Opening Weekend

[Rich Anderson]

It's hard to believe but the opening weekend is just around the corner. grouse season opens tomorrow. the 4th of July seems like yesterday and Memorial day wasn't that long ago. Befor we know it X-Mass will be upon us. Stores are already doing their holiday set ups.

My fellow PGCA members Dave Miles and Eric Eis and myself will be searching the coverts with our trusty four legged companions armed with the best (that we can afford) from Meridian, Ct in search of the King of the Uplands.

The season is upon us. Keep it safe.

[Mark Landskov]

Indeed! I will be in the woods by sunrise this Saturday. Now that I have retired for the 2nd time, I will make up for all the nice days I have missed the past few years! Cheers!

[Dean Romig]

You're killin' me...

[Dave Fuller]

Our 4-day dove total in Missouri was so large I cannot post it here... man its good to be back in the field (never mind the chiggers).

[Bill Bates]

Grouse opened for me lasr weekend. Downside was I couldn't get out until sunday afternoon. I don't know why but 80 degrees plus and green leaves on the trees just doesn't feel like grouse season.

Oh we moved one barely out of the nest bird. I let it fly on without even shouldering my gun.

[Mark Landskov]

Ah, chiggers! Back around 1980, I fell asleep beneath a tree on the bank of a river just outside of Murfreesboro(?) North Carolina and woke up COVERED with little red dots that itched for months! I am glad we don't have them up here.

[Richard Flanders]

I have discovered that there are ruffed grouse around the mine I'm working at! There's lots of spruce grouse but I'm sure that no one, the RGS or fish and game knows that they're here.... they do now that I've sent pics to F&G and to Trigg to forward to RGS. If they're here they have to be in a LOT of country between here and Anchorage and Fairbanks.

There was one little fellah struttin his stuff around this female that had so few feathers that he looked like someone had tossed him into a plucking machine for a few seconds then let him loose. Didn't stop him from displaying what he had and getting into the game. Pretty funny to watch.

Here's Jr. struttin his stuff... He likely can barely even fly he has so few feathers!

[Mark Landskov]

Spruce grouse are uncommon here. I have taken 3 in the past 30 years! All 3 just sat while I waited to see if they would move so I could identify them. They looked like odd shaped tree stumps! Most people here discard them once they realize what they have shot. I actually like the unique taste of them.

[Dave Miles]

You're killin' me...


Dean, we will have whiskey too.
I'll be thinking of you as Richard and I are setting in our easy chairs in the evening, tired dogs by are sides, whiskey in one hand and a fine cigar in the other. Hopefully there will be freshly killed grouse hanging from the rafters.

[Dean Romig]

Now you're really killin' me.... :crying:

[Richard Flanders]

Throwing spruce grouse away??? Sad. They're great eating. Tossing them is only a good idea in winter up here when they are actually eating spruce needles instead of the low bush cranberries they prefer in fall. They taste like they've been marinated in battery acid when they're on to the needles.

[Eric Eis]

Now you're really killin' me.... :crying:

No, not as much as it's killing me....:banghead: I was suppose to join them tomorrow, I was even thinking of hitting a couple of spots before getting to Dave's cottage, and then "life" reared it's ugly head :cuss: Hopefully I get to see some of you guys at the Vintagers next week, but again that all depends on what "life" whats to throw at me then....:eek: Sorry to vent... missing openning weekend, this week "Sucks"

[John Dunkle]

You guys can shoot spruce grouse out your way??? Not back here - they are protected in NH, ME and VT..?

Hey Eric - unfortunately I'm flying down, so no goodies this year, unfortunately??

Best to all!

John

[Richard Flanders]

Spruce grouse protected??!! Now THAT'S funny! I used to shoot at least 40/yr when I lived in a small remote cabin.

[John Dunkle]

Hi Richard,

Nawww - small remote cabins are not protected up here - we can shoot however many we please... ;)

Best to ya'!

