Began sorting my stuff for this falls upland season.. Grouse opens Sept.1 along with dove.. Not many doves here..often times blue grouse can be excellent..
Got my model 97 12 ga. out and my Rem. 870 28 ga.. Will dig out the 870 20 ga. later.. Plan to kick of the season with #6's in both guns.. Hope you have a good season..

I'm all packed up and headed for camp in the morning.....
I missed my annual opener Grouse Camp due to fires last year so I have some catching up to do....
Been seeing a lot of Grouse on the few trips I took to the woods this summer so I'm optimistic....
I'm planning on spending four days and then head home before the Labor Day commandos with the four wheeler's and 22's get too thick....




Providing me and the old dog can last four days....

Very best of luck!!

Lots of birds around this season. We are going to stay close to home for the next couple weeks hunting mountain grouse and huns.

3 trips to eastern Montana planned so far, might even sneak in a 4th.

The dog is ready, so am I.

Will be in a blind waiting on doves Thursday morning bright and early.
Have a new AYA 16ga to break in.

Good luck gentlemen.

Huns aren't open here yet...Grouse and Dove but I've never been much of a Dove hunter.....



Sweet gun....I'll be packing my old Merkel 20ga....it's the only scatter gun I own these days....

Have fun.....

Field, how did the grouse hunt go?? We have only gotten one, the first eve. Just before a big storm.. My favorite cover failed to produce for the first time in 15 years.. Not sure what is up with that, but the bow hunters had been all over the mountain.. Maybe they got them for stew before season opened... Good luck..

14 doves in the fridge. Will be on the grill with bacon and jalepeno tomorrow.

Glad someone is have good luck!! Excellent!

A good day.. We are headed out in abit!!

5 before breakfast.

Good job, we got one yesterday..Our dove shooting is pretty slow here/..

How you likin' that AYA?

We had our annual 'kids day' on Monday and the kiddos killed 139 total. Had I believe 13 or 14 kids this year. Shooting was pretty slow at times, but enough to keep them interested. Dad's shot the evening and came away with another 73. Got my new lab some work and showing promise. My boys shot 11/87 12ga, I used a M12 in 16ga that I just picked up and took out on its maiden voyage.

It rained a little this morning and we got lazy so I went sharp-tail hunting.

Fairly breezy but at least didn't have to worry about starting a fire....





Took out Charlie's ol' safe queen.....grin

Nice work Sam, as always!!

Took my first walk of the season this afternoon. Missed one and knocked down three.



Great pics Sam.




Dave

Thanks fauckers.


3 Huns Dave?!


I haven't hit that many in the last 3 years..

Nice shooting!

Nice to see you Montana guys shooting all these birds!!! Keep up the good work...

Couldn't be in better hands....

PS....If you ever sell it me and my trusty pick-axe handle will be knocking on your door....

Swell photos guys. Can't wait for quail to open in Texas. I'll be taking some dog less walks hoping to jump a few.

Can't find any blues around here yet. Taking the pup to hunt some preserve birds tomorrow. At one yr she needs to get some action. It's spendy but still cheaper than driving to Malta/Glendive/Plentywood. Not to mention I can't swing more than 2 days off work in a row. Pretty much kills driving across the state.

BEEEEEAAAUUTIFUL Photos!!!!!!!!!!

Old Oliver grain drill?

Sam, let me know when the house next door is for sale.

Why can I never knock down four at once?

Ever.

Dude, Under Armour is anti-hunting.

Bro!

So are grouse.




Dave

Sam,

Is your snob stick a 20 or 28?




Dave

Three more down this morning. Should have been 4.

Time for beer and football.








Travis

16 my n igga.



How you cook the grouse?



I've been marinating and grilling on high heat. Slightly rare is fine IMHO...
(better than slightly dry anyway)

A 16???????

Seems excessive (that's what she said)

I save them all until there is enough for a WILD BIRD GAME GUMBO! And yes that's how I announce it.

If you've never made a WILD BIRD GAME GUMBO I can assist.




Travis

Nice shooting guys.. Our bird hunting is off to a slow start.. Keep after them!

No dog and doubles as a cock gun.


And I am lucky to hit anything(flying) with a 16/12 let alone a 20/28.

You need to get off your ass and stop being lazy.



Dave

I must have been into the Bent Nails pretty heavy because I don't know what this means.

Dog has been sleeping for 24 hours straight. LMAO. I think he's a little out of shape. Will try again Wednesday.




Dave

I miss Sharptail hunting. Early season is not much of a challenge however. Some covey's you practically had to kick to get them to fly.

These have all been 50-60yd shots.




Dave

That's not bad for ground sluicing !

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Dove season has been good this year. 7 hunts and a 15 bird limit on each hunt with a few Eurasians and pigeons in the mix. This photo is from a hunt last Friday with my 10 month old GSP Mickie. She is marking, retrieving and finding dead birds like a seasoned dog. She has also pointed, held and retrieved pen raised quail during a late winter puppy field trails and buddy hunts when she was 4.5 months old. She is a special pup and limited only by my abilities as a trainer.

Perry

Good shootin' PWN.





Travis

Nice shooting guys.. Our season has been very slow.. Sage grouse opens Sat.. Will give them a try soon..

Travis and Sam, What load do you shoot those sharpies with.. Few times I shot them, I think I used 6's..

All I use is #5's. Full choke!

Tried to find some Sage Grouse south of Malta last Saturday but just found more Sharps.




Travis

I was used standard lead #6's that Charlie had sent along with the gun.

Save the fancy nickel plated #5's for roosters.

Modified over full chokes. Gives me time to snap out of day dreaming and get the barrel up in the air!

Grouse opens this Saturday here. May have to make a run up to the woods for some Ruffies.

This fugking thing ended my walk early yesterday.

'Bout two feet off my toes and inches from the dog. I think the dog is deaf now.





Dave

Sum beach. I think you are a buzz bomb magnet.

PWN, great pic. My GSP will not pick up a dove. He will find them and let you know where they are but will not touch them. He savors quail.

It's evil trying to rid the world of goodness.




Dave

Found a new place that has some birds.

YUCK!

You're lucky the walk was all that thing ended.

Wow, Travis that was a close one.. Think I will mark Montana off my list for next Sept.! Maybe Plentywood!

When do you have to stop worrying about snakes for the year? I'm heading out there in early October.

I vaccinate my dog and I usually don't think anything of snakes but this particular encounter was closer than I care for.

I've never been bit and don't want to experience the experience.




Dave

Could have put an end to my COCK.




Dave

You should be fine come October. I think this time of the year is the worst because it can get down into the low 30's and high 20's at night/early morning and then climb back into the 70's by mid-afternoon. I think that makes them more active than usual. Sort of a "get-while-the-gettin'-is-good" type thing.

