Grouse guns
 

The opener is less than a month away and I'll be able to leave for the Upper Peninsula a week or so early this year giving me 5-6 weeks of hunting. This year I'll have two companions Ike who will be 2 and Duke who will see his first birthday in the U.P.
The gun selection begins. There will be only one 12 but it's the small bore choices that make these decisions both fun and thought provoking. Changing conditions dictate different guns as in leaves vs no leaves, warmer weather vs colder weather ect. Decisions, decisions, decisions:rotf:

Will be going into bird season with a greatly expanded small bore Arsenal. Hope to get them all out

Ha! Those are the tough decisions we all wish we had my friend.

Among the most promising is a 1 frame 16 with 26 inch original barrels that handles like a wand

Instead of counting sheep to get to sleep at night, I scheme on which gun to use for the upcoming hunts -- dove, grouse, woodcock, quail, ducks, etc. I hope I never cease to be optimistic for the future at this time of year. I think I'll not check the news any more, and just check the weather. On second thought, I'll pass on checking the weather, too.

That would keep me up

The 16's will be an A grade Fox 26 inch, Purdy with 28 inch barrels this is more for the later season as it's choked IC/F and a GHE 16. Gunner's Gun heads up the 20's but that's as far as I've thought it out:)

An excellent goal Mills:bowdown:

My son will be coming up this year with his 1 year old GSP, my DDH Milo left us this spring. My arsenal this year for my son and I will be a VHE skeet 16, and a Trojan 16 for my son. A GH 0 frame Damascus 16, a PH 1 frame 32” 16, and a VHE 20 for me. I may also bring up a PH 12 that weighs just over 6 1/2 lbs with its 26” barrels. My mind is still on walleye and perch on Lake Erie, but I am starting to daydream...

One of my favorite topics. A Parker that I can envision enriching October is one of my greatest weaknesses! As Rich has mentioned many times before “ the next one is the best one”, isn’t lost on me. I can do some serious mental gymnastics and become very creative with financial determinations if a Parker starts talking grouse to me. Should it be close to fitting me, I am toast! If I did not already have at least 3 go to Parker Bros and Parker backups for each it would be a serious void and necessary emergency steps would be required!

I know I have a problem, but this grouse gun topic is a daily concern and makes me think of one’s I have walked away from or couldn’t buy still haunt me. The AH 16 that gave me night sweats, it has a very good home with someone that appreciates it. “Rita” a no excuses Sexy D with kickers. She is well owned and cared for also. The 00 frame 28ga that after a lengthy dissertation on the vast differences between the 00 frame and 0 frame with the Chairman dead ended with her questioning how many Parker 28 ga guns do you have? Not as many as Dean wasn’t the correct response. I hunt grouse alone so I really do need that 16 hammer gun!

I think this year will be dominated by 20ga. guns. 2 will go for sure and a 28ga has to go also just because. The 16ga guns will just have to wait their turn come November and ditch parrots.