A Few UP Photos

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Willie on a grouse point, I missed.
A true double on aspen.
Going in over a grouse point with Doodle, I made that shot., photo wouldn't load.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Doodle

[Chris Pope]

Great photos- thanks for posting.

Kind of like the pattern on that tree! I've had similar patterns this year. (:

[Stephen Hodges]

Nice pics Harold, have fun and stay safe:)

[Mills Morrison]

That is something I need to do before time gets away

[William Woods]

Willie on a grouse point, I missed.
A true double on aspen.
Going in over a grouse point with Doodle, I made that shot., photo wouldn't load.

That limb may be a bit hard to fit into your vest.

Thanks for posting.

[Dave Tatman]

Great photos, Harold! You need to stop sometime on your way to the UP and hunt the Northern Lower Peninsula with me and my boy, Beau. Kenny Graft could join us, as well. He spent a week here earlier this season.

Dave

[Harold Lee Pickens]

A few more.
Fancy, my 12 year old has been still going strong.
Willie getting a little love, and a few minutes later killed the bird over this point.
My friend Terry and his lab Ski.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Willie, and that's a Beretta BL3 20.
It rained ,snowed, and a rainbow appeared.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Some days you can't hit sh**.
This wasn't one of those days.

[Dean Romig]

Harold, I’ve found a few drumming logs like that over the years in VT. They sure get my juices flowing!





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[Garry L Gordon]

Harold, good to see your reports! Looks like your trip is a good one. Thanks for sharing.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Another good day, carried the Scottish 20 ga with 30 in twist cyl/cyl barrels.
I hit the 5th bird (limit) but couldn't recover it wit Willie.

[John Taddeo]

Great shooting there Harold... I also spent this past weekend in the U.P. and what a beautiful time it was to be in the coverts there... Even stopped in for a visit with Kenny (SXS Ohio) one evening, Having a few cold beverages and a fantastic dinner compliments of Kim (Mrs. SXS Ohio) ... I left the Vogel Hund girls in Pa and opted for my Englishman and a little PH 20 bore... The dog work and the little Parker finished off a perfect hunt making for wonderful weekend...

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Good times, heard you hunted with Kevin Clark, I hunted with him in Kansas years ago. I too have a PH20 with fluid steel barrels.

[Gary Kephart]

Great pics sounds like a great trip.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

REPORT DOUBLE
Some day I'll get smart when hunting. Started out heading east early morning i.to blinding sun hitting all the frost covered weeds and branches like sparkling diamonds.
Doodle hit a point and I knew I was in trouble but managed to get around her with my back to the sun. 5 birds got up in total, couldn't see the first 3, but then had a flush and dropped it, then another flush and dropped it. Both birds nicely retrieved by Doodle. Shot them with a Beretta BL3 20, as Garry Gordon once said, nothing wrong with a sexy Italian.
That afternoon switched to my 28 Ugartechea and dropped this nice cock bird, also over Doodle.
Willie is limping on her right front foot, so held her up today.
Quit early and back at cabin relaxing.

[John Taddeo]

Yes Sir, Kevin and His little firecracker of a Vizsla, Tika.. Fantastic weather to be there with the feel and smells of fall along with good bird numbers that keep a ruffed grouse addict out all day.. I would say to anyone who hasn't tried the dance with ole ruff to do so, you will wonder where the time goes in a day pursuing him... Harold, would that be your PH 20 pictured with the beautiful chestnut red phase bird??

[Harold Lee Pickens]

John, that's my VHE 20, has barrels that were cut to 26 in when I bought it.
My PH 20 has 28 in fluid steel barrels and is rather heavy at 6 3/4 lb. But only has 2 3/8 drop at heel

[Garry L Gordon]

REPORT DOUBLE
Some day I'll get smart when hunting. Started out heading east early morning i.to blinding sun hitting all the frost covered weeds and branches like sparkling diamonds.
Doodle hit a point and I knew I was in trouble but managed to get around her with my back to the sun. 5 birds got up in total, couldn't see the first 3, but then had a flush and dropped it, then another flush and dropped it. Both birds nicely retrieved by Doodle. Shot them with a Beretta BL3 20, as Garry Gordon once said, nothing wrong with a sexy Italian.
That afternoon switched to my 28 Ugartechea and dropped this nice cock bird, also over Doodle.
Willie is limping on her right front foot, so held her up today.
Quit early and back at cabin relaxing.

You look like you're having just too much fun, Harold. Thanks for spreading the joy.

BTW, beware of sexy Italians...unless they're will to let you buy guns.:rotf:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Carried the VHE 20 today. Got the first two I shot at with old Fancy missed the next 6.
Doodle on point.

[Garry L Gordon]

So glad you're having a good hunt, and you pups are into birds. Keep those photos coming!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

The big cock bird reminds me so much of those Appalachian eastern ohio grouse I grew up with. Made me sit and reminisce about the many wonderful hunts back home.

[Garry L Gordon]

The big cock bird reminds me so much of those Appalachian eastern ohio grouse I grew up with. Made me sit and reminisce about the many wonderful hunts back home.

Those were the days for sure. How sad they are gone.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Well, some days your hot and some ice cold--- but today was smokin hot.
Interesting morning, saw 2 bald eagles and a female mink driving in.
1. Shot 2 birds over Fancy, almost 13, with the little Scottish hammer gun, 20 ga.
2. Killed 3 birds over Willie.
3. Self portrait
4. Willie on point, and yes bird was there.
5.5 bird limit.
6 birds.
7.Willie and birds.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

A few more

[Kevin McCormack]

Harold, you are crushing it! The pic of the 2 birds with the Scot hammer gun on the gnarly old stump is magazine cover worthy!! Also deserves a wee dram and a fine imported cigar!!!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Hey Kevin, love to share a Scotch with you, never developed a taste for cigars.
Hope to see you at Hausmann's, actually ran into Ernie and Steve Cobb up here, and Kenny Graft also..
Leaving Friday morning after 23 days hunting, I am bushed!
By the way, I'm Scotch/Welsh

[edgarspencer]

By the way, I'm Scotch/Welsh
Ya know Harold, A Welshman is Just an Irishman who can swim.

[Garry L Gordon]

Excellent report and great pictures, Harold.

Got any late season Kansas trips on the horizon? I’ll expect a few WV quail hunt reports, too. Keep at it!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Garry, right now late season plans are for South Dakota mid January.
Not ruling out another run up to the UP in December.
Tomorrow is my last day here, leaving 1 day early. Was very windy today and hard time finding birds until the late afternoon hunt with Willie. She went from point to point and I kept missing with both barrels until I was down to the two shells in the gun. Two points, two shots later, walked back to the truck with 2 birds.

[Daryl Corona]

Are you in Australia??:)

[Dean Weber]

Harold,
Nicely done! What is the fan looking thing between the kennels? Is that a heater? If so, how and when do you use it?

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Dean, yes, a little electric heater that I use to keep the dogs warm. Although I am allowed to bring the dogs in the cabin, 3 dogs is a bit much and often keep me from sleeping well. The cap of course blocks the wind and the heater keeps the inside a comfortable 50 degrees. I hunt hard and want my dogs to rest well, not using their energy to stay warm. I always carry a 50 ft electric cord with me. My old dog Fancy gets to stay in with me.
In SD, I do bring all three in, just too cold in January..
Forgot to edit the picture before posting.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

WHAT LOGGERS DO FOR FUN
Similar to the Inuksuit found in the arctic regions, these stone structures are often found in logging areas. Would require heavy equipment , guess they just have a sense of humor.