JD

[Rich Anderson]

Everybody dies :whistle:

[John Dunkle]

Everybody dies :whistle:
Now you know why I won't bring my dogs out to hunt with you.......

:shock:

:rotf:

Best to you - and TAKE A Digital CAMERA ALONG, OK??

(definition for a shooter of 100 year old guns - A digital camera records and stores photographic images in digital form. Many current models are also able to capture sound or video, in addition to still images. Capture is usually accomplished by use of a photosensor, using a charged coupled device (CCD).These stored images can be uploaded to a computer immediately or stored in the camera for to be uploaded into a computer, website or printer later. Images may also be archived on a photographic compact disc or external hard disk....)

:cheers:

JD

[Eric Eis]

"Hey Eric - unfortunately I'm flying down, so no goodies this year, unfortunately??"

The way my week has been going that is not a surprise :banghead: I just hope I can make to the Vinagers, just waiting for the other shoe to drop.:shock:

[John Dunkle]

The way my week has been going that is not a surprise :banghead: I just hope I can make to the Vinagers, just waiting for the other shoe to drop.:shock: You better be there!! Who else do I trust to spend my money??!! :)

And oh - if you do get there, yes - I'll also buy you that missing shoe if the other doesn't drop? Can't have you walking around with only one shoe - can I???

;)

JD

[Dave Miles]

Hey Anderson, we'll even have a shower this weekend.
I bought a jug of Wet Wipes! :rotf: :bigbye:

[John Dunkle]

Hey Anderson, we'll even have a shower this weekend.
I bought a jug of Wet Wipes! :rotf: :bigbye:
:rotf:
__________ :rotf:
_______________________ :rotf:

Just sayin'....

;)

JD

[David Hamilton]

Shoes and showers are required. You need permission to be out of uniform. :nono:Check the roster for further developments.http://parkerguns.org/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif

[Jack Cronkhite]

Dean, we will have whiskey too.
I'll be thinking of you as Richard and I are setting in our easy chairs in the evening, tired dogs by are sides, whiskey in one hand and a fine cigar in the other. Hopefully there will be freshly killed grouse hanging from the rafters.

Now you're really killin' me.... :crying:

A bit melodramatic there Dean. really killin' ya would be to somehow manage to arrive at camp, find leftovers of a fresh grouse dinner, cigar butts only and just one drop left..........

[Dean Romig]

:biglaugh:

[Eric Eis]

Dave you do run a first class operation, sorry I can't join in on the fun this weekend.... Remember be carefull of Porcupine Hill....

[Dave Miles]

Dave you do run a first class operation, sorry I can't join in on the fun this weekend.... Remember be carefull of Porcupine Hill....



My wife says I'm not allowed to hunt Porky Hill anymore.
We where there last weekend with the dogs, and both my Setters got into a Porky. I dispatched the Porky with my new 1911, but having to pull quils with the wife, is something I don't want to experience again. She had more of a fit about it than the dogs did.

[Eric Eis]

My wife says I'm not allowed to hunt Porky Hill anymore.
We where there last weekend with the dogs, and both my Setters got into a Porky. I dispatched the Porky with my new 1911, but having to pull quils with the wife, is something I don't want to experience again. She had more of a fit about it than the dogs did.

Dave that's damn fine woodcock cover there is no reason for porkys to be in there.. so carry the 45 and kill all of those suckers....:shock: I remember two years ago you and Rich would not let me shoot that porky in the tree, bet you don't feel that way now......:whistle:

Again I am real sorry about missing opening day weekend, you know the other day if I had been carrying.... Anyway leave some beer for me and also is Brian donating ammo for the silent auction? If so we need to figure a way to meet up for me to take to the Vintagers.

[Mike Shepherd]

I went to Montana for the first couple of weeks of September. Hunted several days and had one spectacualar afternoon. That afternoon I got eight partridge, seven over my pointing and backing dogs, and all retrieved to hand. Shot my Parker O Frame 16 gauge and brass shells loaded with black powder and 1oz of #7s. I forgot my camera but took some pictures with my Blackberry. If I can figure out how to get them out of the Blackberry and into the computer I will post them here. I hunted Block Management Areas and had good results.

