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TWO DETERMINED TEXAS BIRD HUNTERS GO GUNNING FOR A DREAM IN OREGON
Michael Baughman
November 19, 1984
In an essay on hunting, the late Canadian author Roderick Haig-Brown wrote that one virtue of chasing after upland birds is that it takes hunters to places they otherwise would not have gone. I think Haig-Brown was right, and I believe his premise is especially true in regard to mountain quail. Found primarily in four Western slates—California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho—mountain quail are surely the most elusive game birds in North America. Here's the story of two Texans who learned the truth of this by chasing mountain quail long and hard.
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November 19, 1984

Two Determined Texas Bird Hunters Go Gunning For A Dream In Oregon

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Less than 24 hours after they'd arrived, the Kimbroughs were on a southbound flight. Dick called me at home before they left. "You got to let us give you something for this," he said.

"I don't need anything," I said. "I told your brother that the first time he phoned. You can call up Rob if you want, but I'm pretty sure he feels the same about it. I'm glad it worked out."

"What a day! A lifetime dream come true! We'll never forget it!"

"Mountain quail get you to places you wouldn't go otherwise."

"Did you write that in your article?"

"A guy named Haig-Brown wrote it a longtime ago."

"He was right," Dick said. "By god, he was right. They damn sure do!"

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