But that is just a theory. I don't know schit about snakes.




Dave

Plenty of them out in October, at least in the banana belt. Even if it's been sub-zero a few days before.

Four miles + two shots = one GD bird this morning.




Dave

First day of sage-grouse here was yesterday. Will be out again today and every day until it closes.

Nice work.

How long is the Sage season down there?

Knocked one more Sharp down this morning. And five pigeons. Grin...




Dave

Open till Sep 30, so only about 2 weeks.

It's about the only bird hunting we have around here, save for some sporadic dove and an occasional chucker.

100 miles for blue or ruffed grouse, well over 100 miles for pheasant/hun/sharptail.

I'd like to get a couple of Sage Grouse stuffed.




Dave

Got one sage grouse on the opener. Being in strange country doesn't help.. When I get home hop to have some good shooting .. Be careful with those snakes.

Stove Top?

Good to see everyone getting some birds.

Plenty of them around.

Been a lot of hunters on my place, even had some guys set up some dove decoys and shoot from behind a sheet of plywood layed up on an H brace. I tried to slow down as I drove past. Went by several times.

Saw two sharpies perched on a power line as I drove into my yard this morning.

Technically they were airborne right?

Got two sage grouse last evening and one this am.. Will try for photos later>>>

Been a real good year for bird numbers.

They will still be around. Where are you going? Some places don't have many, others have a lot.

Flave's territory east over to Glasgow or so seems to be particularly thick with buzz worms.

I've been thinking the same thing. Better do it before they are "endangered" and you can't shoot them anymore.

I was thinking that a couple years ago as well but haven't shot one in probably over 15 years. If I hit one with the pickup and it isn't too f'd up it would be a good candidate.


We are lucky around here because there are zero rattlers on this side of the Missouri.

Cross the river to McCone county or drive out to the Breaks(north or south side) and you'll find them.

Yeah, I remember the lack of rattlers around there!

I've taken two sage grouse to taxidermists. The first taxidermist also turned out to be a thief. He claimed he'd contacted me by both phone and mail after it was done, and since I never picked up the bird he sold it to somebody else. Of course, he never contacted me in any way, so got both my 50% deposit, plus the full price from whoever he sold it to. Of course, he didn't last long in the business, so there was no way to get my money back, but what I really wanted was the mount.

The second bird turned out to be too shot up to do the job right, according to a taxidermist I trust.

JB, it is nice not having to worry about stepping on one!


If I had the money(and a big enough house...) it'd be cool to get a glass case filled with all the local upland birds.

Hun, sharp tail, sage hen, rooster, maybe even one of our somewhat rare river-bottom gobblers.

Seems like the buggers go in cycles or something.

For about 4-5 years I'd see one dead in the road near my hunting spot over the course of September. I ran over a couple myself. One of my pards would usually spot one in the grass too (I never did).

The last few years nary a one.

One of these years when I kill one for the taxi, I'm going to try a light load of 6's and hunt without a dog.

And give it a whirl in October when their feathers are more grown in.

I'm going to be out there for 6 weeks I'll be traveling all over the state.In the past I've concentrated my effort mostly east of Glasgow but I have more time this year.

Nice pictures! I really like your black and white pointer.

Quite a few rattlers up here, but no sage grouse.

My buddy south of Malta is covered up with both.

He says the bloody Ring Tails must get 50 a day.

I'll bring him a case of beer if he can point me in the right direction.

I'd love to knock one down before the season closes.

(Sage Grouse, not snakes)




Travis

Stop by. I'll buy you a beer and take you to my friend's best spots.





Dave

I'll ask him.

Thanks, Jim.





Travis

Thanks! I like him too! Guardrail bred FWIW.

How far will you have to travel to do that?

I live in Great Falls. Not sure where the closest sage grouse are, but I'd bet towards Lewistown.

No season in October.

Wow! Matt Damon hunts and uses a 20 gauge benelli!

I'm way better looking than Matt Damon.





Travis

Good to know. IIRC it used to be open into November. When did they change it?

By chance, my buddy came out today for coffee because of the rain. As he was leaving the local NRCS bird woman from Chinook and a couple others stopped by.

She had been to my friend's farm south of Malta so I asked her what kind of birds he had. She said its one of the best populations of Sage Grouse she had seen.

My buddy said it would be no problem if you wanted to go hunt. In fact, you can start at the main road and stay on BLM sage brush land they whole way.

He said he cant figure out the big deal, as he killed a couple with his tractor and disc the other day!

Good luck!

Years ago. Don't remember the exact one though.

Since we were camping for 14 days, I did not get to upload my photos til today..

The first and only ruffed grouse this year.. Used my 870 Special Field and #6's.

My two pals and Maggies first grouse!

We stayed an evening with my sister in law, and while the gals visited I took a ride for grouse.. Found a couple nice coveys.. Managed my limit with my 870 Special Field 12 ga. and WW 3 1/4-1 1/4 - 4's..

My limit with the SP.

The opening day of sage grouse we were in western Wy. I managed one with my old 870 field gun and WW 3 1/4- 1 1/4-4's..

We stayed an evening with my sister in law, and while the gals visited I took a ride for grouse.. Found a couple nice coveys.. Managed my limit with my 870 Special Field 12 ga. and WW 3 1/4-1 1/4 - 4's..

Opening day we were in western Wy. Managed one grouse with my 870 field and ww 4's. ( Hope this comes out ok.. photobucket is giving me fits.)

Nice work WCH.

I love those straight gripped 870's.




Travis

Thanks Jim.

Sent you a PM.




Travis

Yesterdays birds.. One with the model 31 Rem. 12 ga. and a Herter's spreader load of # 7 shot 1 1/4 0z...
The other was taken with the model 97 12 ga. But the spreader load only drew feathers, and a WW of 4's rolled him.,

Thunder chickens!

Save some for the rest of us, WCH.




Travis

Seems to be lots this year.. Travis, do you shoot 3" ammo in your 20 ga.?

Sam, you have the sage grouse or mostly sharptails.. Never saw many sage grouse the year I hunted Montana..

Wyo, we have sharptails/huns locally, takes a little driving to find sage hens.

2 3/4 for this guy. Buy a case of Estates each fall. Usually good for four birds by the end of the season. Grin...




Travis

Well my sage grouse career started with a few birds I shot back in about 2006.

It ended once I ate the birds.

Ever since I've said I will only shoot them again if I want to get some mounts.

Two more down.

I think last year it went into October but I'm not sure.

Either way, they're getting cghunty about shooting them and I'd like to have one or two before this season's end.

Gumbo makes everything taste good. Hint...



