Minnesota Recovery

mobirdhunter · 10-28-2025, 09:29 AM

After a summer lost to cancer treatment, we are finally in Minnesota for our annual hunting trip. Slowed, but not deterred, we have encountered lower flush rates and very skittish birds. Still, as Michael McIntosh once wrote, "I image that Hell itself looks pretty good in October."

Here are a few pictures from our trip so far:

1. This is really Rill's first year hunting grouse, and she is puzzling out running birds, of which most are this year. We come late in October to avoid other hunters, but that also means spookier birds. Killing a few birds for Rill has been beneficial, and she works the cover as well as any dog I've had. We just need more cooperative birds. Ever seen a cooperative grouse...me neither

2. My dedicated grouse gun is a 1904 DH 16 with 26 inch barrels. At 7 pounds there is no issue of wispiness, and it gets the nod for our first week.

3&4. For Elaine and me this is the ultimate family outing, especially because we can have the pups in overnight in Cabin #6, where we have stayed for over 35 years. All of our dogs have loved Minnesota.

5. We've had all forms of weather, even a short snow squall.

6&7. The Northwoods in October is good medicine. We visit certain places just because, and always stop to admire Aldo Leopold's smokey gold tamaracks.