We are putting in the miles and seeing birds, although the flush count is noticeably down from last year. The woods are now devoid of leaves, and the ground cover has been singed by frosts, It's the ground cover that gives the birds a sense of security (in my probably half baked theory), so we are seeing more birds run and flush well beyond the dog's point. We get very few shots. For example, yesterday we put in 10-plus miles, had 18 flushes, 8 points, and only one poor chance. Still, it was a beautiful day.
We hunted a place we call the Ohio Ridge Road because it reminds us of our years of hunting in SE Ohio back when there were grouse. The birds were there, and Aspen was excellent. Just no chances...but in a way, a walk through memories.
Rill hunts very hard and she was one tired puppy last night (as were her people!). She got to point several times and is making good progress in spite of lower bird numbers. Such is grouse hunting!
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
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