The Upland Almanac - Spring 2023

Upland Chef

CULINARY CREATIONS FROM GORDON HAMERSLEY

SEASON'S END: A RETROSPECT AND BENEDICTION

The close of bird season – no matter where it occurs or what species you consider your favorite game or primary wing shooting obsession – always brings a corresponding period of emotional downturn.

Sixty-some Years Later

I began hunting birds as a sophomore in high school in 1961. I’m still at it, concentrating mostly now on pheasants and quail. A couple years back, I attempted another chukar hunt in the Snake River canyons of Washington State, “for old time’s sake,” but sadly noted afterwards that while stepping on my tongue as I plodded uphill with an arthritic, reconstructed hip was painful, the agony in my knees on the downhill run to my vehicle was worse. The greatest pain came from having to admit that hunting wild chukars was something I would never do again.

A Good Dog Is Necessary to Hunt Maine Pheasants

Some Are Tame and Some Are Wild

Along the Trail of the Swamp Fox: Hunting Woodcock in South Carolina

In the movie The Patriot starring Mel Gibson, the lead character retreats to the swamps of South Carolina to avoid the pursuing redcoats. These swamps are a veritable no man’s land full of palmetto, cane and greenbrier that will test any man’s mettle. If someone wanted to elude his adversaries, there’s no better place.

Birds from a Blind: Another Way to \"Hunt\"

As a wildlife photographer, I can often get some frame-filling images simply by slowly walking in a wildlife area or even slowly driving the back roads and taking images out of my vehicle, but many times it is better to be in a photo blind in areas I expect the birds to be. Sometimes I will set up my own blind, but in certain areas, you can reserve one from a wildlife organization or state/federal agencies that have set them up on leks.

Bird Dogs Health Matters

Dr. SHAWN WAYMENT

Flushes & Noteworthy Points

Pending Legislation Threatens "World-leading and Highly Successful Wildlife Conservation Model"

GOODBYE TO ALL THAT: LAST OHIO GROUSE

Sometimes what flies around the bend comes back again. In this magazine's Autumn 2022 issue, my subject was keeping a hunting journal, which I had done religiously for the previous 50 years.

Tailfeathers

Circling