First Ruff of the New Season
 

One grouse on the wing is not usually cause for much celebration. But after a long, hot, smoky summer of endless chores and home maintenance projects, it was a tremendous relief to finally get the time to take the dogs and a restored VHE 16nr out for a hike behind the cabin this morning.

Congrats...that looks like a nice big mature bird...Way to brake the ice....Could be first bird of the year by anybody here?

Very nice !

It's easy to tell young of the year grouse. The outer wing tips will be pointed and on cock birds, the black on the middle tail feathers will most likely be broken up with some gray. Another way to tell is to hold the bird by the bottom beak. If it breaks, it is a young of the year bird.