The Kingdom

[Dave Suponski]

Danny and I spent the weekend with Dean and Jamie in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. After several years of walking the walk Danny finally connected on "Ol Ruff' in and overgrown apple orchard. He was shooting my 20 gauge Trojan and boy does that gun have "soul". Gracie..Deans English Setter did a great job finding that downed bird. I am one proud Dad sitting here this evening.

[Dave Suponski]

One proud guy.....

[charlie cleveland]

what a smile does me good to here good stories like this..mayhe have many more hunts like this...charlie

[Robert Rambler]

Congrats all around. Making memories with family and friends is always the best !:)

[Dean Romig]

It was great fun to be present with Danny and Dave on this momentous occasion - Congratulations to Danny!!

When Danny and I started downslope to find his grouse after he shot and said he had hit it, a bird thundered up right from the area where Danny saw his grouse go down. We were disappointed but I've seen grouse do such things to me before and we tried to brush it off as 'just a bit of bad luck.' Danny and I turned to go back up with Dave and Jamie but Gracie would have none of it. She kept searchin and searchin and was acting very birdy. Suddenly she slammed into a very intense point with her muzzle just about on the ground... all at once she pounced and grabbed a grouse in a full-body grip. It was Danny's bird!... and Gracie knew better!! What a great "first grouse" story Danny has to remember.

That afternoon Gracie seemed to just come into her own! She made at least six classic points and some were at nearly forty yards. Danny's bird was one of a flock of three that Gracie pointed. They got up within a second or so of each other. Lots of shooting ensued! Another point she made was when she was quartering cross-slope and it was like she did a double-take turning her body into a tight horseshoe and freezing fast with her muzzle low, left front paw drawn up close to her chest, and her white 'plume' tail highly held. I'll remember that picture for a long time in my mind's eye... until a better one comes along. Well Jamie walked in on that point but when the grouse flushed it stayed very low and was screened by brush until it was nearly fifty yards away.

Grace got some very well-earned rest time back at camp....



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[Dean Romig]

"Grouse Camp" is a bit rustic but it has everything a tired hunter might need. Camp is the long low wing of my 'brother' Tom's home. All hand built by Tom and friends from local materials and lumber from his own spruce grove that his Dad planted in 1955. I remember when the trees were no more than 12" seedlings.:shock:
Tom has a 2 y-o Great Dane "puppy" that really doesn't know how big and strong she is... but she holds back a bit when playing with Grace.

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Incidentally, when you do an about face from looking at camp you are greeted with a fabulous view of Vermont's hills and the Presidential Range in New Hampshire.


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[davidboyles]

Dean what a beautiful tired dog and proud Dad so happy for you both. I'm looking forward to my grandson who is 12 shooting some ducks,dove and quail with his new(old) damascus GH 16 26" barrels. Its a surprise!!! Now we will be shooting Parkers together that's better than an Auto 20 I'm always concerned jamming or is it loaded? Hope to do an article. Cheers to you and your hunting companions. Best Amigo David

[Dean Romig]

I just want to know if Danny and Dave had sauteed grouse breasts tonight for dinner??






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[davidboyles]

Dean looks like I got the players mixed up but nevertheless everybody had fun and the dogs always do!!

[George M. Purtill]

Yahoo

[Stephen Hodges]

Danny, congrats on a great hunt:bowdown: Seeing how well you shoot that 20 gauge Trojan of your Dads, I think it should be yours:):rolleyes:

[Dave Suponski]

Steve, they all will be his in due time...

[Stephen Hodges]

Steve, they all will be his in due time...

Yeh, and lets not hurry that up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Craig Larter]

Danny great job, a grouse is a true trophy. And congrats to Dad who encouraged you and coached you to his success. The bond of father and son is very special. I remember my son's first duck like it happened yesterday.