Newfoundland grouse with 16 gauge O frame VH

[Brian Hornacek]

Spending a few days with Chris Dawe in Newfoundland grouse hunting. Today we were outside Gander where we hiked 10.5 miles and brought 11 birds to wing. I was quite the terrible shot firing 7 shells with 2 legitimate chances and nothing to show for it. Chris connect with this beautiful mature male late in the day. He used a VH 16 ga O frame with 28" barrels and a straight stock. I was a tree killer with my VHE 16 gauge 1 frame 28" that Chris just complete a full restoration on. Benny, Chris's 4 year old English setter, did all the hard work. He is one handsome dog and excellent hunter.

I fix the crooked picture later!!!

[Phillip Carr]

Sounds like a great day. 10 miles in that country has got to be tough. Very nice
Picture.

[Brian Hornacek]

Sounds like a great day. 10 miles in that country has got to be tough. Very nice
Picture.

You have NO idea how tough unless you have experienced it, scotch at the hotel is making my sore legs feel better.

[Phillip Carr]

Ah, the renown elixir used through out the world for pain reduction and memory enhancement.

[chris dawe]

I just dropped my buddy Hornacek off to the airport ,we had a great time ,had lots of laughs , ate too much ...and drank just enough Whisky ...the weather was surprisingly nice and we got to hunt a couple good days ,and he worked his butt off ! for a flatlander I was impressed :cool:

Our last hunt was yesterday morning ,a quick hike-half an hour from my house ,45 minutes of walking and we put up six birds over my old DD Heiko...Brian made the trip in ,my opinion with a difficult and quick shot from his recently restored Grade 2 top lever 16 gauge ,I honestly think I was more excited than he was !

[Brian Hornacek]

Hunting with Chris is test in endurance and I consider it a privilege to spend time on his home island. He is a pasionet Outdoorsman that any man, woman, son or daughter would look up to and aspire to be. In the NL grouse woods terrain is slippery and wet, the cover is thick and uninviting. On the barons the best I can describe it is walking miles on a very soft mattress that covers a rockpile with water on every step. The holes and crevices your feet seem to find make it quite the dance. natives to the island like Chris seem to float across the top as visitors like me are moving around trying to maintain balance and avoid falling. That all said I am already looking forward to my next trip!

The gun......well I will post pictures on the other thread I have regarding it. Here is a little better picture for now, it speaks for itself and Chris's workmanship.