Travis

Nice shooting Flave, we were out and picked up a couple more this eve. 1999 I spent several weeks in Montana hunting birds.. Sage grouse was open, although I did not shoot any.. I think at that time, it stayed in until maybe Nov. The season was much, much longer than ours..

At first when I hunted them it was a about a 10 day season.. Then things blossomed we had grouse everywhere.. Season opened once in late Aug and went til Oct 1.
Now it opens the 17 and goes til the end of the month.
We used to have a method of cooking them in wine sauce they were pretty good. During the peak years of our grouse population, I had about 15 older friends who grew up eating these birds.. They loved them.. I had a ball shooting grouse for all of them.. Now I have only one widow who wants them.. They have all passed.. I still love shooting them.. The few times I hunted sharpies, they were awesome, but much tougher than sage grouse..

Flave, how much rain you get?



Wyo, roughly 25 years ago my dad, brother and I were walking the sidelines of a nice mule deer coulee.

Late evening, half hour before dark and we were in 'stealth' mode. All of a sudden a sage hen drifts in from over the nearby 'ridge'. And then 20 more. And then about 50-60 more.

They landed and walked around right by us until we moved. Then they all took off, very surreal moment.

2014 was the year of big changes in sage grouse regulations. That's when it started closing 9/30 rather than 11/1. In '14 and '15 there was a large part of the state that had no season but that's open back up this year. While technically accurate, my comment of years ago was misleading as it inferred longer than a couple of years. 2 years seems like longer when you start getting CRS syndrome.

I'll have to look for a good recipe

Nice.....I used to have one of those upland specials....barrel was too short for me but it was a nice little package....

Between "guiding" my friend from WY for Wolves and my old dogs injured shoulder I'm not doing much Grouse hunting this year.....

PS....you don't really eat those things do you.....

As the old story goes, get you a stick and go find a sage grouse. They can be dumb so all you have to do is hit them with the stick.

Once you have finished that part of the process, throw the bird away and eat the stick. Much tastier.

I don't have a rain gauge but it started raining Wednesday morning and didn't stop until Friday evening. Had to be selective about which road to drive down yesterday.




Travis

Field, before my first wife passed away, we had a recipe that we cooked them in wine.. They were good that way.. Since then, the recipe was lost.. Now I shoot a few for my neighbor lady who grew up eating them.. She loves them..
As I said before, I used to have maybe 15 or more folks in the valley that grew up eating them and liked them.. Most are gone now..

That special field is a handi little shotgun.. I bought it mostly for quail in Az. It would be perfect it the barrel were about 24" in stead of 21"

I hope your dog heals quickly and you kill some wolves..

I prefer hunting Sharptails to anything else. I absolutely love them. When I kick up a covey Huns I get a feeling of disappointment. But I should anyway...

I have to travel all this week but hopefully I can go after those Sage on Friday if things dry out.

I make sausage and wild bird gumbo with all of mine. This is a good roux to try.

https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Chacheres-Roux-Gravy-10-0/dp/B001EBPIDS

Goes great with 5 shot.




Travis

Thanks .. I will order some of this.. Travel safe.. Good hunting Friday..

Damn...

My back looks as good as my front.

Been a fine September.

Is that am M2 or cordoba?

M2. 20 gauge.




Travis

Yesterday's take Model 12 12ga. solid rib, heavy duck..
Used Herter's Spreader loads on one with # 7 shot.. WW 4's for the second.. I think for prairie shooting, the spreaders are no my best choice..

I'm with you on that, except I'll add the caveat that it must be over a pointing dog.

If I was hunting with a flusher, it'd be pheasants.

I've been eyeballing a franchi and a montefeltro



Of course yesterday I found a very nice Parker Trojan 20 gauge choked ic/m

Same here, 2" super soaker, uber mud.

Went out this morning for a quick look but only jumped a couple of cocks.


BTW, nice ass.

I love the Monte.




Travis

Saw a real nice cock yesterday as well.

Found an FWP truck buried to the axle. Made it a good 200yds down that road though. Grin...



Travis

Must have been a rookie driver!


I took the side by side, pickup hasn't left the driveway all weekend. Street legal Rangers are the chit for muddy days.

Not to wade too deeply into the pool of experts, but I have been thinking about buying a Weatherby SA-08 in 20 gauge.

Seems like it would be a nice little gun.

We had some hunters slog through the mud and go hunting on Friday.

Parked at the sign in box and walked down the trail by my lentils.

Guess upland birds like lentils.

Good thing they thinned them out then!

I'll shoot you a pm if I make it up your way but I might have to buy you the beer as [bleep] as your bears are playing.

I'm wearing my Bears sweatshirt through multiple airports today.

Let's just say the comments have not been very sportsman like.

Some of them even said mean things about Jay.




Travis

I am sure you will set them straight!!

All I gots is a yellow tree.

Great pic Sam, as always.. You live in some beautiful country..

Looks nice for September Sam.

Wyo, early this morning we were out in sage hen country about 70 miles west of here.


Stopped on the county road and waited to meet up with another partner in crime.
(sorted/moved a few yearlings horseback)



Perfectly still while we sat and waited in the pickup with the windows down.

You could literally hear birds chirping crystal clear though the air.

I heard coyotes yipping and they had to be over two miles away.


And then the [bleep] horses would start stomping around in the trailer and ruin it.....grin




Jim, with the recent rain it is still a touch green here at home.

Same here Sam. Looks nice.

We still have some nice green with the cover crops I planted this year.

But yeah, the native is still a touch green as well.

I assume the birds like it too. Calves and replacements getting fat!

Another great photo!! I sure enjoy seeing that country.. It would be nice to hear birds singing.. My hearing is so bad, I thought they all died from DDT..

NO Sage Grouse. But I tried.

Did knock down two more Sharps and a Hun though.




Travis

Didn't see any?

Nada.




Travis

Sheeit.

Sorry about that. Long way to go for nothing.

The farmer and the NRCS bird lady swore that there was a great population down there.

It wasn't for nothing. I had a blast Jim.

Thanks again for the hookup.





Travis

FWIW I haven't seen any sage hens this year where I often times noticed them last year.



Hail storms?

You're not seeing them because I'm looking for them.

I'm going hunting in Scobey later this month. I would like to swing by the Olson's and drink all their beer if you're available.




Clark

I'm also not looking for them so seeing them is harder.


We will probably be here, Rancho is driving up next weekend....

YO RANCHO!

Yesterday morning I kicked up a monster jack and my lab gave chase. He was gaining fast and my first two patterns of #5's were landing between him and the rabbit as they flew across the stubble. I rolled the jack on the 3rd shot and it slowed him down a smidge.

