Ptarmigan over pointing dogs, a Swedish Highland Hunt

[TokkieM]

There are a few wild places left in this world, the Swedish Highlands in the North is one of those places, it overs what is the Formula 1 of bird hunting over pointing dogs, the chase for the elusive Ptarmigan. What few know is that is also one of the places that is home to what I see as the tripple crown of birds over pointing dogs. Black Capricalle, Grouse and Ptarmigan all in one place. Three different birds with diverse habits that it makes it hard to shoot them over one specific dog, but if you do, you know that dog is something special, throw in Woodcock on point and you have a extremely rare and capable dog, Woodcock however are not common on the Fjäll.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Beautiful country.
Nothing like wide open spaces with your dogs.


Why does one dog have a vest and the other not?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Brickburn, my GSP is dark like one of TokkieMs. The vest helps to see it. The white GSP can easily be seen without a vest.
TokkieM, great photos of some lovely country! Thanks for sharing! Only thing better, is if I could have been there!

 

[TokkieM]

Beautiful country.
Nothing like wide open spaces with your dogs.


Why does one dog have a vest and the other not?

Like @Ridgewalker said, easier to see the darker dogs. We have started using GPS collars now on these hunts, just easier.

 

[Shootist43]

What kind of dogs are those? I was thinking German short haired pointers. Are they all yours?

 

[TokkieM]

What kind of dogs are those? I was thinking German short haired pointers. Are they all yours?

Yes they are GSP's, only 3 of them are mine, the other one is the Sire to the puppies.

 

[TokkieM]

 

[Jeff 907]

Beautiful country. The GPS collars are great and we still use vests in thick brush just for viability. Looks like you had a fun and successful trip.

 

[TokkieM]

Beautiful country. The GPS collars are great and we still use vests in thick brush just for viability. Looks like you had a fun and successful trip.

Thank you. It has become somewhat of a obsession to harvest Ptarmigan, Black Capricalle and Grouse on the same day over the same dog. Got close last year, but too slow on the Grouse going through the tree line. Maybe this year I won't be the weakest member of the team.

 

[TokkieM]

There is also Reindeer up on those mountains, but they are considered as domesticated animals ( goes for all Reindeer in Sweden) so if by chance your dog persues them, the Sami herders have all rights by law to shoot it.

 

[WAB]

Beautiful pictures. The country looks very similar to our ptarmigan hunting in Alaska. One of my favorite hunts.