Originally Posted by Dylan Rhodes (Post 361109)

I tend to make room in my hunting schedule for all the guns I own to get out at least once, but at the end of the day it’s the covers I hunt that define which ones see the most action. Being from a state where grouse are few and far between, and pheasants are essentially put and take, I find myself against the grain in the classic double world by desiring short barreled small chambered guns. Both for the lightness of the gun on long grouse walks and the fact I spend my time crawling through the places where no one else wants to for pheasants. So my 20 gauge lc smith, fox and Ithaca SKB’s get the nod for now. Being my collection is just beginning and a nice sub gauge graded gun from a prominent maker takes a little financial planning - I hope someday to have more options in these smaller gauge and barrel length configurations..But my 28” 12’s get their dose of vitamin D.

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon (Post 361117)

Dylan, I spent quite a few years chasing grouse in SE Ohio. I wish you could have known it back then…or did you?

Originally Posted by Dylan Rhodes (Post 361118)

My hunting career started in about 2005, so I did not. I have heard the stories of the days of old here when a dog wasn’t necessary and running out of shells was a real problem. I’ve witnessed the decline and now am seeing a mild resurgence in my area. We used to put 10 birds a day in the air when I was in high school 07-11 and then it slowly diminished to about 1-2 in 2018…then things started coming back up. just this last year I averaged 13. So I am holding out hope. However, they seem smarter than before. 13 in the air but if you were able to get close enough to 1-2 a day to get a decent shot your lucky. Most are 30 yards out and you hear the and catch them headed off through the woods….


Still more fun to me than going and popping a couple newly released pheasants though.

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis (Post 361133)

The most nostalgic gun I own is my big HE grade, 32" barreled, 3" chambered Fox duck gun. It has been a regular worrier of ducks ever since I acquired it, maybe 15 yrs. ago (?). I take it to Arkansas every year for ducks and, with bismuth, it has never let me down. Three years ago I went 6 for 6 with it. It is Thor's hammer, on ducks.

It is likely the last S X S I'd ever part with.

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon (Post 361150)

13 flushes in a day of hunting— in Ohio?!?!? I would not complain about that (and I keep those coverts secret).

Originally Posted by Dylan Rhodes (Post 361157)

Oh no, sorry for that confusion. I do most of my hunting in PA. The grouse are north of the Allegheny national forest.

Originally Posted by Dylan Rhodes (Post 361157)

Oh no, sorry for that confusion. I do most of my hunting in PA. The grouse are north of the Allegheny national forest.

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon (Post 361151)

Stan, I hope you never have to part with your Fox or have to decide on your last gun (especially remembering your exploits dove shooting with a .410).:)

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis (Post 361262)

Thanks, my friend. I hope so, too. I do seem quite a paradox, I guess, with my love for big duck guns and little .410s, at the same time. However, there is a common thread here ........... loooong barrels.

Rather than deciding on a "last gun" I seem to be going the opposite direction. :eek: I made an offer on a 29" barreled English .410 ejector gun yesterday, with 3" chambers and heavy nitro proof. We'll see.