North woods Maine

[MARK KIRCHER]

I am just back from a weeked hunt - 7 members of the Vanderbilt club went north again this year after grouse and woodcock. Great time and accomodations at Chandler lakes camp.

Challenging hunting as all leaves were still up - we hit the Peak - and we had 78 degrees weather to hunt in. no wind - very hard on the dogs - extremely poor scenting conditions.

We all scratched a few birds spent some time fishing too. Highly recommended site for all.

I carried my trusted 20 gauge DH - 0 frame - 28inch. Took a nice grouse and a few woodcock.

the season begins ........

[edgarspencer]

What a difference a couple days make. It's 36 this morning with a steady 18mph wind out of the NNW.

[Stephen Hodges]

Nice hunt Mark. Edgar is right, a day or two can make a huge difference. Here in central NH there have been no flight birds in my covers. But it has been warm. This morning is 34 and as Edgar says, windy. Hope it brings some birds south. :):)

[Dean Romig]

Just came down from Vt last night. Weekend weather was very unsettled. First woodcock of the season gave me a station 8 low house shot... which I missed cleanly. Don't have any idea if it was a local bird or a flight bird but they should be coming down soon. Full moon is next week... that may help.

I'm really glad I didn't connect with that bird - I've turned those presentations into "diesel smoke" at the Skeet field.....




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[MARK KIRCHER]

I dont think we were into flight birds - very spread out and all in the lowest areas.

We woke up yesterday to a 30 degree temp drop - a perfect day for hunting - our only consolation was it was Sunday - no hunts in Maine.

My shots were all 20 yards + on woodcock. The grouse shot was too close for my satisfaction - but in that thick cover ........ options are limited and it was the last day and.......I talked myself into it

We'll be back !

Here is a family we saw on way in -

[Mills Morrison]

Great photos, Mark!

[MARK KIRCHER]

Mills -

We did not shoot much but the walk was Exceptional none- the- less!

[Dean Romig]

Sometimes a nice Parker gives us a chance to take a nice enjoyable walk in the woods.





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[Russell E. Cleary]

I have stayed at Chandler Lake Camps, as well; and returned there last week for three days of guided hunting. I second Mark's positive assessment of the venue, and specifically cite the congenial hosts; top-notch guide and dogs; and good Ruffed Grouse action. (A few Woodcock were put up and shot "at", too.)

As for the Grunden's fishing gear I am wearing: admittedly eccentric, but for me "crude-but-effective" deep-woods brush pants; serving nicely when sliding over rain-soaked, moss covered logs.

The gun in the photo is a restored 1907 16 gauge VH; 26 inch barrels; 0-framed; cylinder right/ modified left (consistent with factory letter) -- my entry in the "ideal Grouse Gun" competition.

[Phil Yearout]

Sometimes a nice Parker gives us a chance to take a nice enjoyable walk in the woods..

John Feinstein's book said golf is "a good walk spoiled" (quote attributed to Mark Twain). I guess carrying a nice Parker (or Fox, or Smith, or Lefever, or Ithaca, or...) could be called "a good walk enhanced" eh?

[charlie cleveland]

great stories...i too love to look at parker or any old double barrel gun while hunting...charlie

[MARK KIRCHER]

We headed back to the North Maine woods this week. We had great weather - leaves down and ample opportunities on the ruffies.

I shot like a man possessed on Day 1, and I was rewarded with my first grouse limit and a beautiful woodcock with only 7 shells fired :).

Of course I was proud of my efforts! However, I must have dislocated my shoulder patting myself on the back because I followed up the next day with a big fat ZERO over 10 shots. :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :crying:

From Hero to Zero in 24 hours........How can that be :banghead:??? It is an unforgiving sport........ Cant wait till next year!!!

[edgarspencer]

I'm jealous. I spent the whole afternoon listening to 30 mph wind. Uncle Fran got off one shot, But all I got was tired. Saw way more birds in VT last weekend than in Maine today. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

[Dean Romig]

Jamie hunted all day today and only heard two flushes.

Very dismal in our little section of VT's NEK.





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[Richard Flanders]

The only grouse I'll be seeing for a while will be under my feeder here at home. Somewhere between 4 and 6 came in this morning so it's looking like I'll be blessed with some feeder bird buddies this winter.

[Kenny Graft]

It was good hunting in the mornings. We found that the mountain tops were dry from the summer drought...found little bird scent on our hunts on top. The lower bottoms produced birds along the creeks and in the bogs. My Gordon setter light came on and now she seeks out woodcocks..(-: Had some solid points over her. Moved several grouse but they did not offer more than a glimpse. The best opportunity came I was on the cell with work...never answer the dang thing when your dog is birdy! Felt like throwing it down in front of me and giving it a load of 7 1/2-s But that's huntin... I will try to load a couple pics from my cell...hope they load. SXS Ohio