Writer Abram Documents Puppy Boone’s Journey to North Dakota
In an essay published in Chasing the Quiet Pull, writer Abram documented a drive from Cedar Rapids to North Dakota alongside three hunting dogs—Theo, Henry, and a six-month-old puppy named Boone—ultimately arriving at a hunting camp where the young dog immediately exhibited wild bird tracking skills.
The Road West and the Weather That Slowed the Truck
The journey began after leaving Cedar Rapids, where the original plan involved driving straight through to North Dakota. Instead, heavy winds battered the truck and trailer for hours, dragging fuel mileage down from an expected fifteen miles per gallon to just six in certain stretches. Every stop along the highway turned into a combined fuel break, dog rest, and route recalculation. North of Omaha, the dogs stretched their legs, and Henry immediately flushed pheasants while the author boiled coffee on the tailgate.
Daylight vanished before the convoy reached Watertown, prompting a detour to a scouted stand of trees that offered shelter from the wind and open ground for the dogs. By Jamestown, relentless wind and rain forced a halt, leading to a few hours of sleep at a rest area. Stepping out the next morning into 30-degree air, the author found the prairie transformed into cut wheat stubble, cattails, and rolling folds of brown, gold, and rust.
Camp Life and Boone’s First Wild Bird Point
Upon reaching camp later that morning, trailers were unloaded while Henry and Boone immediately began hunting the property. The boys were excited to arrive at camp, and we reached camp later that morning. Shortly after the arrival of a companion named Dave, the author spotted six-month-old Boone standing completely rigid in the grass. The puppy held a steady point without flushing or chasing, allowing a pheasant to lift directly in front of him. Henry inspected the scent trail and quickly backed the point. Do you see that?
Boone was on point. We watched him hold his posture, rigid and elegant.
That afternoon brought the first official hunt of the trip with Henry, Theo, and Boone. The young puppy quartered the field, used the wind, and located birds with surprising maturity. On Saturday, the group spent nearly four hours in a single spot as the dogs repeatedly pinned wild pheasants. With birds now stored in the freezer and gear spread across the bunkhouse, the long drive was officially behind them.
Dogs Signal Arrival as Boone Runs Alongside Them
Before reaching the final destination, letting the dogs out during the journey signaled the true arrival, changing the demeanor of Theo and Henry from highway-weary dogs into focused bird dogs. Boone ran alongside them as something was happening there too. Incredible.