My retard dog kept chasing him, the rabbit juked, but the dog still caught up to him. I was dying laughing as I yelled "That rabbit is going to kick your fugking ass!"

I was wrong though. That rabbit screamed like a newborn baby as lard ass chomped him into mush. When the homicide was complete he just sort of stood there, and looked at me as if to say 'What now?'

Almost made me like him.



Travis

No pic!!!

Just got my last grouse pics uploaded..
Couple I shot with my little 870 20ga..

They look much better when you use that straight english stock... grin.




Travis

Sharptail are dang near unapproachable in my usual spots. I guess that is what a solid month of chasing them will do.

Did get some huns this weekend though.

I don't know if John is still checking in on this thread, but I used Eileen's "Posh Partridge" recipe out of her upland game cookbook, and holy smokes. That page is definitely getting a sticky note for future reference.

Rancho just hit the trail back to the land of beautiful people....

Pretty sure we scared more cock than we killed(I missed 2 absolute gimme's yesterday).
And there are less birds around this year than last.

But of course still fun, super weather.

Excellent Sam.. You have some beautiful country up there.. Always enjoy your pictures.!! Nice roosters too!!!

Thanks Wyo, pheasant hunting is one reason why I love it here.


Rancho was above me in some thick brush/trees and we knew there were birds hiding so I posted up below him in an attempt to ambush.

Stood for a minute in the most open spot I could find which was still very full of limbs. All of a sudden I hear a rustle in the leaves......!

Goddammm rooster came sprinting up to me, stopped at literally 4-5', did the quickest 180 degree turn in history and blew out through the branches.

I did some quick 'landscaping' with the 16 gauge and needless to say didn't so much as draw a feather. Trimmed a few little branches and the bird is probably still laughing.

Ah!!! Pheasant hunting.. Nothing like it..

Really cool and you obviously have a blast doing it.

As evidenced today...

OOOOH, this sucks.. We saw a Bull Snake in the Bighorn Basin today.. No buztails thank goodness.

SamO

I'm up in your neck of the woods right now. Haven't been here since '08. They've plowed up a lot of the CRP. Definitely fewer birds because of it!!!

Opening day results Dad and I. A lot of young birds out there but had to put a lot of miles on to find the birds.

Nice work.

I spent all day Saturday assisting on an antelope hunt. We got ass raped by weather yesterday morning. Spent most of the day removing snow and downed trees.

Not many hunters out for opener this year. Sorta surprised.




Dave

I think our snakes are gone for now.




Travis

Snowing here now too, but not like you got.

You should have seen all the birds winging about yesterday.

Had about a foot of snow before it settled, now its just misery.

I will roll out some more hay today, I should take my shotgun.

Todays birds.

Benelli went 3/11
Beretta went 3/3 including a sweet double.

Methinks one of your shotguns doesn't fit the shooter....





Travis

I went 4/4 on beer cans with Rancho's Affinity.

He has a 20 gauge with pretty nice wood IMHO.

Probably just the shooter.

South Dakota Pheasant Opener on Saturday. Leave tomorrow to meet up with my buds.....no use rushing, better to ease in.

He did buy that Affinity? Were you loving it?



Travis

That's what she said...





Travis

First swing at pheasants this evening and it was a win.

If I ever buy a racehorse it will be named Rancho's Affinity....


Assuming he bought it, thought he said $800?


Semi auto's are too fast for me but it is a sweet shotgun.




Damn, you guys got a decent snow!


And your dog is a beast.

That dog is a fat fugk like his owner.

That's what I paid! If you can find one they are a STEAL! Holy fugk.

Semi-auto is the only way to go. Embrace.



Travis

That dog is a stud....hint-hint..


(errr this one, gay....)



I'd shoot my dick off with a semi-auto.




Seriously though when are you driving through?

Still nailing it down. Will advise.

Don't shoot your dick off before I get there.




Travis

Nice job on the roosters!! We don't get at them til next month..

Thanks WCH.

Dog was a machine out there yesterday. He done good.




Travis

Fine job. Dog looks satisfied too.


I bought an SA-08 12 guage at North 40 for 499.

Not tried it on birds yet.

Have you shot it? I like the looks of those. Seem to be light.







Travis

FXT it & GFY.

PS: I see you already voiced my exact concerns.
Carry on !

Nothing real serious. Went to the back yard and hand threw myself some clays.

Feels good and it is light. Fit and finish are good too.

It's lighter than my M2 and feels like it kicks less.

So far I quite like it.

Been looking at the Deluxe model in 28 gauge.

Nice COCK.

Great pics, Sammo.

CockS! Plural.

Any SammO pic without SammO is a waste of pixels.




Travis

I didn't even know they made that. I'd like to try one.




Travis

The others are ok, I guess.

I wonder if Gruff is getting any pretty COCK?

Who?





Clark

Shot lots of young birds this year. Not many with the really long tails so far. Not sure what that means.

I believe it was all the rain.

It means some are born with longer tails than others.




Travis

Allow me to defer to Wages, only long tailed cocks around here!




Actually I'm guessing the first hatch got rained or hailed out and the hens had re-do. What Jim said...

We've got a little flock of really young birds hanging around the silage pile. The roosters are just now barely showing a little color.

We also had golf ball size hail back in June...

Keep shooting, I have to wait til Nov. Good job there guys.

I'm sitting this weekend out. Even the all-weather roads are greasier than a hobo's ass.




Travis

From yesterday, Dad switched to his other Benelli and went 3/3 on roosters.

You could be right. I always figured the long tailed birds were holdovers from last year. Which would mean bad survival rates this past winter.

But that was just my guess. They may grow faster than that and a bird with a month or two lead time could really be that much bigger.

Went out and collected another 3 around great falls today. Young birds there too. So it seems like a state wide thing.

There is a fairly noticeable difference in numbers here locally and it sure seems to correlate with the hail streak.

The younger roosters all have fairly even tail feathers and you are probably right that last years birds have the (double) long ones.


What does FWP say, a 2-3 year old bird is an old one?



I went out for a walk earlier today. Jumped one rooster but he was up and out before I could get turned around.

A dog would be nice as it's pretty much a needle in the hay stack type of hunt down by the river.

Me and a few friends Had a great time with my Beretta muzzle loader and the hammer doubles a few days back
Cat

I think the stat is 97% of the pheasant pop is under 3 years old. At least, that is what stick in my mind.

That's a nice pile of birds. Not sure I've killed enough of them yet to hunt with a gun like that. Looks like you would need some patience.

Shooting that gun is a dream, same as an other O/U- the trick is to reload it in a fairly expedient manner if the dogs are birdy!
LOL! I have had birds fly past me when the middle of loadng!
Cat

My upland season has been pretty slow.. But we got into some feral pigeons.. Maggie loved it!!!!

