Early UP Trip

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I made a last minute decision to make an early, short trip to the UP. The temps had been ok, but the heat came back about time I got there. I knew it would be thick and green with little window of opportunity to shoot. I moved birds but mostly heard them, with only an occasional glimpse and rare shot even though the birds were pointed. I did manage to take 1 bird per day with the little VHE 20.. Early morning temps were already in the mid 50's when I hit the ground each day around 7:30. I wore an orange T-shirt to hunt in. i probably wouldn't go up this early again--live and learn, but still had a good time. I'll be headed back up there around Oct 17 thru Nov 3. Looking forward to seeing pics from everyones trip.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Pics

[Brett Farley]

Harold, thanks for posting. I made a short trip up to the Northern Lower for opening day (9/15). Same story there. Morning temp was 46 but by 11:30 it was mid 70’s and 80 by 1:30. Rosey pointed four grouse and I flushed two and never saw a feather! Thick is an understatement. Going to give it a whirl later this week. Temps still warmer than I’d like to see.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Brett, I had thought about hunting the Northern lower, would sure be alot closer, but I havent hunted it before, and conditions would make it very difficult to scout/find covers in unfamiliar territory. I may try it late season.

[Garry L Gordon]

Harold, we used to always make the MN opener about the middle of September. As I go older, I could not take the heat, or at least, I no longer wanted to hunt in those conditions. Still, I miss the early hunts, and will enjoy them vicariously thanks to your posts.

I hope to see more reports!