It is only six weeks untill quail season opens here in Texas!

My wife and I also went to Yellowstone for a couple of days, drove over Beartooth pass, and attended the French Brittany Club annual get together.


I love the Fall!

Best,

Mike

[Mark Ouellette]

Mike,

Send yourself an email from your Chokeberry. Before sending attach a file and search for the photos. They should be easy to find...

Mark

[Francis Morin]

I'll have to check the spelling for the Chiggers in the Tar Heel State- had a TDY at Camp LeJeune -Court House Bay sector- the chiggers were so bad down there in the summer months, plus the 90 % humidity as well- Murfreesborough I think is correct spelling-So I can relate to your story.

Not a grouse man- our two week early "nuisance goose" season ended down here on the 15th- when grouse opens, also squirrels and either sexed wild turkey (NOT the 101 proof version however)--

As far as "Porkys" and the bird dogs- a 1911 A-1 in .45 ACP would sure stop a porky or a raccoon cold-and it might be "declasse" to dispatch either varmint with a fine DHE 28 bore grouse gun. I have been very lucky (so far) as none of my dogs have ever messed with either a skunk or a porky. One wild animal, maybe others like a wolverine, that will attack from above and kill porkys is a fisher- faster than greased lightning too.:bigbye:

[Rich Anderson]

The weekend proved to be one of the best in years. We hunted pretty much all day Friday, Sat afternoon due to rain and Sunday am befor heading for home. We moved 50 birds:shock: 35 Woodcock (unfortunatly the season doen't open for another week:crying: and 15 Grouse:bowdown:. Three Grouse were brought to bag with the trusty Parker Guns. As the Woodcock wern't on the menue these were not reflushed birds being counted and the Grouse that got away all flew off not to be reflushed.

The first time out for the dogs all year and Daisy went right to it like she had been hunting all summer. She's curled up in a chair basking in the sunlight.

[John Dunkle]

Rich......

Outstanding.....

No - really outstanding!! Give Daisy a "group hug" from all of us - and to you?? A wonderful post...

:cheers:

John

[Dave Suponski]

Picture's damnit....We need picture's...:rolleyes:

[Greg Baehman]

It sounds you like you boys had a great weekend with lots of birds!:cheers:, But please help us understand---how does 15 woodcock and 15 grouse total up to be 50 birds? :confused: Could you possibly have been seeing double on some of them because of a little over-indulgence of adult beverages? You've got some splainin' to do.:corn:

[Dean Romig]

Yes, what Dave said!!

[Rich Anderson]

My math skill have always been suspect. I do shoot 100 year old guns you know:rolleyes: The error has been fixed.

The pictures are forever developed in the camera between my ears:rotf:

[Francis Morin]

Moving that many birdies, 15 woodcock and 15 grouse this early, with warm weather and heavy foilage- bodes well for later in Oct. when the "Autumn weather, turns the woods to flame, one hasn't got time, for the slow trigger game"-- with apologies to Johnny Mercer & Co.

Maybe the other 20 birdies were snipe? I saw and handled Eric's fine 16 DHE at the July Lapeer clays event- straight stock? if memory serves. I'm not a grouse or woodcock hunter nowadays, but I'd love to have a Parker like Eric's in my hot little hands for a week of Southern quail and dove shooting- makes you wonder how a man could ever miss with a fine gun like that--:bigbye:

[Eric Eis]

You know guys, I am really and I mean really getting tired about hearing about this weekend that I was suppose to be on......:banghead: Even Magic (my setter) is pissed off at me for missing this weekend and I didn't even tell about the phone call from Rich about the 50 birds:shock: If I had he would be hitchhiking up north to Rich's place or Dave's. Can we have a "Do over":) for the beganning of this week.....!

