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I am very happy to report we are starting to get some grouse. The numbers seem to be slightly up from last year and we are enjoying it. The woodcock numbers as far as I can tell are very strong. We are seeing many more birds than last year and the flights have not even started yet! I wish I could tell you that the first grouse of the year was over a beautiful point and I made a very hard shot. Well it was the opposite. Max (my new pup) bumped a grouse and I missed it as it flew over my head. I saw where it went and could not believe my eyes. It landed where there was literally no cover. It was so open that Ed did not believe me as we approached. As we cleared the open hardwoods and entered an area with no trees, just ferns, the grouse exploded into the open, crossing right to left. Grouse, in my opinion are one of the hardest game birds to shoot on the wing. I almost felt guilty taking advantage of this bird as he offered us the easiest grouse shot I have ever seen. Well luckily I hit it (grouse seem to make a fool out of me even on easy shots).
Max and I enjoyed the bird for a moment and then were off in search of grouse # 2. I also enjoyed shooting a woodcock over Sadie moments later. Sadie is 7 now and has turned into quite a little bird dog. She is so much fun in the field.
Sadie and Max
The next day was my best day this year so far. Ed & I went back to the good spot we went to the first day and did not do well due to the heat. This time we had Hank and Mac (Ed’s 6 year old Gordon) along. Anticipation was high; two good dogs and cool temperatures. In 90 minutes we flushed 13 grouse (8 of which we shot at) and 12 woodcock. The first grouse was fairly easy. I spotted it in a tree. Ed being the good guy he is, offered to flush it while I stood ready. He even said “I won’t shoot unless you miss”. Well now the pressure was on. I was lucky enough not to be made a fool on this chip shot, and had my 2nd grouse of the week. Another grouse made a fool out of me soon after, as I took a bathroom break. I heard Hank on point; trying to finish my business, 2 grouse flushed. I took a shot in spite of my situation and missed. I then proceeded to open my gun and reload, as a 2nd grouse flushed and sailed feet from me, smiling the whole way. There are no guarantees in grouse hunting, but that grouse would have been hard pressed to make it by me had my gun been closed and loaded. Oh well, that’s hunting! The fun continues and I collect a 3rd grouse on a Hail Mary shot as a young red phase grouse flushes out of a tree. I honestly could not see the bird by the time my finger squeezed the trigger, but I knew I was on him. I quickly moved toward where he went and I saw feathers floating in the air, a wonderful sight. I was worried the bird may have landed in the crick we were hunting beside.
I then see Hanks with his prize in the muck beside the crick, lovely! The next grouse is what every grouse hunter lives for, over a great point. Hank was well ahead of us when his beeper started singing. I was making an effort to circle passed Hank when the grouse flushed right at me missing me by a few feet. As he crossed in front of me I took a crack shot and missed.
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The bird turned at the shot and flew straight away from me in an open lane. I got him on the 2nd shot! I was very happy for Hank, great job. Moments later Mac pointed another grouse. Unfortunately Ed missed, it was tough shot though. Ed and I collected 5 woodcock between us, all over Mac and Hank points. It was a very enjoyable hunt.
Well we needed 1 more woodcock to fill our limit for the day so we headed to a new spot with Max. Unfortunately we had no points on woodcock. I was lucky enough to collect a 4th grouse for the day that flushed wild. Hopefully there is much more to come this week, and hopefully some deer action as well. Stay tuned!
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