UP 2017

[Harold Pickens]

Another UP hunting trip is in the books. I hunted so hard that it will take another 2 weeks to recover. I start early and finish late, savoring every moment in the grouse woods. Fancy and Betty are thin despite pouring on all the food they would eat. Bird numbers were very good--now, I have hunted the UP every year since 1986, and I have seen highs and lows. I also know what to look for in grouse covers. The woodcock flights never did seem to make it to the UP tis year--I saw only 4 wc in 2 weeks. The weather had been quite warm before I got there, but then turned rainy, cool, and often snowed.
I took 2 guns, my VHE 20, and my J.Manton 20 hammer gun. I prefer to shoot the hammer gun, and on several days took my 5 bird limit with it. I seem to be able to post only 1 pic at a time, so this may take a while.