Your Toughest Shot -- Bird and Setting

[Gary Laudermilch]

How ironic this thread. Although our grouse season is closed, today was just too beautiful to pass up; 15 degrees, light wind, sun shining, and just the right amount of recent snow for good track looking. So, off I went with the dogs to some grouse cover to get us all some exercise and enjoy the day.

Near the end of the first real good cover I saw four sets of fresh grouse tracks. The dogs were working out further so I waited for them to get everything covered. Yep, they found them. When I walked in both dogs were locked up looking skyward. And away they go from about 15 feet up the tree. I am absolutely, positively sure I would not have connected with any of the four birds. It seems they are going mach 1 as soon as their feet leave the branch.

A bit later they nailed one on the ground. Now that is a different story. That bird is lucky I did not have my Parker repro. Oh well, maybe next year we'll meet again. At least the dogs had fun.

[Mike of the Mountain]

For me, doesn't matter what species, if it flushes unexpectedly and goes hard right, almost beyond 90 degrees. That's my toughest shot. Having replacement parts makes that harder. I tend to do what Gary Laudermilch does, instead of stepping to the shot I too corkscrew myself into it and run out of swing. I know better, but in the heat of the moment my brain takes a vacation!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

For me, doesn't matter what species, if it flushes unexpectedly and goes hard right, almost beyond 90 degrees. That's my toughest shot. Having replacement parts makes that harder. I tend to do what Gary Laudermilch does, instead of stepping to the shot I too corkscrew myself into it and run out of swing. I know better, but in the heat of the moment my brain takes a vacation!

Yup, Mike, I can corkscrew on a shot with the best of them...and, of course miss. Hey, when the bird gets up, especially without "prior notice," the old muscle memory frequently forgets. Having said this, I've made some memorable shots from the ole corkscrew method. Luck is as luck does.

[Bill Murphy]

I have nothing to say because all of my "problem shots" have been enjoyed on this thread already. How entertaining, especially Charlie.

[stumpstalker]

Yes, Charlie’s toughest shot experience I will continue to reflect on the longest; missing the bird was just the beginning. And he never even got into what happened to the gun.

The thread has worked nicely as an encounter group for bird shooters, entertaining and therapeutic, too.