Red Letter day with a Fox

[Cold Spring]

Back in 1998 I took two grouse within a few minutes with a 16 bore Sterlingworth; one was a typical red phase and the other was what's locally called a "silvertail" - they’re pretty scarce hereabouts in PA. Our day bag limit was (and still is) two birds and it surely was a Red Letter day.

History repeats itself. I hunted today out in the mountains near the cabin and was able to bag a red phase in the morning and a silvertail just after noon, the only one I've seen over the 21 seasons since then. Two other birds were flushed but not shot at before I got the silvertail. I was alone today, walk up hunting as I like to do along old coal mine RR beds that date back to the 1870-90’s.

The gun is a 20b Fox Sterlingworth that was converted to straight grip/long tang and she's choked light and heavy Modified. Fox nuts will note its so-called "thick wrist".

[SXS OHIO]

Good for you!, to have enjoyed a great time I the big woods. These are the memories that keep us going after the season ends...(-: You should do a combo mount of those special birds. SXS Ohio

[Double Lab]

Wow Frank, quite a good run from top gun at the Rock to two beautiful birds with a lovely Fox. You must be livin' right.

[Cold Spring]

Thanks everyone. Forgot to add, the silvertail is in the freezer for a hanging mount. I already have a hanging typical red phase and a roufous ruff/red-brown tail band grouse that’s also pretty scarce, and the three will make my PA grouse grand slam. But really, any grouse is special.

[mobirdhunter]

Frank, Experiences like those you describe, years apart, are what define our hunting lives. It's not just bagging game, it's hunting experiences, and you are the richer for knowing just how special each one is.

Great photo -- thanks for sharing it with us.