[John R. Richards]

Eric:

You think you're getting tired of hearing about "THAT" weekend ...what about us poor souls down South that have too wait until October 15th when the grouse season finally opens. For the time being the best we can do is shoot at doves. Please notice I said "shoot at". By the way, chiggers go away when the weather gets cold, hard frost in the morning, and stays that way for a few days.
I really envy you guys that are now able to chase the big brown bird this early..

John

[Mark Landskov]

I walked for 8 hours yesterday and saw 6 grouse. Cripes! The brush is so thick and the grass waist deep in September that I can't see the birds until they are a blur heading deeper into the woods! Today I managed to scare up 4 in a cozy little group. I missed the first one and bagged the 3rd one, so I didn't get completely skunked! This was my RBL's 'maiden voyage'. As soon as I get my Plain Twist barrels back from Brad Bachelder, I will give the ol' Lifter a whirl. Maybe Wednesday I will try the LeFever. It is nice, working on my 2nd retirement! I can hit the woods when most people are working. Cheers!

[Rich Anderson]

Eric you are gonna be 0 for 2 as you will miss the Quail hunt next weekend also. The good news is we will get together the following weekend as you will be bringing my CHE 20 back with you from the Vintagers:)

[Eric Eis]

Eric you are gonna be 0 for 2 as you will miss the Quail hunt next weekend also. The good news is we will get together the following weekend as you will be bringing my CHE 20 back with you from the Vintagers:)

Maybe, I am not sure and Magic is not sure. When you think about it, that gun could cover my trip costs and pay for some of the repairs on the old house , which is where I am headed right now (hey Rich remember how my "old friend" treated me about the house, may I should take the same atittude:eek:) Just kidding, sorry missing openning weekend with you guys and dealing with this just plain Sucks :cuss:

[Larry Frey]

Eric you are gonna be 0 for 2 as you will miss the Quail hunt next weekend also. The good news is we will get together the following weekend as you will be bringing my CHE 20 back with you from the Vintagers:)

Rich,
I just got off the phone with Russ. I'm meeting him early on Thursday to pick up a couple of my guns. He won't be at the show very long due to a new litter of pup's that need tending to. If you want me to get yours and hold it till Eric arrives just let me know by Wednesday evening.

[Eric Eis]

Larry I will answer for Rich, yes please get it from Russ as Terry and I will not be getting there until Thursday evening.

[Larry Frey]

Ok Eric but please take your time. I know quite a few people that can't wait to get that little 20 out on the sporting clays course.:bigbye:

[Eric Eis]

Maybe we can get it well broken in before the weekend is over......:corn:

[Dave Suponski]

Count me in........I'll help out....:rolleyes:

[John Dunkle]

Count me in too.. I'll buy all the ammo I intend to shoot through that little CHE 20...??

Hope that helps - yet somehow - I'm certain it doesn't??

;)

John

[Dave Miles]

Hell, I'll donate 10 cases of ammo for you guys to run through the gun before Anderson gets it. How about a bottle of Grouse blood to splatter on it too. :rotf:

[Eric Eis]

:cool:Hell Dave, Rich still thinks he is going to get it back......:rotf: I mean think about this Larry is getting the gun from Russ, I am getting it from Larry, also before that all of the people required to "test fire" it, it could easy get lost.:shock: I don't offer any promises, if he wanted the gun he should have had Russ send it UPS......UPS offers insurance, I don't.......:p

[Dave Suponski]

Hmm... Lets see now..After all that shootin at clay birds it probably should go to Vermont for some grouse huntin and then maybe...well who knows..Anderson should see it sometime around Janurary. He should really know better.....

[Jack Kuzepski]

Mark,

What were you doing in Murfreesboro NC around 1980? I went to Chowan College 69-71and probably spent as much time hunting as in the class room or studying. The river was the Meherrin River. And yes that area is notorious for chiggers, I still scratch when I think about them!

