"Now We're Talkin'"

Hi everyone;

As promised we really did go to South Dakota to do some Pheasant hunting and thanks to the graces of God and good weather we had a successful hunt. While there won't be any recipes on this installment, we will talk about Ike and what he loves to do. Ike did good job on Public ground the first day. For those of you that don't know South Dakota has about 4 MILLION acres in varoius public access areas for hunting. Hunting in general and non-resident hunters generate an estimate 12% of the gross income for the state-so it is big business. Public gound is more difficult and usually need BIG groups of people to hunt them as many times you are walking in 300+acre plots. There were just us 3, Bryan, Ken and myself and Ike. While we saw a couple roosters (you can only shoot roosters) right out of the box, they were too wiley and flushed too far out for a shot - I considered that a good omen... But after that we saw only Hens.. Ike did really well finding them - one field he found 4 but again we couldn't shoot them.. (Man did I get a dirty look from him after the 3rd one -like, "Hey I did my job -now do yours!"

But we did have a pretty good day at the Private Ground on Friday. On the left you see part of are group as well as Ike with our harvest of our "limit". Pictured front and center is Ike, although I think he was still looking for one more bird- but flanking Ike and I are our two guides Larry and Lowell, (and Mocha) great guys and wonderful dog (Larry's 2 labs are in the background in his truck)

Here is a pic of Ike with his first retrieve in South Dakota - He extracted the tail feathers in the process but he brought it back to me - so that is a good thing.

He was a tired puppy every night but he was rearing to go the next morning. What he lacks in size he makes up for in determination!!

Next Blog - Pheasant Chilli.... Mmmm..

Until then, "Ike, Find that bird!"

Easy Meals

Hi everyone,

I have been posting now a couple of weeks and really want to thank everyone that has visited and commented or become a follower on Ike's blog. One comment was how about some ideas on one dish easy meals, and I thought that is a great idea. As we get ready for hunting season, and our big pilgrimage to the Pheasant Capital of the US, South Dakota, we usually try to bring an easy "crock pot - start it and forget it" meal for at least one of the hunting days.

Ike and I are warming up using the Wii Bird hunting game - not too much pointing and retrieving for him on this but it sure holds his attention.

Anyway one very easy and delicious way to make "pulled pork" is by using the crock pot, some of your favorite BBQ sauce and rub and OK, get this, a 20 oz bottle of Coca Cola - (regular not diet). You will need:

1 Pork Shoulder Roast (sometimes called Boston Butt - yeah I know this is nowhere near the butt - but I didn't name it) Make sure it fits in your Crock Pot

1/4 cup of your favorite rub

16 oz bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

1 20 oz bottle of Coca Cola

Spray your crock pot with some no stick spray (up on the sides)

Rub your pork roast with the rub - use as much or as little as you like

Place Fat side up in Crock Pot

Cover the top of the Roast liberally with your BBQ sauce

Pour in as much of the coke as it takes to nearly submerge the roast - leave some room in the crock pot for liquid to develop. (usually you get to drink some of the coke)

Turn on high and set timer for 8 hours (our crock pot has a digital timer that you set and when it ends it automatically turn to "warm" setting)

Come back in 8 hours, drain and shred using forks or "Bear Claws" (see the picture). These babies really work for shredding a roast for sandwiches. I got these at Bass Pro Shop.

Place back in crock pot add remainder of BBQ sauce and warm and serve on buns, bread, or just a fork...

Easy to prep, easy to cook, easy to clean up.

Until next time, "Ike, find that bird!"