38 Years of Minnesota Grouse

[mobirdhunter]

Say what you will, but when the weather takes away time afield, I call that a climate crisis After sitting out yesterday when the temperature hit 78 degrees, we set out this morning with high hopes for an all day affair. When we got about two miles from the truck, the heavens opened up and by the time we got back to the truck I was wet in places I didn't even know I had. And now...I have a rain gun

I thought I'd post a few more pictures from our trip as I sit here in the rained pattered cabin with a couple of Gordon setters that do not like taking time off. The Good Wife is just okay with the break, and hopes her hunting coat dries out by tomorrow. Snow showers expected tonight -- never a dull moment.

Photos:

1. Aspen gave me my one chance today before rain set in. Unfortunately, just after, the rains came...and came...and came...

2. Rill had a bad day where she ran over birds, and then something clicked and she had two nice finds -- this being one of them -- and she hunted like a pro. Such is the saga of a two year old pup.

3. After a trip to Grand Rapids for groceries, we got back in time to sit on the dock and enjoy the lake view. It was 78 degrees, and our sit was curtailed by mosquitoes(!) Snow showers predicted for tonight. I hope they put down the ticks and mosquitoes.

4 & 5. Rill and Aspen are not good rain day dogs, but like sitting on the couch...until they decide that wrestling is in order. Then one goes to the kennel, and the other (Rill in this case) gets to point juncos from the window. For us this gets old quickly, but for Rill she is intense for however long the birds are there.

6. We are the only people here at the resort, but they still have their Halloween decor up and ready for the party. The dogs can't figure all this out.

[Kevin McCormack]

Great report and pictures, Garry! The wide temp swings lately have also affected us here in MD and VA - for some unknown climate-related reason, we came under a gnat attack while shooting at our local club a couple of days ago; something we had not experienced in 2-3 weeks. I immediately deployed my standard repellent, a fine imported cigar, which gave us significant relief. As an extended Druid-influenced effort in both repelling pests and finding birds for the remainder of your trip, given the close proximity to Halloween, I would recommend hunting with a primitive Celtic-influenced mask (NOT Michael Myers!), taking care to extend the eye hole radius to ensure head-down and follow-thru functions. (In order to not make Elaine feel left out, she could fashion a facsimile mask of Rhiannon, the mythical Welsh queen). It may sound frivolous or crazy, but you must remember, it is the "Season of the Witch"!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack

Great report and pictures, Garry! The wide temp swings lately have also affected us here in MD and VA - for some unknown climate-related reason, we came under a gnat attack while shooting at our local club a couple of days ago; something we had not experienced in 2-3 weeks. I immediately deployed my standard repellent, a fine imported cigar, which gave us significant relief. As an extended Druid-influenced effort in both repelling pests and finding birds for the remainder of your trip, given the close proximity to Halloween, I would recommend hunting with a primitive Celtic-influenced mask (NOT Michael Myers!), taking care to extend the eye hole radius to ensure head-down and follow-thru functions. (In order to not make Elaine feel left out, she could fashion a facsimile mask of Rhiannon, the mythical Welsh queen). It may sound frivolous or crazy, but you must remember, it is the "Season of the Witch"!

Elaine brought her emergency sewing kit. She's giving me the evil eye as I read her your suggestion.

Pictures at 11:00!

[6pt-Sika]

15-20 flushes a day ! I dare say hunting the mountains of Virginia now 15-20 flushes would most likely be a good YEAR now !

[mobirdhunter]

Walked back in on a forest road, way back in the timber and found this collection about 7 or 8 feet above the ground.

Any theories?

[Reggie B]

Symbol of habitat being destroyed is my guess. Tree huggers.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

Symbol of habitat being destroyed is my guess. Tree huggers.

I like your theory better than Elaine's. She said it reminded her of the Blair Witch Project movie.

[mobirdhunter]

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!

[Jim McKee]

We used to have that in Ohio, but sadly much has disappeared here.