Meet Coal and this former Jersey guy---

Al Hansen

Al Hansen

Well-known member
Last Thursday morning at 2:10, I set off to get up to Glasgow, MT. From where Bev and I live it is almost straight north from Luis Lopez, NM. I was heading for Doug and Nancy Bowman's place out in God's Country (Part of Montana). I live about 140 miles north of Mexico and Doug's kennel, Sweetgrass Labradors is about 60 miles from Canada. That meant just one thing, I had a medium sized drive ahead of me that was 1,210 miles long to be exact. Just take that times 2 and I was home again with Coal. He was worth every mile I had to drive.
Al

Here is Doug who is holding Coal.



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Coal is exactly 8 weeks old today, Sept. 29th. He was born on July 29th 2021 and I will not forget that because on July 29th 1966, I set my feet on Alaskan soil for the first time in my life.
I'm waiting on Bev to count the number of red petunia blossoms that she now has left.


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I sure like what I see. He loves to investigate and Coal is starting to use his nose.
Al


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Nothing like puppy pics to make the work day better!
Glad you had a safe & successful trip.
 
Al,
Just tell Bev; Coal is using the red blossoms to acclimate to your New Mexico weather. [angelic] Nice looking pup. My pup is 5 months old now and has been going with me on the boat every day when we go fishing. Amazing how quick they learn what it is all about.
 
Coal looks vicious and dangerous in all the right ways! Keep him away from those rattlers you keep sharing photos of.
 
Jeez Al: Your dogs from wherever are the sweetest. And nothing better than a long drive across country, always so interesting. When we were younger, we hiked-though not to pick up dogs.
 
Beautiful pup Al! I bet that was a beautiful drive too!

I would have had to stay in MT and chase ducks and upland birds for a day or two!
 
Thank you so much, Carl. I will try my hardest to keep you in the loop with how he is doing. I do realize that he will or hopefully will be ready to take over Chip's duties of being my partner in the duck blind. We will see how it goes.
Al
 
There is no doubt about that, Dave. They are an amazing specie within the dog family. Most labs have that gene pool packed and ready to go---"hunting"---
As for the comment on the weather you sure were right. This was a very warm year down here. I remember what a scientist said not too long ago when he mentioned that some of us in this zone of North America should start getting ready for a 6 month summer. Our September has to be close to setting a new heat record because it sure was a warm one.

Dave, it sounds like your pup will be ready to hunt ducks this year or are you opting for next year? Sorry, I was thinking about how old he would be in January here which would be perfect.
Al
 
I really liked that first sentence of yours. I will do my best to keep him away from those crawling creatures. My good friend has removed over 20 western diamondbacks from his property this year.
Al
 
Hey James
I am one of those guys who loves to travel and I will on purpose take the two lane highways and leave the interstates for those who love speed. When traveling through, CO, WY, and MT I found that almost no one other than ranchers will use some of these highways, so now I use them also. Case in point would be Colorado. From Colorado Springs to Fort Collins just seems to be a zoo with some gosh awful traffic. So on my way to Doug and Nancy's home, I drove towards the east to a highway that is almost a straight north/south road. When I got to it, I was passed by 4 vehicles in the southern part of that state and then in the northern half, not one car or truck passed me. Yes,I am one of those guys that if the speed limit is 65 mph, that is what I set the cruise at.

Bev and I have always tried to have a line of Labradors that are really good family dogs. Then if you are a hunter and care to spend the time in creating a good retriever, there is nothing quite like a dual purpose lab. I have to admit that I ask folks if there is a hunter in the household. I get excited when they say,"Yes."
Al
 
Paul, I would agree with you on Montana. I was up in the northeatern part of the state and the farmers/ranchers are really suffering from a terrible drought. The Fort Peck reservoir is down 40 feet.
Thank you on your comment about Coal.
Al
This guy was sailing his boat below the Fort Peck Dam. The word tranquil came to mind.


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I've hunted around Malta and Lake Bowdoin back in the late 90's. I'd love to get back up there! I heard the drought hit them hard this year. That'll be tough on all wildlife for sure.
 
Good Morning Al,

Great looking pup and well worth the drive. We are heading North on the 14th for our annual Saskatchewan adventure, in speaking to our farmer friends, it is also very dry in their area.

Have a great upcoming season and keep us posted on Coal's training and growth development.

Dennis S.
Rio Rancho, NM
 
Al Hansen said:
Last Thursday morning at 2:10, I set off to get up to Glasgow, MT. From where Bev and I live it is almost straight north from Luis Lopez, NM. I was heading for Doug and Nancy Bowman's place out in God's Country (Part of Montana). I live about 140 miles north of Mexico and Doug's kennel, Sweetgrass Labradors is about 60 miles from Canada. That meant just one thing, I had a medium sized drive ahead of me that was 1,210 miles long to be exact. Just take that times 2 and I was home again with Coal. He was worth every mile I had to drive.
Al

Here is Doug who is holding Coal.



Doug is good people! He went by the name Montana for years. Before he finally made the move west. We miss him out here but know he's doing great. Great looking pup






















Coal is exactly 8 weeks old today, Sept. 29th. He was born on July 29th 2021 and I will not forget that because on July 29th 1966, I set my feet on Alaskan soil for the first time in my life.
I'm waiting on Bev to count the number of red petunia blossoms that she now has left.




I sure like what I see. He loves to investigate and Coal is starting to use his nose.
Al
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Paul, I also hunted in Montana in 93. I was after Mule deer in the Broadus area. Beautiful country and good people.
Al
 
Good to hear from you, Dennis. Best of luck to you and your crew when you get to Saskatchewan. I know you will enjoy it. Just being there first of all is a plus factor.
Al

I will continue to update you on the progress with Coal. He will be my last "duck dog". Fingers crossed!
 
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