Francis,
Growing up in NJ, and hunting back in the 60's, there were restrictions on taking hen birds when there was more farmland and the impetus was conservation back then. There were certain zones you could not take a hen bird. It's a little different today. Hunting and game management seems to be geared towards instant gratification for the hunter.
Sam comes out of Bayview Setters, LeGrangeville NY. Dan Catalano was the breeder, but I don't think he's running a kennel anymore. Dan line-bred Setters for the last 55 years or so. He hasn't registered a litters in years. If you email me at
nayseokevin@gmail.com, I can give you more in-depth detail on Sam and his past. I wouldn't want to bore everyone else here as I know this is a Parker gun site.
Richard,
The last few times I've been to Maine I've noticed grouse moving/running a lot. I also noticed more coyotes up there every year compared to the past. I've been traveling to Maine since 1970, as I'd notice little things like this. My suspicions are the birds may be adapting to heavy predation and decided to get legs and run a little more? I dunno. Certainly changes the game a bit. Grouse can sometimes be the dumbest game bird in the book and seem easy to bag, but they are also infamous for disappearing like the proverbial ghost.
BTW - 200 yards uphill from where I snapped the top picture, there is a location of hemlock, pine and grapevine tangles where I've taken grouse in the past. This area you need to be prepared for anything.