Jack Kuzepski

[Rich Anderson]

What are friends for???:whistle: The only one of you who could even hope to shoot it reasonably well is Larry as the LOP is 14 3/4. But go ahead and give her a try.

[Dave Suponski]

Rich,You ARE da man....Sooo when do ya want it back? How about January?

[John Dunkle]

How about Janurary? You mean January 2014??? Right? ;)

JD

[Mark Landskov]

Jack, I was stationed aboard the USS San Diego out of Norfolk. On weekends a bunch of guys would get together and pick somewhere to go and kick back for a day or two. That is how we ended up at the Meherrin River. A couple of locals stopped by and then jumped off the bridge for kicks! Those two fellows laughed when I showed them the little red dots all over me! "Them's chiggers!", they said. Those little spots itched for months, it seemed. Especially the ones between my fingers and toes. Uff Da!

[Rich Anderson]

How about October 2010? John if your real good (and put in spell check) maybe I'll bring it to Addyville and maybe just maybe mind you you can shoot it.

It's just a CHE 20...restocked no less...not original...but with a very nice piece of Turkish walnut :)

[Dean Romig]

But go ahead and give her a try.

Sounds to me like "Permission granted."

Whatever happens from now on with that gun my money's on Dunkle gaining full possesion (read "ownership") of it very soon after Larry turns it over to Eric and we all have a go at it.

:corn:

[Rich Anderson]

Ownership transfer which is ever so doubtfull would require generous amounts of libation and lots of zeros. Given the fact I won't be there to partake in the libations transfer of ownership isn't likely:nono:

[John Dunkle]

....Whatever happens from now on with that gun my money's on Dunkle gaining full possesion (read "ownership") of it very soon after Larry turns it over to Eric and we all have a go at it...Apparently, Vegas just opened betting odds on the same?? ;) Anyway, I won't be "stingy" with that little CHE - and in fact, will make it the PGCA "rack gun" for the duration of the week in MD??. In other words, anyone who wants to try a round with it just needs to sign it out for a bit..??

Just a thought..??

John

[John Dunkle]

Ownership transfer which is ever so doubtfull would require generous amounts of libation and lots of zeros. Given the fact I won't be there to partake in the libations transfer of ownership isn't likely:nono: Not a problem.. I'll consume the libations on your behalf and send a check home with Eric - meeting your requirements of "lots of zeros"...

as in: $1.00000000000

Thanks again Rich!!!

:)

John

[Eric Eis]

John, if you want me to make this transfer a certain DH 20 ga needs to come my way......:rolleyes:

[Richard Flanders]

I've had porkys trying to live under my office here at the mine all summer. A dbl spring #12 Newhouse and a K-22 work well on them....

[Dean Romig]

I have a couple of skunks digging for grubs in my lawn :eek: Rich, I'll pay your airfare if you'll come down and trap them for me..... otherwise I'll just let them keep right on doin' what skunks do. :whistle:

[Larry Frey]

Dean,
I was told that if you sneak up behind them and lift them up by the tail they are unable to spray.:eek: Good luck and let me know how you make out.:)

[Dean Romig]

Larry, I have a hilarious story to tell you about a long time ago when I was teaching a young guy to trap. There is a skunk involved and another old wives tale about preventing them from spraying....

I'll tell you at the meeting.

[Dave Miles]

I have a couple of skunks digging for grubs in my lawn :eek: Rich, I'll pay your airfare if you'll come down and trap them for me..... otherwise I'll just let them keep right on doin' what skunks do. :whistle:

Dean,
I had the same problem last year. I opened the back slider in the middle of the night. Seen the skunk, and nailed it with a pellet gun. Bad choice. He sprayed his juice right by the open bedroom window. Wife was pissed for 3 days at me over that stunt. :rotf:

[Dave Suponski]

Skunks huh? How about this...last summer I opened my shed to get the mower out...Damn thing wouldn,t move...gave a good hard yank ...out it came...one problem though there was a skunk sleeping under it! This happened twice and he never sprayed....:shock: I dumped a box of moth balls in there and Mr. Skunk was never seen again....:rolleyes:

Why are we talkin about skunk's anyway.....:corn:

[John Dunkle]

John, if you want me to make this transfer a certain DH 20 ga needs to come my way......:rolleyes:
Hey Eric!

