Thanks, Dean. So, I've hunted in Scrubapple coverts in SE MN and NE Iowa and never knew it! Some day I may hunt some New England grouse...some day...

'Til then, I'll watch posts like yours and keep wishing.

Dean

Thanks for taking us along!! It's got to be special to have grown old, I mean up, with that land and those trees. I am sure you feel a bond to that land having shared the lure of it with your father and now with a granddaughter. I think that's heady stuff.

Dean, I agree with Chris. I was always told, "a bad day of hunting is better than a good day at work". I agree!

Thanks for those thoughts Brett.
It’s hard to put into words about my relationship with the land and the trees but I guess they know me sometimes better than I know myself. They’ve been quietly watching me all these years loving the land and watching the ever so gradual changes... the births of some of the trees and the subsequent harvest of them for lumber... and now the new growth where they were that will soon become bedding areas for deer and nesting places for the grouse. It’s been a richly rewarding relationship we’ve had, and now my grandkids will know of my love and respect for my old friends.

Sorry to get sappy but it all runs pretty deep.





.

Dean

I know it because I’ve lived it. And that time spent with the young of you will live on. It’s a great gift that can’t be lost or sold.

I don’t have grandkids yet, but Grandpa did for me just the same as you. I am still here 50 years down the glide of time walking the same property . All but the ground has changed berry bushes to scrub thickets to stout girthed cherry. The grouse are long gone, but every so often I find a hull and I know it is very likely I know who left it.

I used to agree with that as well ! Now I figure if I wake up and am breathing it’s a good day :rotf:

I enjoyed your post Dean.....As a kid and young person I never had to drive to go hunting. We walked out the back door or couple miles at most to do all our hunting. In 1965 I was 10, hunted with a home made sling shot and killed way too many birds with it. I lived on a dead end road with overgrown farms, new homes started to pop up and new developments too. We had wild quail and roosters too, I would see them getting gravel on our road edge. I remember in 1966 they brought in the big dozers and pans and ended all of that...)-: They built the southern park mall and the quail were gone forever. Now you cannot shoot a gun in that township! It all SUCKS.....Now to do any wild bird hunting it requires long drives, motels and week long stays. These are not the good old days but good hunting does happen from time to time and there are some bright spots. I am thankful for that. Wisconsin grouse counts are up they say. I hope you get to go Brett....(-: I head to the U.P. on the 19th.....SXS Ohio

Kenny - that sounds just like the “progress” that happened to the “out the back door” hunting areas of my youth and I do agree... it SUCKS.





.

Late yesterday we hit the upper edge of the Scrubapple Hillside and flushed three woodcock and 7 grouse. We only took three shots... foliage is still thick on the trees yet. Nothing in the bag but a good hunt none the less.
This morning the meadow below camp is covered in white frost. 29 degrees right now at 7:25 a.m.





.

Yip-eee Dean! You have fun doing what we love! SXS