This was a real 3 x 3 x 3 (plus a 3 bonus) opener.  Before I explain what this all means, let me tell you, that the only real hunting area near my house is a state wildlife management area.  I generally get my share of pheasants from that area with an occasional bonus of woodcocks and possibly a ruffed grouse.

This year I was at Bolton Flats on Saturday at daybreak as were another 50 to 60 hunters looking forward to a rewarding day.  As soon as there was light we knew it was going to be difficult because the corn was still standing.  Not a single field had been harvested!

At exactly 7:05 AM we entered the gate and the dogs quickly disappeared into the corn.  It took a long time to get through the corn to the wet slough that is on the other side of the first field.  I believe the management area is about 2000 acres.  After the first couple of crazy minutes where dogs and hunters are falling over each other’s boots I disappeared into the woods where I could enjoy some space by myself.

I did not come upon any pheasants that morning but I did bring home 3 woodcocks (the daily limit).

Over the weekend we received between 8 and 13 inches of rain washing out the hunting grounds completely.  The management area is located between two rivers, Nashoba River and Still River, and their water level was at least 3 feet above normal levels.  There was obviously no hunting the whole next week.

On the following Friday I had a business trip to Vermont so I decided to combine business with pleasure.  Early in the morning I loaded the car with 3 dogs and all the paraphernalia that we all carry around when we go hunting.

Friday afternoon I got in about 90 minutes of hunting and ended up with 3 woodcocks and one grouse.

The next day I hunted with Phil Thayer, one of my NAVHDA judge friends, who now resides in Northern Vermont.  This Saturday the weather was sparkling and we hunted the beautiful mountains around Fairfax and Fairfield.  These mountains used to be partially farmed, but due to the hardship experienced by the mountain farmers, the farmsteads were eventually disbanded.  There are plenty of old stone walls as reminders of all the hard work these people endured.  The small fields they carved out of the mountains are now overgrown with poplars (aspen), dogwood, beech, cedar, maple and an assortment of other trees and bushes.  Old apple trees are also found near the remaining foundations of long gone buildings.

The wetter parts of these areas are generally good for woodcock;  the apple trees and the more densely wooded areas are often where the grouse can be found.  Saturday's bag was 3 woodcocks and we only heard the wing beats of fast flying grouse.

You may by now have guessed that the 3 x 3 x 3 meant that I hunted for 3 days, got 3 woodcocks every day and that I used 3 dogs.  The dogs were used sequentially, first my ten-year old girl Breezy (Cowichan Bay Dromas, NA 107 Prize II) and then the two young boys Felix (Peto's Felix, NA 107 Prize II) and Appi (Uldjydens Andy , NA 112, Eval.).  The bonus "3" came because Phil was also able to shoot 3 woodcocks on Saturday over my dogs.

I couldn't have asked for a better start of the season.  All three dogs worked very well.  Phil, who is a Brittany breeder and trainer as well, was very impressed.  Phil had earlier had visits by hunters from Maine and New Jersey and he expressed before I said good-bye that these Small Munsterlanders were the best visiting dogs he had hunted over.  I am certainly blessed with a lot of "dog-power."