Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game 2017 Upland Hunts

Ribka, got the first birds, but we finally got into some sage grouse.. These were shot with my model 31 12 ga. and Federal 3 3/4- 1 1/4 - 6.. A friend gave me the ammo, so I used it.. Looking forward to your photos!!

Keep it going fellas, really bummed Im going to miss the grouse and pheasant openers in Pa.

nice Sir!! and handsome dogs!

outstanding!

How are sage grouse pops looking in your area?

Your dogs look dialed in

the federal number 6 1 1/4 oz great early season load

shooting modified?

how long were shots?

JD thanks, they are loved.. ribka, here they seem ok in spots.. The ones pictured I shot near Big Piney.. They seemed in fair numbers there also.. Both are really good hunters, Maggie the little one, may be the best one I have ever had.. But lately she has taken to chasing the birds after the shot.. Kate the older and bigger one, muscles the retrieve from Maggie.. I have to work on that..
The model 31 is an old 30" full choke.. Too much for birds mostly, but I really like the gun.. Have a 97 and model 12 with the same barrel and choke.. Thought of opening one up, but hate to do it..
My usual bird gun is my old 870...I have had it since the mid 70's.. I usually shoot a modified out of it...

For got to mention the shots are not real long usually..

Awesome!

I'm gonna chase them birds soon,,,,not this year but likely 2018,,,

Nice start and hope it continues thruout the season. Please give Maggie and Kate an ear rub.

Thanks battue, you do the same for yours.. Best of luck..

Very nicely done!! I hope to get Hank somewhere, someday to try for some sage grouse. They are a favorite of mine.

Hey are the guy that camped the Highline a few days ago?

I am the guy with the GPS's.

Good job Wyo CH, lotta guys back in the day hacked and whacked about those pee poor Fed D & P loads. I've found they are the answer when a guy is retro shooting an older gun with a fixed full choke for the first shot anyway. Just picked up a couple of boxes of those same loads at a gun show for $5 a box. Great pics and congrats on a good hunt. West Nile virus a few years a go took out the majority of sage grouse we had left in SD. Enjoy them while you can. MB

Thanks everyone for the kind words.. We were back at work again today. Only one grouse, 8 doves, one coyote & one badger.. Got the last two with my old .270.. Got some of the doves with my model 97.. Fun gun, but a full choke and it is tight.. My ammo for the grouse was the Fed. 6's, but on the dove I used RST 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 - 7 1/2.. The old pigeon load.. They were even marked as such.. Wish I had a few more.. Bought a bunch of RST years ago.. Good stuff, these loads are paper!!

I should have mentioned Maggie is contemplating the evening hunt.. A sweet heart..

Good stuff WCH!


That appears to be a very sweet dog.

She is a sweet , sweet golden.. Thanks..

Good job WCH!

Took the pup out a week ago for blues. We got into plenty of birds and left a few young ones for later. Got our 3. Pic is the last on of the day, got it coming down the mountain. Pup worked hard as usual and is getting better at holding her points. Only downer is she tore her feet up pretty badly, hence the duct tape on her feet. Looking forward to getting out for more!

Excellent.. Very pretty pup..Hope she heals fast and soon..

That's hunting ! Nothings like grouse, dogs & shotguns!!