Deryl McKinnerney

August 13, 2019 by Deryl McKinnerney

As decorated historian David McCullough most thoughtfully said History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are. The hay is in the barn, the cows are fat and we still have good cover in our pastures entering the hottest stretch of summer. Yes, Mother Nature has been kind to us in 2019 and for that we are most thankful.

May 16, 2019 by Deryl McKinnerney

Going to buy Pointers in Tennessee is one of the weeks I hold in high anticipation each year. Injecting young dogs in our kennel is a necessity and I simply love looking at young talent. I am fortunate these days. I have been purchasing my Pointers from the same source for several years. Ross knows what I like, I love what he has, so the feeling out process between the two of us has long run its course. Now when I show up to look at dogs, Ross has culled hard and has only the crème of the crop to show me.

January 29, 2019 by Deryl McKinnerney

Warp speed. That is the only description for how fast the time flies during quail season. That is not a negative statement, but a positive one. The four and a half months of our peak season are when the team here at the 4R is at its most efficient. There simply is no time to play catch-up, so time management and staying on task are essential. And yes, Jill will crack the whip if you shirk a task.

October 20, 2018 by Deryl McKinnerney

Every quail season is unique unto itself. The cover in our courses, the weather leading up to the season and the weather we are served when the season starts are all embedded in our memory banks as a reference to prior years, and years to come. This season is starting out as being uniquely unique.

August 26, 2018 by Deryl McKinnerney

Burley was a handsome Labrador Retriever. His coat was a slick yellow, covering an athletic frame of 65 pounds. Even among a group of good-looking dogs, Burley stuck out. His looks were impressive, but his cocktail personality shined as bright as his coat and he was also a fine bird dog.  Then one day, like everyday before that day, Burley made his rounds in the kennel yard, but he didn’t return to his kennel. Instead, he was lying under a pecan tree gasping for air. In two days time, he passed. Burley has the unfortunate label of being our first dog lost to Chagas Disease.