It turned into a magnificent fall day abour 45 degrees and bright sun. A little breezy for good grouse hunting as they are a little jumpy on windy days.
The first hour produced no points, no flushes, and no action at all. But as the covers dried out we got into some action. Gracie pointed then flushed a big brown cock grouse and I cartwheeled him and he disappeared behind some cedar greenery. Jamie was on the other side and, honestly, the bird came busting out the other side. He shot but didn’t connect. We never saw that bird again. More points, more flushes and more shots fired. I said to Jamie that we should be ashamed of ourselves... until...
Gracie went on point about 10 yards from me. I thought it would be a woodcock but it wasn’t. I released Gracie for the flush and up flew this nice little hen partridge. It was a classic station 8 low house and with one shot with my little 28 gauge prom queen I took its head clean off.
I LMAO long and loud.
.
__________________
"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
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