Ptarmigan - and wolves!- live here.

[Jim McCann]

A couple of the many images I created this past week in ptarmigan country here in interior Alaska.
The ptarmigan is a true wilderness bird. Never to be tamed or raised in captivity. Ptarmigan live in harsh, but gorgeous high country; places that will humble you and cause you to breathe deeply of the crisp fresh mountain air; places - and game birds - that will bring a smile to your face and to your heart, and cause you to forget about the trials and concerns of everyday life, even if just for a short time.

And if that isn't enough, the site of a lone wolf track moving uphill just ahead of you - a beautiful and formiddable predator likely also hunting for ptarmigan or bigger game - is an awesome sight and a thought provoking experience.

It was indeed a glorious day to be alive, and to be in that place.
Jim

[Burke]

aahhhhh....Calgon...I mean ptarmigan take me away!

Nice country...wish I could find some ptarmigan country with that mellow of a slope.... No wonder you live in the interior :-)

[tailwind]

Just another day in paradise, eh Jim?
Great pics, whata day out!

[SkinnyD]

With the limit down to five birds, you've got more room for camera equipment. I am definitely enjoying the fruits of your labor. Beautiful mountains!

[Jim McCann]

We do live in a beautiful place, that's for sure. I hope we can keep it that way forever.

Thanks.

Jim

[Hoyt]

Love being in the mountains! Just something humbling about looking up at those peaks!

[SkinnyD]

Have you filmed that ptarmigan hunt for the tv show yet, Mr. McCann? You'll be able to model a new line of summer wear if you go this week.

[Jim McCann]

Skinny,

The crew comes in tomorrow and we'll be "working" Wed thru Friday. Supposed to snow this week.

Jim

[Jim McCann]

Skinny,

Well, just got home from the first day of shooting the American Gun Dog show. I'm tired. The wind was really whiping up a storm and the temp was only 10 degrees. But the sun did shine all day.

Day started out with no birds in sight, and the American Gun Dog guys didn't bring snowshoes like I told them to, so none of us wore them and that made things real tough on each of us. Eventually my dogs did what they do and found us some birds. We had two rocks in the bag with two top camera guys catching all of it. We had a show! Then my dogs found more birds and we had a better show. One of the cameramen got me shooting a nice double after he did some close-ups of my young dog Charlie standing staunch point in the stiff wind. We got plenty enough birds for a successful show and ended the day very happy.

I know I have great dogs but I still worried about how they would perform today in front of the camera. Of course, for two of my dogs, 3 year old Charlie and 6 year old Rudy, it was just another day of hunting and they turned in another top performance.

We go out again tomorrow.

Jim

[SkinnyD]

The American Gun Dog website appears to be a little out of date, but I am fairly sure I remember them from the days when I had cable tv. I'm glad they caught your double on camera, but it sounds like the dogs stole the show again.

[tailwind]

but it sounds like the dogs stole the show again.

Dont they always!

[PG13]

When in Rome...

I think I would take the snowshoes out today. They obviously haven't heeded the above...

[Jim McCann]

Well, my dogs made me look good again today! And we sure found a bunch of birds and got some more great footage. For a while we had 3 year old Charlie fitted with a "dog cam" and that was a lot of fun. The show should air sometime in September on the "Sportsman's Channel." We're trying to schedule a ruffed/sharptail grouse hunt this fall.

Jim

[Hoyt]

Well, my dogs made me look good again today! And we sure found a bunch of birds and got some more great footage. For a while we had 3 year old Charlie fitted with a "dog cam" and that was a lot of fun. The show should air sometime in September on the "Sportsman's Channel." We're trying to schedule a ruffed/sharptail grouse hunt this fall.

Jim

Be neat to see the show! I don't wish summer away very often, but I'm ready for fall.........

[tailwind]

ptarmagin-and wolves-and Jim!-live here

Can't wait to see this show Jim. Gonna be so neat to say, hey, I know that guy!

Hoyt I know how ya feel. Aug 10th can't come soon enough!
Plenty to keep us busy till then