The 6th Annual First Pheasant Mentor Hunt took place on Saturday, September 28 at the venerable Rump’s River Retreat on the Blue Ribbon of the Bow River under sunny blue skies and warm fall weather – a near perfect day at the perfect location.
Twelve folks that had never hunted pheasants – all got shots at their first birds over highly trained pointing dogs and all but 2 got their first bird.
Each hunt session featured two mentees with a mentor and a dog handler and six rooster pheasants. Half of the 40 birds were bagged, cleaned and went home with the mentees for cooking.
Aside from the hunt, the attendees were provided a seminar on the history and hunting of upland gamebirds in southern Alberta, a cleaning seminar (followed by everyone cleaning their birds) and a cooking seminar.
Dave Scott led a shooting clinic designed for upland bird wing shooting.
Thanks to Mike and Rodney Perkins, Chris MacLean and Brian Ness for mentoring the hunts and thanks to Vince Aiello, Kimberley Meyer and Steven Wier for handling the master pointers. Thanks also to Neil and Terri Bass for all of their support in organizing the day.
A special thanks to Glen Rumpel who supported us with the use of his land and buildings and everything we needed. His helpful demeanour made it a most welcoming environment for all participants.
Thanks also to Alberta Conservation Association for supplying the birds.