As you know - I have more than a couple of D grade 20s??? Did you have a particular one in mind..???

As well - I'll have to shoot that little C grade for most of the day - just to be sure it fits OK?? I know Rich said it had like a 32" LOP or something? Nothing a sawzall can't fix right up..???

:cheers:

Yer' Buddy,

John

[Rich Anderson]

John send that little 410 to me for Woodcock season. It deserves to be used by someone who can hit something with it:rotf:

Your math skills are just as terrible as mine as you have missplaced your decible point. IF we had spell chek I'd be able to correct my spelling of decible but I'm sure you get the point.

[John Dunkle]

John send that little 410 to me for Woodcock season. It deserves to be used by someone who can hit something with it:rotf:

Your math skills are just as terrible as mine as you have missplaced your decible point. IF we had spell chek I'd be able to correct my spelling of decible but I'm sure you get the point.:rotf:
___________ :rotf:
____________________ :rotf:

;)

John

[Dave Suponski]

Mr. Anderson...If after you finish composing your post you right click on the post a box will pop up and in it is the phrase "Check spelling". I use Windows XP and it works fine for me there buddy.....:whistle:

[Eric Eis]

Hey Eric!

As you know - I have more than a couple of D grade 20s??? Did you have a particular one in mind..???



Yer' Buddy,

John

Oh so you have a bunch of them....:) You know the one I am talking about, the one that has those funny barrels that are not safe to shoot, the only one that I need to complete my collection of DH damascus you know that one.....:eek:

[Rich Anderson]

You have right and left clicks? Is that like front and rear triggers? It took years to learn to use a gun with two triggers.:banghead:

[Dave Suponski]

Nevermind.....

[Rich Anderson]

Now thats no way to be:rolleyes: I tried it and there was no spell check:cuss:

[Fred Preston]

We're packing up for a four day campout in the bush of Oscoda County starting Saturday. Woodcock are in then and the reports are that there should be a fair number af them woods chickens to give us fits. I have the first aid kit with forecepts and needle nose pliers in case Pete gets stupid with a porkey. We'll have about eight of us with ten or so dogs (tag teams). The larder is being assembled with sufficient BS medicine for the campfire. The short barrelled VH is ready if I am and Pete's fired up.

John D., Tom Wooden has kindly informed me that I am good to go through 10/1/11; I'll pay more attention to due dates from now on.

Fred

[John Dunkle]

....John D., Tom Wooden has kindly informed me that I am good to go through 10/1/11; I'll pay more attention to due dates from now on... Hi Fred,

No problem - and yes you are current once again! We got your renewal a few days ago - and that was processed on the 20th..

Many thanks!

John

[Francis Morin]

But I like our brother in AK with the #12 trap and a S&W K-22 masterpiece in hand. One sweet .22 wheelgun indeed. One I don't have (yet) but I'm not cryin' in my mug o'Guinness- My Dad loved his Colts, praises be- and left them all to me- my favorite .22 handgun is the Colt Match Target Woodsman with the so-called "elephant eared" handgrips he bought new in about 1939- in the box with papers, extra magazine and cleaning swab- still a 10X ring special= never have shot a skunk or a porky (yet) with it though.

A farmer trapper friend once told me the trick on "de-fusing" a skunk- you have to tuck his tail up under his belly, thus covering up the "dual exhaust pipes" he uses to perfume the atmosphere. As skunks, like raccoons, possums, fox and coyote, are highly rabid, and have teeth and claws, I don't believe I'd try that stunt- a .22 HP or a load of No. 6's to the head is my plan A- and B--

Good luck and good shooting to all PGCA lads attending the Vintagers and also the Fall Southern shootfests, no matter whose 20 is being "test fired"

[Fred Preston]

Thanks John. I was going to mention (sort of OT, but what the heck) that the October "American Hunter" has some nice stories/articles on grousing. I've noticed that the quality of the writing has been getting pretty good in the past few issues.

