So I took my 3 boys out for the youth opener up at the Sammish unit (Skagit Co) for the youth pheasant hunt. My oldest, 12 years old, was hunting for his 3rd year in a row, my 10 year old was hunting for his 2nd year in a row and my 8 yr old came along for the fun, as usual. He gets to take hunter's ed next spring and can't wait. My wife was packing the camera for this hunt.
This was the first time we had ever hunted the Sammish Unit, as we used to hunt Smith Farm in Stanwood but it's closed this year. The area was nice and open and there were about 20+ kids out for the hunt.
Starting off from the parking lot...
Waiting for the opening bell. I don't know who was more excited...me, the boys or the dog.
...and we were off.
My 12 yr old with his 20 ga Rossi single shot
My 10 yr old, keeping the line
The area was great and it didn't feel crowded at all, which can be a nice change if you've hunted the release sites before.
Our lab "Millie" got hot near these blackberry bushes, which is a favorite hidy hole for the birds. A hen and a rooster busted out at the end of the blackberries at the same time. My 10 yr old drew first blood, folding the rooster cleanly with one shot from his 20 ga!
Ahhh, the satisfaction of holding that beautiful rooster!
A well earned drink of water...
Nothing like the weight of success.
A short time later, another rooster tried to make his escape to the air next to my 12 yr old, who swung on the bird, squeezed the trigger and made a great shot! Bird number 2.
Two other birds were shot at but narrowly missed and finally out of water, we decided to call it a morning.
Heading back to the truck.
Great day!!
