I'll have to check the spelling for the Chiggers in the Tar Heel State- had a TDY at Camp LeJeune -Court House Bay sector- the chiggers were so bad down there in the summer months, plus the 90 % humidity as well- Murfreesborough I think is correct spelling-So I can relate to your story.
Not a grouse man- our two week early "nuisance goose" season ended down here on the 15th- when grouse opens, also squirrels and either sexed wild turkey (NOT the 101 proof version however)--
As far as "Porkys" and the bird dogs- a 1911 A-1 in .45 ACP would sure stop a porky or a raccoon cold-and it might be "declasse" to dispatch either varmint with a fine DHE 28 bore grouse gun. I have been very lucky (so far) as none of my dogs have ever messed with either a skunk or a porky. One wild animal, maybe others like a wolverine, that will attack from above and kill porkys is a fisher- faster than greased lightning too.
