16 ga parker

I'm not that good at hitting flying things so I'll be hitting the woods this year with my new to me Ithaca Mag 10 with 24" barrels with no plug throwing an 1 5/8oz. 9's. I hope Rich's new dog can retrieve pieces of birds. My back up gun will be a VH 28 in case the Ithaca does'nt work out as a bird gun.:rolleyes::eek:

Can't wait.

I have yet to go grouse hunting but want to very much, based on the fun you guys have. One day and hopefully soon. I do plan to do some Lowcountry woodcock hunting

Mills,
I hope you get to chase grouse -- it's quite a challenge. Will you be hunting woodcock anywhere near where Archibald Rutledge lived/hunted? We have 'cock come though Northern Missouri on their way to Louisiana, and there are days when conditions are right that we get 25-35 flushes an hour...but only in great years.

BTW, I really enjoyed your article on "Beater" guns!

Another wanna be grouse hunter here in the South. I have a nice little CHE 20 with 26” barrels that would do the trick. I will settle for the cornfield in the AM for some dove shooting.

Reggie,

Back "in the day" I hunted woodcock at Reelfoot Lake in the 2nd (late) season. We had good hunts and when the birds were in, things were excellent. I also hunted grouse in Tennessee and had decent luck at Catoosa and in the mountains near Unicoi. I'm sure things are not as good now as tree cutting has become a thing of the past in the Cherokee NF. You should consider taking that little 26" CHE to Minnesota. It would be a great "poke-and-shoot" grouse gun. Even in a down year, there are lots of birds and LOTS of cover. They still cut trees in the North Woods!

Good luck with your dove hunt. We still have dove in North Missouri, so I'll send some down to you when the wether cools.

In 2016 saw 17 porcupine in the Lewistown, MT area hunting in early October, 2017 while Pheasant Hunting in Coffee Creek, MT young pup had first up close and personal encounter with porcupine.
Hunting sage grouse with 30 inch barreled GH 12 gauge last week of September and Sharptail and huns with 28 inch barreled pre-1913 16 gauge Fox first week in October in central Montana.

A good friend of mine hunted grouse in the southern Appalachians around Brevard. One day, and hopefully soon

No thought required, nor backups either. My repro 20, pg, splinter, dt, and choked .004 &.008. It has been my go to gun for grouse ever since I bought it many years ago. I'll get it to the clays range shortly to limber it up. The clock is ticking!

George,

I was astounded at how many porcupines there were in the grasslands of Montana, and my encounters were similar to yours.

Good luck on your upcoming Montana hunts!