She's really growing isn't she....

Good girl Maggie....

Yes she is.. A year ago this Oct. we picked her up.. She has a ways to go, but she is a great hunter..

A good start for me and Amigos.

I will say it is!!! Nice!!

What dog is this on the left in the pic?

Man those must be some heavy roosters if they can make a building lean like that!

Looks like a French Brit to me

my 2year griff is doing well

That's a lot of COCK!




Travis

cool coloration on some of those roosters

Yep French Brit with a hair cut.

How do you like it? I almost bought a French Brit about 10 years ago. Went with the American version instead.

I hear mixed reviews.

Yeah they are the melanistic roosters, dark blues and greens in the plumage!
Cat

The french ones wave a white flag when a cock gets aggressive.


Nice pics everybody. They are taking the corn off all around me now so the birds and the deer are starting to move as well.

My friend's griffon does not retrieve, just stays with the bird.

Does yours retrieve well?

Went for a quick walk after work yesterday. Didn't jump any cocks but ran into a few of these which is fairly rare for our neck of the woods.

Sam,

We had a late hatch, or maybe only the late-hatch birds survived right around here this year. Had an August hail storm in and around town that resulted in "drifts" a foot deep in some ditches, but areas 10 miles north and south were almost unhit.

A few days after the pheasant opener my Lab got birdy in a small patch of cover maybe 200 yards from the parking area on some public land. I suspect it was hen, but got ready anyway. A big "hen" got up in easy range, so I didn't even fully shoulder the gun--but then as it flew away the light-angle changed and I could see a little color, and then it started cackling. By that time, of course, it was out of range.

Got two roosters, however, in about an hour's hunting 15 miles south of there today, one a bird of the year but obviously born much earlier.

He's a pretty good dog,pointing and finding birds he's as good as any. A little weak on retrieving but he's excellent at tracking and finding dead birds but usually he lets you come get the bird or more often the drahthaar ends up doing all the retrieving.

His size holds him back in heavy cover where a lab or drahthaar would just push through.

Overall he does pretty good and at 10 years old he has incredible endurance and drive.

Sam,

Our sharptails look just like that. I prefer to ground pound them but you can knock four of them out of the tree pretty easy.




Travis

Does your bird vest have an internal frame?

JB, long tails flying all over the place today.

Luckily I just happened to find an old shotgun laying in an old truck!


No 401k and the pay sucks, but.......





Flave, you are not much of an elite snob.
(lifting pinky while sipping Coors Light.....)

At about 10 months she had some hiccups with full retrieves. She would drop about 10 feet away from me.

I went back to basics and reintroduced live birds and used praise and food as a reward and with in a week she again was loving to do retrieves


She loves to retrieve ducks, pheasants etc

she has done a few long distance retrieves on wounded ducks and on chukar. couldn't be happier with her

No.

But there is a frame under the bed of my truck.



Travis

After school special!

WTF is that?!


A tactical Franky?

Iowa's pheasant season is not open yet but spent Tuesday afternoon in east-central SD with some good company and their dogs. It was way too warm for my tastes and there is still a lot of crop in the fields and while I sensed there were fewer birds than the previous several years we did limit out in three, four hours.

And celebrated with a "low and slow" recipe the next evening:

That fuggin looks tasty

Nice

Do you ever work?

Nice

It's not "lay down friendly."




Dave

You'd have to define "work."

And "ever."




Travis

Force fetch cures all....

Used to force fetch train all my dogs and it does work

My last two dogs I opted not to due to their personalities and they were both great retrievers

I think depends on dog

I limit my formal training somewhat first 18 months and work on prey drive socialization and developing a bond with dog

Everyone of course has their own methods

Glad to read that!! Due to my schedule and location that's about all I have been able to accomplish in 12mos! Doing some more work with homers and a remote launcher to try to get the point better. Once he points he stays until the flush. Then he turns into a deaf, brown rocket!

Spent last week in SW North Dakota. Pheasants are down quite a bit from the last few years where I hunt, but there are still enough to keep it interesting. Hunting should get better in the next few weeks as more of the sunflowers and corn get harvested. There were some very young roosters that were barely colored out. Must have been a second hatch after the first one failed for some reason.

My old Lab tires pretty quickly these days. I have to think about getting a pup so she can show a young one the ropes.

Jerry

Just a heads up, the snakes are still out in force.

One of my new pups was bitten in the face by a rattler yesterday.

Hear that?

It's the sound of a beer cracking and me staying home.




Travis

Michigan Ruffed Grouse/Woodcock trip in the bag. Hot, leaves still on thick and windy. Good numbers of Woodcock if you wanted to chase them, but Grouse numbers were the attraction. Shots were few and fleeting with the leaves and wind, the heat was hard on the Dogs, but still managed to get a few. On the last day had the three easiest shots, but didn't connect. Some multiple 4 and 5 Bird flushes in the thick. Over 75 Grouse flushes for a 6 day trip, most of which we didn't get to shoot at, but Dogs had many contacts.

Merlot keeps improving into his 2nd year. Pretty good trip.

Yes, sounds like a good trip. Nice dog.

Does ND typically have good bird hunting? Do they have grouse?




Travis

You were hunting in Michigan?

What do you mean about the heat being hard on the dogs? I have never hunted Michigan.



Travis

Heat--Nooo,not that heat. Although Merlot was feeling it and tried to work on a female Pointer Dog.

Temperature heat: It was 65-70 and the Dogs were panting hard in the thick. Last day was the best when temps dropped down in the 40's for most of the day. We were not all the way up to the Upper and perhaps it was cooler further N.

75 flushes is pretty damn good

how were the ticks?

I hunted NW WI last year for grouse and they were terrible. Never seen them that bad in October

God job

That's a bit confusing to me but I'm glad you enjoyed your hunt.




Travis

Hunters didn't live up to the Dog work as far as a good job goes. Although two Dogs decided to take a dump in their kennel in the pickup bed, which lowered their rating some.

Anyway, no ticks that were found on a total of 8 Dogs. Mine were styling Seresto collars.
The two of us also didn't find any. They seemed to be absent in that area of Mich.

Nice hunter friendly people up there. Ran into one guy who lives back in the timber a good bit. Perhaps 4 miles from a hard road and 10+ from a town with nothing but wood between. Pretty bunged up, but he directed us to a couple out there spots.

Asked him how cold it got in the winter. He said 20 below and a little more some times and he goes thru about 20 cords a winter. Educated and interesting fellow who said screw the town.

Crossed quite a few trees that had some high Elk rubs.

Addition: He had his own dozer back there to plow his way out on two tracks in case the need arose. But it broke down last year. Didn't seem to worry him all that much.

