Grouse and Woodcock Shooting

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

...what gauge of shotgun and ammo do you grouse hunters deem the best...charlie

For both ruffed grouse and woodcock my preferred gun is a 28-ga. DHE Parker Reproduction choked IC/M. The country we hunt them in is pretty thick, it is not unusual to have to carry the gun in one hand while pushing branches and trees out of the way in order to get through, so a light well-balanced gun is preferred for all day carrying. I typically shoot 3/4 oz. of #7 1/2's as it doesn't take much to bring them down, the real challenge is getting a good shot off. Here's a pic of the type of habitat that we find Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock in in the Lake States. The 2nd pic is of my English Setter Winston, stopping to point another Woodcock while retrieving a Woodcock. Unfortunately, I missed the shot on the 2nd bird--darn it!

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

For both ruffed grouse and woodcock my preferred gun is a 28-ga. DHE Parker Reproduction choked IC/M. The country we hunt them in is pretty thick, it is not unusual to have to carry the gun in one hand while pushing branches and trees out of the way in order to get through, so a light well-balanced gun is preferred for all day carrying. I typically shoot 3/4 oz. of #7 1/2's as it doesn't take much to bring them down, the real challenge is getting a good shot off. Here's a pic of the type of habitat that we find Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock in in the Lake States. The 2nd pic is of my English Setter Winston, stopping to point another Woodcock while retrieving a Woodcock. Unfortunately, I missed the shot on the 2nd bird--darn it!

Robin, "Lake states" you hunt Michigan or Wisconsin? If you do why the hell haven't you let us know......Maybe we could have gotten together for a hunt.