Returned from the Michigan annual....Wasn't one of the better trips in that in rained 3 days and it was hot with temps going up to the high 70's on occasion.

Missed the better part of the Woodcock flight and the Grouse while there, seemed to be in the nasty cool wet areas, and for the most part were going out of the pines...Still the Dogs got some good work in and a few Birds were brought home.

Couple Buds who were there....With Bull and Jack...









Some of Merlot's work....

Nice pic’s Battue. I was wondering when you would chime in, report, and post some pic’s. You never know this time of the year. Weather can be all over the place.

Barring breaking something serious, most trips, even without game in the bag, are a net positive experience. That’s what I hear your dogs saying. 😉

Too bad about the weather, but it looks like you made something out of the trip though. Good pics.

Nice trip.. I love that little dog!!!

Well, in reference to your last sentence....If you are going to take pics of your Dog, and then forget to place your shotgun back in the car and drive off...and it rains all night before you realize the next morning you don't have it...

Well, a Model 12 is a great choice...Wiped it off, oiled it....and it looks the same as when you left it...

Great pic's and love the shown Parker side X side.

Ok, I immediately felt what you must have felt. Yesterday I drove to the semblance of a range 30 mi away with the usual gear, targets, chronograph, shooting bag, etc. but just one rifle I wanted to sight in — a rifle worth just south of $2k. Finished in an hour, drove home.

Unloading my truck in the garage, I realized my rifle wasn’t there. Near panic, I drove the 30 mi back expecting it to be gone. Went over all the calls I’d have to make in my mind.

Get there, now after an hour of driving and my cousin, of all people, a former policeman is there having secured the rifle and had another officer on the way to take the rifle. Is this yours?!

My relief was almost physical. “Absentminded” is a very descriptive term.

Sorry Battue, but I’m somewhat relieved I’m not the only one. 🙄 😊

Looks like a great time nonetheless! My good buddy just drove out there Monday, he’s going to stay there for about a month. Any advice I should send his way? His first time hunting up there.

We were outside of Atlanta, Mich....If he is after Grouse there are good numbers, and hopefully the weather will cool off and bring them into more traditional locations. At this time the larger Woodcock numbers seemed to be a little South of Atlanta...However, we were still getting around 20 flushes a day. But not the 50-75 we normally had. However, more Birds may drop in from the North as the weather moves them down..

Have found the Woodcock migration map to be fairly accurate in the past of where the higher concentrations are....Type in your hunting area and it may give you and idea of what is happening in your area.

https://ruffedgrouse.maps.arcgis.co...html?id=130717a05023440a93138a696ad05b31

I’m glad to see that Merlot got some work in. Looks like you had some nice looking Springers in the group too. Bummer that the flushes were down this year. Did Higgy make the trip?

Yes, Higgy made the trip...and on his walks even managed to find some dead Woodcock and Grouse....Odd they would be there in the weeds. One even managed to fly again into the brush, the gun went bang and he brought it back out to the trail...He was pumped!!!!

Wow! Good for him, and you! I like the picture too! Our pup would try to eat the bird, at this point. We are taking him on his first boat ride tomorrow. Gonna scout some duck holes.

Well, he brought them back out and kinda close, but would have been chewing on it hard if I hadn’t of taken it from him. He mostly worked on the head and wings….so the eating parts were still whole.

Looks like a very nice trip!

Debating with self about heading up your way for a few days. I need to see more Grouse and hopefully cooler weather. 😁

If you go, get well North of the Golden Road.

One of the reasons for the debate....Have been up there hunting in the North Woods and it takes more than a little planning to have things work out OK.

Cooler weather is in sort supply this year.

I will PM you.