Nice to see folks are getting some birds.. We have had a slow season.. Ringnecks are safe til Nov.. Battue, we spend some time near my wife's folks near the straits.. Hunted grouse there some, but that flat, swampy country is NOT my favorite.. Glad you had a good hunt..
Jim hope the dog heals fast..
ribka, nice photos..
flave, glad you can fit work into your hunting schedule. Keep the pic's coming.. Love to see what everyone is doing..

I haven't hunted other states for a long time, but the spots I hunt in ND are the best I've ever seen. This year is an exception. Must have had a bad rain at the wrong time during the hatch.

Sharptails are sometimes mixed in with the pheasants, but not in big numbers. Had a covey of 12 fly by one evening while we were standing on a road talking with the guns put away. See an occasional Hun, but pretty rare.

Jerry

Made it out chasing pheasants this morning. I wanted to take my old female to an easy spot close to home. It's tree rows that were planted in CRP years ago. They plowed up the CRP last year on pheasant opener and planted corn. The corn is off now so figured this might be a hot spot.

I figured out quickly that my soon to be 12 year old pointing lab still has the will but not the stamina or agility that she used too. She stumbled over the gopher mounds and tripped quite a bit but she gave it whirl. We did not find any birds here but it was a beautiful 34* morning with ground haze and no wind. We had fun.

Here are some quick cell phone photos I took when we started:









Here she's getting pretty petered out:

Here she is a few years ago during a good hunt in the CRP mentioned above:

And here she is in her prime (the dog that is). That daughter is 23 and married now:

Today was our pheasant opener, windy and raining but still made it out. Took my grandfathers 51' wingmaster out. Ive gave it a refinishing couple years ago, rust blueing, new but used 26" IC barrel, new pachmayer brown pad, nice lightweight gun. First bird I flushed, I shot and heard another shot right after. Another fella ran over and grabbed it so thought, Oh' well. Next bird I flushed I dropped without competition. My last bird I spotted sneaking into the woods, I put the moves on him and he flushed out over a high grass field. I dropped him but had a hell of a time finding him. As I was looking for him I was shootin the breeze with some other hunters and their dog flushed another bird. Good day considering the weather. I used some low brass winchester 4's I picked up for late season rabbit hunting. Much more gentle than high brass 5's I usually use and work just as well.

7 beautiful old lab... Tough to see them age so quickly.. Lost my 11.5 year old Peach a year ago this Sept.. But have a 4 year old Kate, and Maggie just over one year.. Good luck the rest of the season..

Tom, nice shooting there.. Haven't been to Pa. for pheasants for several years.. Now that the camp is gone, probably won't make it for birds maybe next year for deer.. Have a good one.. That old Wingmaster is a nice one.. I have several, but all later models.. Still a great shotgun..

Nice COCK.




Travis

That new pup seems to be working out just fine....I'm glad to see it....

Thank you,

He has come far in his short time. Has a good nose; as of now, actually better than Toby the black Cocker. He should turn out fine if I can get him into enough Birds. Unfortunately, our local Grouse numbers are down. He does have an uncanny ability to quickly locate the fall of a downed Bird. He has done it on Birds that he couldn't have seen the Bird when shot or where it hit.

Little runt, but full of drive. He is digging on the kennel floor to get out when you come up to let him out.

In addition, fun happy go lucky personality. The world is his apple.

Thanks again,

Kate and her first wild rooster.

in my local Wi bar

I've seen hats for sale like that at a truck stop in Watertown, SD.

It's deer-thirty but I can't keep my mind off of COCK!

Nice old Wingmaster , love the early style 870s.

Thanks Ive got another, mod barrel and non-corncobb forend thats usually my pheasant gun. The one pictured is very light for a 12 and is usually my grouse/rabbit gun.

deflave- I hear ya, bucks are running does hard around here. I took Friday off to hunt, but in the morning said screw it and went pheasant hunting again.

You are all bird slayers.

Kingston,

What are those? Robins?




Dave

Ruffed Grouse

I don't think I've ever encountered one of those.

What shotgun are you using?



Travis

It's an old Parker.

Just read through this whole thread, loving the pics and the stories. Glad to see y'all are getting into birds!

My season hasn't started yet. Moved to south TX in September, which sucks for hunting this year... first, the move has seriously eaten up my free time for hunting, and second, there ain't a lot of upland birds here. But I've got a line on a guy up in the Panhandle who breeds and trains Brittany's, and I'm going up to see him some time here in late November. Might end up with a new bird dog if I like the way his dogs hunt.

Of course, that will mean I'll have to plan September trips to Montana and NoDak, October trips to SoDak, November and December to the Panhandle and Kansas. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!

Doc,

I have hunted COCK in the best COCK country known to man, and the stuff in the panhandle is second to none for wild birds.

You will need an "in" as is always the case in that POS state but if you can find one, you will kill lots of COCK.



Travis

Doc, Let me know if you're looking for company!

Dave, I've heard the same thing about Panhandle COCK-bustin'... I'm slated to do a duck hunt up there in December with an outfitter who also leases land for pheasant hunts. I'm trying to find someone with a decent gun dog who can go with me.

I'm gonna see if ol' eyeball can get free from his loving wife for a coupla days...

Hey, Kingston! Where you at? Gotta decent gun dog?

My dog is as good as they come for flushing and finding pheasant.

But I can't see driving to Texas for COCK.

Not even yours...




Dave

Can't fault you on that one, Flave. Hunting COCKS is great, but making that trip would be coals to Newcastle.

OTOH, I am seriously considering a September trip to Montana next year when the Huns are still thick. I'd drive a loooooong way for a good week's Hun-hunting.

I hate huns.

But you'll usually find them in the same fields as the sharps.






Dave

I always suspected Texas was the place to go if a guy wanted COCK.

Somehow, I just knew it.

Montana still has the biggest COCKS though.

I even have the shirt to prove it.

Big cocks or lots of cocks

Tough decision

Some ND cocks form today

We need a 24hrc cock hunt next year boyz

Nice!

That would be fun

Heading back east after trout fishing for a couple weeks hopefully pressure has died off and the birds have settled back down.

Repeated this scene 5x last week. Doesn't get much better than walking behind a good bird dog.

You boys sure have some nice COCK pics.





Travis

I bought my M2 in Plentywood. On my birthday. I deserved better in life.




Travis

You boys have it pretty good and another great pic.

Battle, how have you been doing with pheasants? Our season opens Sat. Will miss the opener we after whitetails and turkey this week. Then the wife has a Doc. Appt. Tues. Start for roosters We'd.. Best of luck to you and everyone else.

Yes you did. You deserved a Beretta.

Junk.




