I had the opportunity to hunt in the Upper Peninsula with Rich Anderson and his friend Jamie. We did get into quite a few Woodcock and Jamie managed to bring back a few grouse. I missed my only grouse shot. I kept hearing "Jack, you gotta shoot, this ain't the prairies and you'll never get a better opportunity than the one second sighting". I also became familiar with the term "spray and pray". I found the popple stands to be great barriers to free movement of the barrels on any attempted swing. I witnessed the bagging of one young aspen at short range while the grouse disappeared. The dogs Daisy and Clara worked very well but I seldom saw them, just heard the bell and then the beepers when a point was established. If the point was 30 or 40 yards away, it was a bit of a struggle to get to the dogs but they waited patiently. We did dine like kings when not in the woods. I had never eaten woodcock and found it a tasty meat when done medium rare. It was also strange to see the leg meat was white and the breast meat dark.
After a day in the woods, the hunters and the dogs relaxed. Dogs crashed, while the guys enjoyed a beer or whiskey or both. A couple cigars smoldered away as well. A DVD movie would follow supper and since there was no popcorn, whiskey re-appeared. Then sleep, wake-up, eat, hunt, eat, relax and repeat for as many days as you can stay. That was four for me plus another four days of driving for the round trip.
Only had the cell phone along for pics, so not the best.
The grounds at grouse camp
Inside the "lodge" where a dog can take a cat-nap
The trail into the woods
Yes Jack, we are going to walk through this great cover. Be quick to shoot.
Trees to block the barrels or the shot or to smack you upside the head when you aren't paying enough attention
My first woodcock. Parker VH 16ga and RST 7's
Second woodcock. Darne R-17 20ga with RST 7 1/2's
Relaxing after the hunt. Rich is a bit bewildered by Canadian beer.
Really relaxing after the hunt
A perfect breakfast with all the proper table setting that befits grouse camp
BUSTED
10-25-2015, 04:06 PM
It was a good time though the weather was a bit warm with temps in the low to mid 60's and dry. The Grouse were extremely spooky and would flush 30 yards ahead of the dog on most opportunities. I did the best with a DH 16 with 26 inch Damascus barrels choked IC/F. We did see birds every day though so the King is alive and well in the north woods.
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