Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/116174
post-hunt martini hovering at the edges of my consciousness, we headed to a spot where Brad thought we might have a chance at some sage grouse, a gently rolling expanse of russet grass dotted here and there with silvergreen sage. The overcast we'd enjoyed in the morning had burned off; now the sun blazed in a vast and cloudless sky. At the rim of the far horizons, a faint shimmer appeared in the air. Carrying plenty of water to counter the building heat, we turned loose Tina and Teigen. They ranged ahead, criss-crossing like tacking ships, reaching further and further before finally fading from sight. Soon my Alpha went off. Tina on point, the display read. 354 yards. No, that is not a misprint. We found both setters pointing majestically, facing us. Then a big, dark bird thundered out of the sage, and the Fox barked almost before I was aware of it, and the bird thumped down hard. Then another big bird hammered up, only to fall in a heap at the report of Rick's Beretta. As Rick once mused in an e-mail, when our dogs do their part, our role is simply "to confirm their genius with our guns." My bird was a magnificent old cock, and while I don't know if I'll ever shoot another sage grouse, I do know that I don't need to shoot another one. A couple hours later, showered and reasonably presentable, I strolled the few blocks to The Mint, where I took a seat at the long, narrow bar and hailed Maria. "Bombay Sapphire martini with a twist," I instructed, "very dry and as cold as you can make it." The result was ecstasy. A minute or two later Brad McCardle sauntered in and took the seat on my left. Hailing Maria again, I said, "Brad's money is no good here," and laid another twenty on the bar. When she'd mixed his drink – Grey Goose and something – I turned to him, raised my glass and said, "Here's to a great day – and to one of the nicest dogs I've ever hunted over. To Teigen." "To Teigen," Brad said, smiling and raising his glass. "And to Tina." "I'll drink to that," I said. S P O R T I N G C 86 L A S S I C S