Fred

[Fred Preston]

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.

[Mark Landskov]

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!

[Rich Anderson]

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.

[Jack Cronkhite]

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
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/cpg1410/albums/userpics/normal_20061031_IMG_9467s.JPG

CHARLIE
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/cpg1410/albums/userpics/28884/normal_IMG_5444sgw.jpg

[Mark Landskov]

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!

[Rich Anderson]

I have never seen or heard of Grouse getting worms:eek: 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.

[Mark Landskov]

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 Dunkle]

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

Uggghhhhh.....!!!!

JD

[Mark Landskov]

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.

[Bill Bates]

I have had some great weekend hikes in the mountains while carrying a shotgun. I would call it grouse hunting but the game bag says thats a lie. My poor dog is wondering why I keep taking where there so few birds. It been hot and windy and yesterday a thunder storm blew through but we still had a great weekend on the mountain. The weather babe says Fall weather is coming mid week.

Here are a few snap shots from this weekend.

heading out for some blue/dusky grouse
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/image/129108425.jpg

A couple of years ago we shoot our limit in just a few minutes on the ridge in the background...this year not a bird.

http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/image/129108430.jpg

Me admiring the GH

http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/image/129108428.jpg

me and Timber on saturday morning taking a break ... forgive me but thats my little H&H/Webley & Scott.

http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/image/129053257.jpg

[John R. Richards]

Mark:

I was corresponding with the senior biologist for The Ruffed Grouse Society yesterday and mentioned your thread on finding worms in the grouse. He stated that he had seen worms in both ruffed grouse and pheasant and they were not in the meat, but between the skin and the meat. Further, he said he may have eaten one or two from cooked grouse, they were not harmful, but that most folks just couldn't get past the thought of eating the bird that had them. I'll be in Wisconsin grouse hunting next week near the UP border and I hope we don't find them in any of the grouse we take. If you need further information contact Mark Banker, Senior Biologist for RGS.

John

[Mark Landskov]

Thank you, John. Our DNR website had an article stating that the worms were harmless if the meat was prepared properly. They definitely were under the skin, not in the meat or digestive tract. The large ones were about 2" long and the little ones were about an inch. I am afraid that I am one of those that can't bring myself to eat the bird after finding a bunch of worms! Good luck with your hunt. Cheers!

[Francis Morin]

I love to cook wild game birds and also venison. If I have some upland birds with lead pellets and purple flesh from clotted blood, I soak for 48 hours in a covered ceramic pot like you might use to make sauerkraut)-- I dissolve about half a cup of Morton's Kosher salt in warm water, then stir that into about 3-4 quarts of cold tap water, and put the gutted birds, whether skinned or not, into that and let stand for two days in a cool place.

Then I disjoint the birds, and cut away any visible damaged flesh, then marinate for 24 hours in Vernor's ginger ale- pat dry, pepper, wrap in bacon and sweet onion slices (heavy with the bacon) place in a Corning ware glass cooking dish, seal tightly with Reynold's wrap, and place in a 350 degree preheated oven- about 75 minutes- remove, let stand with the foil on for 10 minutes, serve with wild rice and mushrooms and a fine chilled Mosel, Piesporter or Liebfraumilch--wild greens salad and Parker house rolls of course

[John R. Richards]

Good Lord, I got hungry just reading that......

John

[Mark Landskov]

I brought home two male Ruffies today. When I picked up the second one, I thought he had to be the biggest bird I ever shot! I know, just like the old story when the biggest fish got away! But, I weighed this bird before dressing it out and it weighed 1-1/2 pounds. I will do a 'Google' and see what the averages are. Any of you ever get curious and weigh your birds? Cheers!

USDA/MN DNR says 1 to 1-3/4 pounds.