Banded Grouse with a “Merkel”.
 

Today was a great day at Connecticut Hill in Central NY. 2 grouse in the bag out of 4 that we (3 of us) moved. The second was a big male that was banded by DEC. the one guy we were bunting with has grouse hunted forever and he said he had never taken a banded bird. Anyone else?

Taken with a Merkel actioned 12g finished by Paul Mossier. I decided this to be my new hunting gun for the foreseeable future.

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nice bird but them claws are huge for a grouse....charlie

I like that Merkel!

Congratulations! I’ve taken one banded grouse (Ohio) in over 30 years of chasing them. Where’s that band going? Mine is on a chain with other talismans that I wear when hunting.

I have not figured that out yet.

Brian, nice going, I have never heard of a NY banded grouse. I have shot a banded woodcock in Maine but that was over 20 years ago.

Beautiful gun Brian. My Dad had both a 16 & 12 that I wish he never let go(especially the 16). Both handled like a dream and were absolutely well finished and beautiful. Have not been able to find anything close to date.

Nice bird and band, shot with a very nice gun. I love my Merkel even if it is a OU. I am always concerned about damaging this 16 gauge so it doesn’t get out a lot.

Nice going Brian. I had no idea that grouse were ever banded. Must be a trick to catch one live and put the band on it:shock::shock:

Steve, you hold them upside down, put their head under their wing and rotate them in a counter-clockwise motion and they go to sleep. Then you can easily put a band on their leg. When you position them right-side-up they wake up and fly off never knowing what happened.





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