Travis

Not all that great. Been finding Birds on the Gamelamds but the weather has been hot for the most part. Buds have shot seven, but as of yet I've only had one shot and flubbed it. With no heavy frosts yet around here the covers are still nasty thick where we go.

Hunted one huge area the other day for six hours. Most of the time in Goldenrod up to your waist and higher. Put up six and all but one flushed wild in front of the Dogs. Temp around 72 and it's been hard on the Dogs. Merlot's ribs are showing and so far this season I'm down 4-5 pounds myself. Toby on the othe hand just muscles up more. Kind of amazing for a 11YO Dog.

Daughter wants a Wild Turkey for Thanksgiving so have to work on that this week.

WWDTU?

Ya gotta laugh....


Hot at 80 here today and I said no on the Bird hunting. Might as well go to the rifle range and make sure another rifle is ready for Deer season.


Sooooooo, what do I cross paths with? Guess it was too hot back in the thick stuff....






Tried to snipe a Turkey in the late evening, but in spite of tracks up and down the dried up dirt logging road, none showed.

Gorgeous dog, FC!

Where was this, near a PA Gamelands, public range?

Stocked Birds I'm sure on a open membership gun club property. Who stocked them I wouldn't know. However, an area where we used to shoot wild birds frequently.

Excelente!

Took out the Simson suhl sxs today

65 and sunny in ND

4 days hunting and my Griff is getting tired

I do give her plenty of rest ,food and water

Couple dozen great points today on wild birds

Most were hens but great learning for young dog. Outthink ing the cagey roosters who like to run. I like to sit back and wTch the dog pick apart the terrain. Not the prettiest point but she is a heck of a bird dog

I really need to bury my jealous bone.


Nice work, all of you.

Got my fal turkey this morn. We are away from home so pics. will be later . Good luck Battue with the turkey & pheasants..
Ribka, sounds like you are tearing the up.. Good job..

That's a happy tired!

Anybody missing a sweater !

I like my sweaters to be a little more gaudy.



Travis

That's awesome! I hope to do the same thing in a couple weeks. Hanks first run at wild birds and my first trip to NoDak.

Nice!



Travis

I'm gonna name you Captain Compassion.




Travis

Great and waiting on the pic.

Saw about 6 Turkeys going to roost this evening. About 200yards away and walking in and out of knee high goldenrod. Thought they would come down the two track. They didn't. Then tried to cut them off, I didn't.

Pheasants tomorrow.

Good luck tomorrow !

Four from yesterday. Gameland Birds, but we and the Dogs had to dig them out of nasty thick in the background, which was up to my chest and neck. Toby had to go and find one that was a runner. Without Dogs it would have taken some lucky finding to bring two of the others out. Merlot, the little guy gets credit for them.

If I didn't have a dog I wouldn't have had a single COCK this year.

Off to Scobey.


XOXOXO,
Travis

That's ok, a handshake will do.

Do you know where that hand has been?



RS

Nice bag there battue.. Beautiful dogs..

deflave, good luck in Scobey!!!

SamO!

PM number. I'm into COCK! Double fisting!

The old girl!

Looks cool!

Why does it have two barrels?



Travis

Because three is too many.

To be correct: COCKS flushed by COCKERS. Well to be honest, one was pointed by a no-account pointer

Mighty fine shotgun you have there Kingston.

No, but we are talking cyber here.

Pfffffft good luck killing them with two barrels.

Five shots of five is where it's at.





Travis

Quickies do have there place, but sometimes.....

Addition: You know, take two on the same stick and then come back for more later.

BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!



Travis

I remember those days. Birds everywhere. Now they are harder to find and it takes longer to reload. Enjoy it whole it lasts.

Man, you guys are winding me up! I got no dog, and bird season ain't open here yet... ducks just opened, thank God, so I'll at least get to blast some quackers this week if stxhunter can get away from work. But it ain't upland bird hunting. God, I need a gun dog!

good job

amazing your dogs' coats are so sticker free

Any thick cover out west seems to have burdock

In the background that is Goldenrod with a bottom coat of switch grass. Not a lot of jaggers. Around it lots of Cockleburs and other jaggers. Not far away is a big swamp. Get around it and things change as far as the stickers go.

Merlot has fine hair which helps, but at the end of a day he usually has picked up some. Toby is the opposite and if you don't shave him down frequently he turns into living velcro.

Our upland season has been very slow.. It seems all the grouse, blues and ruffed, as well as huns,and chukar had very poor hatches... We did have some decent shooting on sage grouse.. But we just made a deer/turkey hunt to the eastern part of the state.. First day, I walked into this bird and a number of others while still hunting.. One 63gr. Sierra from my old .22-250 made him into Thanksgiving dinner!!!

Thanks!

I just put a deposit on a dog! The litter is due the day after Thanksgiving. I'm also got in line for a dog from another breeder next summer. I'm getting back in the saddle.

Breeks are über and auto loaders clash with my breeks.

Congrats!

Been trying to do the same with a .22-250, but they have been giving me the slip.

battue, best of luck..

Nice shootin WyoCoyoteHunter, I plan on trying for the same once I get some vension laid up.

Those days only end when you stop being mobile.

There is always good COCK country.




Travis

Nice!



Travis

All went well Saturday afternoon.

This morning was nothing but mishaps.

Some COCK porn.

Uber turkey pic Wyo!



Flave, looks like all those cock have short tail feathers?

Have to agree, being willing to travel does make a difference.

They appeared to be standard issue.

There was one small cock knocked down that day. By somebody else...



Clark

I was just teasing your cock.




When are you going through da Point?

Nice shooting deflave.. Thanks for the kind words everyone..
Keep bagging those birds.. We are heading out Wed. for roosters..

When the COCK crows three times, I'll know you have betrayed me.




Love,
A more Gentile-esque version of Jesus.

Cocksman, I shall beckon you in the morn....

Six hour hike for two Gameland Pheasants. 7+ miles on the IPhone app. These Birds are supposed to be easy. You would have a hard time making the Dogs agree. Other two guys took 3 more, with two being Roosters.

finished up ND with a double

Kind of made up for my sometimes spotty shooting

Nice work both of you.. We leave Wed. for a week or so looking for roosters...

Wish I could say they were wild Birds but it's what we have. Have to say tho, they had been out for a while and had learned how to use their legs. Had quite a few that the Dogs were working thru the fields that lifted off out there; a couple others that left when we made too much noise. Hot again in the afternoon.

I park at least 200 yards from the hunting area, close car doors quietly and dog stays on a leash until arrive at the area. I still see roosters taking off from 200 yds away.

Those roosters love to run and it can be a real challenge for the dogs especially when you have multiple runners.

Seems cattails always hold birds

love me some CP

Finally killed one with decent Spurs.

