Ainsworth Training Report - July 21 - July 27

AINSWORTH – 2008


Thursday, July 24

I had to take a business trip to Hawaii on Friday before departure and didn't get home until Wednesday morning – totally jet lagged! Linda and Luke had really put things together and they had us pretty well ready for camp. We had Ed Lierman coming with and he was hauling the ATV so it saved Lee & Stan from having to make an extra trip. Save some of that precious fuel we all are complaining about. At least they've dropped a few cents this week.

Got out at 1:00 PM and made it to Ft. Dodge about 7pm. Went to the Best Western on Hwy. 169 north of town – very good spot – grass next to a gravel lot for dogs. Nice restaurant and a very nice indoors pool facility. Owen and I planned on jumping in but we couldn't dig out our swimsuits but we'll be ready next time. Very cool travel day.

Friday, July 25 Got up early and made the trip – cool early but warmed significantly when we hit Nebraska and mid 80's by the time we hit Ainsworth. Still looked the same except for a new Pamida store ( small discount store) and then we hit the gravel to camp. Got to the old hog farm and WOW!!!!! A brand new, state of the art swine operation. We later found out $16,000,000 to build with several hundred acres of sandhill corn planted with new pivots – sure changed the look of the area. Going to start operations in a couple of weeks - - unbelievable.

Into camp about 2:00 and plenty to do. Haying is late but Roger and Jason got some mowing done around camp and Jason got out a bunch of barrels and set them up. Otherwise we just started at projects one at a time. Hurried up and got horses out, then started with the dogs. Went in the house and saw Jason's note – don't put horses in the big pen – too much debris around the building and fences down. Oh well, went down and our horses had already figured it out – they were south in the next section – having a good time. I tried to lock them in there and moved Ed L.'s horses into one of the smaller
pens.

We got everybody settled and had some sandwiches for dinner and everyone crashed early. About 4:30 am the dogs went ballistic and I looked out the window just to see our 4 horses going through camp heading for Sidell's field where they stayed until 7:30 am when they came back to camp. We caught them this time and got them put away. At lease they didn't leave like Bonnie's and Dennis's did a couple of summers ago.

Saturday, July 26 – woke up – dogs a bit more noisy but not too bad. No rain and just a peaceful morning. A day of chores – just the simple ones – need to have the hay mowed before we work on the Johnnie houses. Took a ride in the afternoon to check things out and visited with Mike Hitchcock and his daughter. All set to work dogs at his place – lakes up a bit – that's good now – it was a bit too low the last couple of years.

Birds will start arriving on Tuesday so we have some time to get them ready. Heat on the rise. Roger down in the afternoon making hay. He raked the yard and camp was looking more like camp. Spots for dogs are a bit limited as the pines continue to grow and it's really impossible to get inside except in a few places. The outside edge is nice and shady though so it has it's benefits.

Saturday night – had a great dinner of marinated chicken and special pasta – just good. Everyone starting to relax.

Sunday, June 27 – cool to start the morning. We got horses and saddled and moving by 8:00 am –pretty good for the 1st day.

Hills:

• Brie & Karma - got off at Triple Gates with Karma a STB almost on a single chicken w/Brie a command back. Onward a NP by Brie w/birds flushed after we sent her on – quite a ways in front. STF for Karma and manners better. Karma the more pop at the end but both did a nice forward job of hunting with the edge to Karma. 25 min. 4 chickens – all singles – mature birds.

• Glory & Ernie – Ernie started off very big and front – reaching distant objectives Glory more front not quite as big. Very nice way of going – Ernie looked good to about 15 and then flattened out ( he was a big sick on the trip) Glory still popping. Ernie stopped to relieve himself and a 8-10 sharptails left to his front – whoa'd him and fired – taking him on—I don't know what you'd call it a STS—probly. Got them to water at 19 and Ernie picked up and finished strongly. 1 bunch plus 2 or 3 singles. 25 min.


• Clifford & Amos – a little bump to start but onward and Amos showing a nice way of going – Clifford a bit short but hunting and moving well – object is to get him used to water – had a bad young dog experience. Amos showed moments of greatness and then let downs – not a consistant race. 3 birds sighted but no dogs around – Clifford working the water's edge jumped along the side to chase a duck – got him excited. 21 min.

The running was done – more chores – got ATV ready. Bob helped hay and we worked around camp. Ed Meyer showed mid-afternoon. Air conditioner out on his truck – not fun since it was 102 driving through the sandhills. Got the ' California cul de sac' set up and the pups up by the house – went smooth. Ed L. made a great fish dinner – trout and salmon plus some good wine – we're having fun now but it's hot and humid. Sure hope it breaks.