Getting there!

[Britsmoothy]

Getting reliable ignition now with the Beretta Beretta centennial but alas I failed to get a pheasant before the end of the season but did get squirrels.

One squirrel came down the tree still very alive and Jess gave chase but it slipped her soft mouth and made for down a hole. Jess went straight in after it and when I got there the dog was in so deep I couldnt see her! With a struggle she wriggled out with squirrel in mouth still alive. Jess soon ended it once on top.
Here is Jess, squirrel and hole.

Now, although I've succeeded in getting reliability that involves a little tamping of the butt on the ground I seem to struggle with wing shooting! I'm not sure what is going on just yet but at some point I'm going to have to do some testing.
Maybe under some pigeon coming to roost on a windy night i will learn more.

 

[Skychief]

".....I will learn more."

I have no doubt about that, friend.

The pheasants will be waiting!

Scratch Jess' ears a bit from me as reward for her excellent retrieval.

Thanks for sharing, Skychief.

 

[deermanok]

Good hunt.

 

[Kid Shelleen]

Jess kinda looks like she's laying a guilt trip on you. The picture is priceless. How old is she?

 

[Spikebuck]

Congrats, Brits. Nothing like a good dog/squirrel story. Glad she got it. Did she get bit? My dogs have had squirrels "hanging from their lips" on occasion!

 

[MountainSmoke]

Excellent! Always look forward to your adventures and I must say I can't help but smile every time I see Jess in action. Nice job you two!

 

[appalichian hunter]

Good job BESS, tell Brit next time kill em dead squirrels are mean little fellows especially when wounded and cornered.

 

[Old Timer 48]

Another great story! Your precious little hunting partner makes me smile every time! Looking forward to your next adventure.

 

[1950DAVE]

Good job Jess. Jess deserves a reward. You two make a great team.
Dave

 

[Britsmoothy]

Jess kinda looks like she's laying a guilt trip on you. The picture is priceless. How old is she?

Lol. She is, we think, 7-8yrs.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Congrats, Brits. Nothing like a good dog/squirrel story. Glad she got it. Did she get bit? My dogs have had squirrels "hanging from their lips" on occasion!

Yes she does get bit. For a hound cross terrier she is very soft mouthed. Rarely does she perform 'le crunch' before she gets bitten!

 

[Capnball]

Getting reliable ignition now with the Beretta Beretta centennial but alas I failed to get a pheasant before the end of the season but did get squirrels.
View attachment 61245
One squirrel came down the tree still very alive and Jess gave chase but it slipped her soft mouth and made for down a hole. Jess went straight in after it and when I got there the dog was in so deep I couldnt see her! With a struggle she wriggled out with squirrel in mouth still alive. Jess soon ended it once on top.
Here is Jess, squirrel and hole.
View attachment 61247
Now, although I've succeeded in getting reliability that involves a little tamping of the butt on the ground I seem to struggle with wing shooting! I'm not sure what is going on just yet but at some point I'm going to have to do some testing.
Maybe under some pigeon coming to roost on a windy night i will learn more.

That's adventure hunting right there. Love the dog. Food's food!

 

[Christophero]

Fascinating, I 've never seen a squirrel run into a hole in the ground, ever. When I've shot them and they are not quite deceased after bouncing off the ground they scamper back up the tree from which they tumbled from. Your squirrels must have been crossbred with our groundhogs/marmots!
Glad you achieved success and to many more outings with the Side by Side once you figure it out completely.

 

[Feltwad]

Fascinating, I 've never seen a squirrel run into a hole in the ground, ever. When I've shot them and they are not quite deceased after bouncing off the ground they scamper back up the tree from which they tumbled from. Your squirrels must have been crossbred with our groundhogs/marmots!
Glad you achieved success and to many more outings with the Side by Side once you figure it out completely.

It fascinated me also.
Feltwad

 

[Britsmoothy]

Fascinating, I 've never seen a squirrel run into a hole in the ground, ever. When I've shot them and they are not quite deceased after bouncing off the ground they scamper back up the tree from which they tumbled from. Your squirrels must have been crossbred with our groundhogs/marmots!
Glad you achieved success and to many more outings with the Side by Side once you figure it out completely.

Superimposed sir, or over and under .

 

[hanshi]

Fascinating, I 've never seen a squirrel run into a hole in the ground, ever. When I've shot them and they are not quite deceased after bouncing off the ground they scamper back up the tree from which they tumbled from. Your squirrels must have been crossbred with our groundhogs/marmots!
Glad you achieved success and to many more outings with the Side by Side once you figure it out completely.

I've had it happen more than once. They will go to the nearest "safe" place they know of.

 

[Rudall]

Your squirrels must have been crossbred with our groundhogs/marmots!

They *are* your squirrels!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Good detail of a successful hunt with a top notch dog! Have seen your kind of shotgun before. What load are you using in it? Dan.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Good detail of a successful hunt with a top notch dog! Have seen your kind of shotgun before. What load are you using in it? Dan.

Not had it long. I have been last time out dumping 90gn of powder and equally a volume of #5 shot. With a few thin cards betwixt.

 

[Christophero]

Superimposed sir, or over and under .

Ah, I didn't look close enough at the long gun barrels. Was mainly checking out the walnut buttstock and side by side hammers. Just assumed it was a SxS. Thank you for pointing that out.