Have been out the last three days.. A bit in the morning then again in the evening.. Taken a limit everyday.. Will get a few more then will be finished..
Years ago when I was a young man, sage grouse hunting was a big event.. Most went out for opening day and maybe the next.. It was in early Sept. maybe a week long.. Then they opened archery elk the month of Sept. and everyone is out trying to get enough arrows in an elk to bring it to bag.. About the same time, we had sage grouse explosion.. There were birds everywhere, and far less hunters.. Seasons got longer, and longer.. For a couple years it opened late Aug. till the end of Sept... I also had about 20 older folks that loved the grouse they ate in their youth, but could not long get due to age.. I was glad to get them all the grouse they wanted.. Time went on, I have only one lady that still likes grouse and I am not sure if she wants any this season.. Will check tomorrow.. Now the season is later, birds are bigger and fewer.. I still have some excellent spots, but just my dogs and I hunt.. Haven't seen a grouse hunt for several years... Fine by me, just wish I had more folks that liked them like the old days..
My late wife and I used to hunt often.. We used about all the guages of shotguns: 410 to 10, except 16.. I have shot them with o/u, sxs, autos, and pumps.. Now I mostly use my old 870 12 ga. I have had for coming on 50 years.. Sometimes I use and old model 31,97, or 12.. They are all 30 " full chokes from days gone by... I have been trying different loads this fall in my old 12.. All 3 1/4 -1 1/4 loads but with 5;s 6's 7's and 7 1/2's.. The 7's are hard to find in a factory load.. I hope to hunt sage grouse as long I as I am able to hunt.. Great game bird in great country..
