How Cold Is It!?

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

Will try to get out tomorrow. Temps have risen from below 10 to the low twenties, but now have a snow advisory that may make roads treacherous in the morning. There are very few pheasants left at our club, but the fresh snow may help us in finding them . Hunted a local public hunting area a week ago(Ohio), and only moved 1 bird in about 5 hours--had a great point and back and managed to get the bird.
My 2 young pups need to get out and see some birds, so may need to go to a preserve

Harold,

Where in Ohio? I lived in Athens while in grad school and continued to go back to SE OH to grouse hunt until the well-meaning, but ignorant "conservationists" put a stop to timber sales in the Wayne National Forest. Your hunt sounds bittersweet. Sometimes when bird numbers are down and we've had several poor hunts in a row, even a single bird makes for a great day. I hope yours was.

[Harold Pickens]

Garry, I grew up, work, and own a farm in Belmont county--but live just across the river in Wheeling, WV now. I went to the local branch campus of Ohio University for 2 years, then to OSU. Ohio used to be a fantastic grouse state as you know, 20-30 flush days the norm. I used to hunt Wayne National a lot in Monroe and Washington counties. I will still hit those spots but grouse are now few and far between. It is really not any better now around Athens and south.
Serious grouse hunters must now head north to Mich, Wis, or Minn.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

Garry, I grew up, work, and own a farm in Belmont county--but live just across the river in Wheeling, WV now. I went to the local branch campus of Ohio University for 2 years, then to OSU. Ohio used to be a fantastic grouse state as you know, 20-30 flush days the norm. I used to hunt Wayne National a lot in Monroe and Washington counties. I will still hit those spots but grouse are now few and far between. It is really not any better now around Athens and south.
Serious grouse hunters must now head north to Mich, Wis, or Minn.

Harold,

Your post brings back pangs of regret at what we've lost in grouse coverts in Ohio. I have hunted in Monroe Co. in years gone by. I, too, remember 25 flush days in the cutovers of SE Ohio. What a shame some (too many I fear) can't see that having early successional forests is healthy for both those forests and the creatures that live in them.

The fescue pastures and bulldozed fencerows are now taking away the quail habitat in Missouri.

BTW, we hunt northern and southeastern Minnesota for grouse, and have for almost 30 years. Thank goodness trees are still harvested in the north!

[Harold Pickens]

I have not missed a season in the UP since 1986, it is as familiar to me as home now, spent 16 days there this year. I shot a grouse in Monroe county 2 years ago and later saw the game warden at the gas station in Clarington. Stopped to talk to him, and told him I just killed the last grouse in Monroe county, we commiserated over the dearth of the grouse population, and I haven't shot a grouse in Ohio since.
Nice Gordon, I have always had English setters but have several friends with Gordons, maybe someday, but have 4 female setters now.
Snow is falling now, will have to wait til morning to see if I can get out.
Sometimes I feel as threatened a species as the grouse in Ohio, it is good to hear from like-minded gents across the country.

[mobirdhunter]

Here's a follow-up (and thanks to all who have provided their own accounts!). It warmed to 12 degrees yesterday. We stole out in a light snow and crossed the border into Iowa. Our Cedar, with Musher's Secret on all four paws, found us a covey of quail (from which we got one), and then trailed a rooster pheasant that obliged me with a shot. Cedar was as happy as was I, and we celebrated a short, successful hunt at home later with the wood stove cranked up high.