UP Michigan

[Dollar]

Just got home from 3 1/2 days of shooting at grouse on the upper peninsula.What a trip we had as well as a lesson in humility.Birds made a fool of me daily.I was completely unprepared for the explosive flush and vegetation we had to deal with.
We flushed more than 30 birds per day(one day 50) and woodcock mixed in.Woodcock became more frequent each day as the weather got colder(With light snow).
Birds just caught me off guard and it took me over a day to catch up.Finally started knocking down some birds and woodcock but not what I thought I would.
Lodge was awesome and the scenery was unbelievable.Hearing wolves at night,seeing a little snow with fall colors made it a successful trip.
Naturally I am going back next Oct. with a whole new respect for grouse.
I had hunted them before in Maine years ago but much different terrain.The challenge here was hearing or seeing the flush and trying to be ahead of the birds.Lots of early flushes but plenty of shootable birds just always behind.
Lots of woodcock which made a nice distraction but not what we were really after.Shouldn't complain about the only bird I could consistently hit.
Here are a couple pics of the trip and gun I used(trojan 20ga).