second.  Then again in about 8 months.  So. . . . the vet recommended we not give the anit-venin.  The vaccine should've taken care of it.  And would eliminate the need for the ~$500 shot.  Mistake.  Make that two mistakes.

The producers of the vaccine now recommend AT LEAST two vaccines per year for dogs who live in desert climates.  I understand they are finding that only one per year just does not provide enough protection.  Interesting, because I thought the dogs would build up their anti-bodies and would then not need any more vaccines.
As more data comes in, the producers are hedging their bets it appears.  New recommendations on that from your vet would be good.
So. . . my poor Max fought his way through without enough vaccine protection, and with no anti-venin.
Bad, bad mistake.  And, yes, he is fine.  His right jowel still has some loose skin, but he is hunting back with vigor and enthusiasm.

My conclusion:  I cannot afford a $50 (or more) vaccine shot for four Britts twice a year.
And they might STILL need a costly antivenin shot.

So. . . if I have the misfortune of another snake episode, I will head out to the nearest vet and insist on an anti-venin shot and pain medications.  I now have a CASE of saline solution that I will give subcutaneously (the vet should give the first one) as necessary -- in case of swelling, the dog will not, or cannot drink fluids. In fact, if you lose a dog, that will be the cause I'm guessing. As one bag of saline solution is absorbed, I will give continue giving more until he starts drinking on his own. 

July 2, 2008  Put my Ben to sleep today.  We had 12 years of beautiful memories together!!  Dogs just don't live long enough!!  He was my best Mearn's dog and needed almost no training at all to honor and back.  My first Frenchy.  Jeesh I'll miss that guy.  The Corley Kennel is down to 3 French Britts now.  Talk about losing an old friend.  Man.  I still have his genes in Max.  In a couple of years, I'll be looking for a good female to keep that line alive and well.  Heavy sigh.

 

Some Favorite Quotes:
"You don't go out to kill something, you go out to hunt it, to be there.  To be the predator, with every sense sharpened."

"Dogs are our link to paradise.  They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent.  To sit with a dog on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden."

                                                   

                                                                             The high Sonoran desert and the Britts, Feb., 2007


In Memory of Jackson Butte, 1995 - 2005

 

For Sale:

9121 N. Belair Rd., Casa Grande, Az.

Planning a move to Arizona?  Want to live in the middle of desert bird country? Looking for a second "winter" home?

Details, more information, and more photos:  9121 N. Belair Rd.


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