Opening Weekend

[Blind Dog]

I returned last night from three nights in the Oscoda County bush kinda tired and dirty but pleased with the experience. The weather wasn't the best; off on and on misty, blustery drizzle; but, improved yesterday as I was leaving of course. The birds were there, both woodcock and grouse; and, we did ok. Some pics below. First is Tom, the youngest and newest to the game and appointed "chef" naturally; next is Jeff, all prideful with his fan; last is the only Parker in the group with three of the little ones. Jeff, in his second year at it did very well with his 1100 and has a very good dog (a GSP, ok Rich?). We had one frosty night. The ferns are browned out but still up and hardly any leaves have fallen from the hardwoods yet; called for fast shooting. I'll be going back in a week, probably not roughing it.

[Roundsworth]

Hey Fred. We get a lot of rain up here, too. I shouldn't gripe. Every year, just before the small game opener, it starts to rain. I hit the woods when it isn't raining and have had good luck so far. My RBL is a joy to carry. My 2 Lifters weigh 9 pounds and 10 pounds. Our forefathers must've been real 'he-men' to carry those around all day! I hit the brush at sunrise and usually walk for 7 to 8 hours. I'll take a short lunch break, but that's it. The brush is still quite thick. I try to get in as many days as possible when it is tolerable out. When the temperature stays below 30 dgrees, my hands cannot take it, and my season is over. It is a drag, because that is when the leaves are all down. Oh well, I am retired, so I get to hunt when most people are at work. Good Luck! Cheers!

[C.O.B.]

Fred it's a big ok on the GSP. I did a preserve Quail hunt last weekend and Gunner my 13yr old GSP who is about as deaf as a dog can be got out for a day. He can barly hear the wistle but when i got his attention and waved my hat he would come. I'm scratching his ear as I type this post. His heart is all there, it's just hard to watch them get old

I get my CHE 20 back this weekend and am lookin forward to hunting some birds with it. it's been gone for over a year getting restocked.

[TARNATION !!!]

Mark: My hands sound like yours. Thinsulate gloves help for me. Unfortunately, I don't realize if they have gotten too cold, so I try to be very careful once the snow is flying. But....... ain't retirement great. I seldom see another hunter when I'm chasing birds on Mondays to Fridays. I usually let them have Saturday.

Fred and Richard: I really enjoyed my GSP TAZ for 8 seasons but cancer took him at a relatively young 9 years old. Often think of that boy but having CHARLIE become a good bird dog has helped.

TAZ


CHARLIE

[Roundsworth]

Yesterday was a beautiful day for grouse. I brought 3 home, but had to dispose of 2 due to worms! Yuck! I consulted the Minnesota DNR website for info and was appalled when the article stated that it was okay to eat these birds. I don't think so, not me!

[C.O.B.]

I have never seen or heard of Grouse getting worms I suppose there no different than any other animal and as long as they wern't in the meat it would be ok to eat.

I usually just pop the legs off and filet out the breast so I don't get into the guts to check for worms so I wouldn't know if I was eating a wormy bird or not.

[Roundsworth]

These worms look like fine spaghetti and are situated between the skin and breast. I did not find any in the internal organs. The only part that gives me the willies is that there were quite a few in each bird. That fact tells me that they reproduce in the bird. It takes but a few seconds to field dress the birds, but there were so many worms that they caught my attention almost immediately.

[John D.]

Originally Posted by Mark Landskov

These worms look like fine spaghetti and are situated between the skin and breast....

Uggghhhhh.....!!!!

JD

[Roundsworth]

Jack, I have Thinsulate gloves that help to about 30 F. They are about as bulky as I can wear and still be able to safely operate my gun. Below 30 F, I have a small Jon-E handwarmer that burns for 8+ hours. Otherwise, I end up missing out on quite afew days/weeks of grouse hunting.

[Dean Romig]

I feel bad for you guys. My fingers are very sensitive to being cold too and the best thing I have found is a thin pair of soft pigskin gloves about $10 - $14 at places like Home Depot of Lowes. They keep my hands comfortable down to just a tad under 20 degrees.