What gets me is when roosters flush behind a guy. Especially when you nearly stepped on them about a 30 seconds earlier....


I need a dog. Really need a dog....

Weird ass hippy diet that bird was on. Some kind of worm and juniper berry. 4 other birds (2 were grouse) from that area today were all loaded with grain.

Was thinking cock when the boys went on point but I was able to keep it together enough to get 3 shots off.

Hey, finally got my dogs into some pheasants!!!! They were completely nuts for the first hours.. It was like Wheeeeeeee it's that time of year again!!! Kate knew the ropes, but Maggie caught on quickly.. She made a flush and retrieve on our first limit of the season.. Needless to say I was proud of her and Kate!! While they were a bit wild, if they could type they might say the old man missed a couple easy shots!!
We had a great time with beautiful weather!! Nothing to do but repeat it for a week or so!!!!

Rooster!!!! Or if you are with DeFlave Cock!!!!


Glad you got into them and the Dogs did well. Get some more and enjoy the week.

Thanks battue,we got into them again today near the same spot.. will post tomorrow.. Happy hunting!!

Nice shooting boys.




Travis

GREAT photo!!!!

Three of us and 4 Dogs flushed or pointed around 15 today on Gamelands. Most ran and flushed out of range. 7 gave chances and 6 came out.

Nice job battue.. They out foxed us today.. Miss a fair shot.. Maggie was trailing to my left, and Kate to the right. 180 degrees apart.. Maggie had the bird, but it jumped a bit far.. Some excuse is better than none.!!!! She is turning into a first rate dog.. She bores though brush like it is not there, and has and excellent nose.. I guess we all like to brag on our children... Katie is good, but I think Maggie is more aggressive.. Beautiful dogs there!!

Again, not the real deal. But they have been out a bit. Couple Roosters took off real early, three we shot were sitting tight and 3 made a half decent game of it.

Glad your new Dog is coming along and bragging on them is what we do.


After Pheasant drove N to try for a last chance Turkey. No luck, but did run into this guy/girl who probably has just recently been kicked out of the family. I guess around 150lbs or so. We stared at each other for a bit and then:

"Whinnie the Poo, knew what to do...."












His hide was shining perfect, the pic doesn't do it credit.

Cool picture!! Were you shooting one of you doubles on the pheasant hunt? What loads do you use? I have found these RST loads just great... Right now I have for my 12
3dram -1 1/4ozs of # 5's. An easy shooting load that kills well.. When we are though hunting for a day or so, we are going to Billings... I want to pick up a couple bx. of WW Whitewing loads.. 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 -7's.. The old timers say it was a great grouse load!! Keep up the fine pictures!! Makes me a bit homesick for those mountains!!!!

Yes, the old Parker that was my Fathers. It is heavier than what I like-especially in the thick for Grouse-but I have little doubt, that on Pheasants, where I usually have more time I shoot it better.

Load is a mild one. Estate brand-16ga-2.5dram-1oz-No6-1165FPS. Haven't stretched it past 30yards or so this year, but it has pretty much given nothing but head flops and they haven't gone far from where they hit the ground. There is another load of Remington 1oz, 5's. Out in the 4 Runner, so the rest of the particulars not currently sure of, but again it is a mild load.

Out in the more open real Pheasant country, I may want harder shot if I found the ranges were commonly further.

Could have done better on the last couple Bird pictures, but the two guys I hunt with are not much into pics or waiting around.

Great pics Battue. Can't say that I've run into a bear yet while birdhunting.

Wow...that's a crawl full of worms!

Not all that uncommon here in Pa. Once in late Grouse season, followed a set of Grouse tracks to a blowdown. No Grouse, but the Dog started barking. Looked hard, and down in a depression was Blackie. He/she slowly raised it head-at which time, I jumped back-but then just as slowly laid it back down.

We moved off and let him be.

Couple other times we have crossed paths. Once in Spring turkey when I inadvertently got between a Sow and Cubs. This involved some teeth snapping, but I backed off and they went on their way.


Another time Dog put two Cubs up a tree and wouldn't come. The Sow sat down and watched about 50-60 yards off.
Finally I had to go and get him and she continued her sit. Got him away, stayed back and watched. They finally came down and off all three went.

battue, Great stuff about the bears.. They are far more common there in Pa. than 50 years ago.. Exciting stuff!! Never had anything like that happen in the 45 years I have been west..

We are still hunting pheasants.. First couple days were limits.. Now we are getting one or two a day.. But Maggie is still young.. When she is NOT being a PITA, she is wonderful.. Her joy at getting a rooster is something to see!!

Been shooting 5's, but they are about gone so will switch to Fed.. 3 1/4 -1 1/4 -#6.. A wonderful time of year!

Another single yesterday!!! Maggie is celebrating !!!!

Congrats and a head pat for Maggie!!!!

Three of us and 4 Dogs-1 four month old Pointer pup-roamed around some big fields for 5.5hours, almost hit 8miles, and ended up with somewhere around 20 points and flushes and came home with 5. Good day and the temps finally started cooling off. Toby shined with a couple long retrieves.

Wyo, Battue, nice hunting and pics!

Sam, thanks..

battue, your little guy is coming along fine.. Maggie gets a pat on the head, but tonight she was a little wild.. Found a honey hole missed by others.. Still for her first season, she is doing fine..

16 ga. Parker????

He is coming along ok for his second year. Getting a lot of contacts, and sometimes seems ready to fly. Then the next you know he isn't. If he learns to work air scent better, then he should take off. Still with enough contacts, hopefully the switches will all turn on. Already getting solid on finding downed Birds. Kinda amazing really for a two year old. Retrieving is solid.


16Ga old Parker. Made to be a Pheasant gun and still doing just that.

I'd like to steal that little white dog and let it live in the house.
(and take it hunting)

Sam,

You let that little white Dog live outside, and he may somehow find his one mean gene and turn into a biter. Must admit, I'm sure you would find him more than a little fun to ride along with in the truck while checking things out. Curious is one of his strong points, and nothing is allowed to track his yard. Almost ritual for him wake up and then go stand up at the window to look out and see if any have violated his space overnight.

In addition, a horny little toad. For some reason he took a liking to a Buds big Pointer. He was looking for a hole; any hole. Eye, ear, you name it, didn't matter.

Sounds like my kind of dog!

Last evening we found a honey hole that had been over looked til we stumbled in there.. What a find..

I'm batting about .300 on huns this year for some reason


Good shooting

I think the reason is they're Huns and not easy.

That triple surprised me.

Great pics everyone.

Been really enjoying this!

I named my dog Rooster so the guys that come hunting with me have to yell COCK! You know...so they don't confuse the dog and stuff....It really has nothing to do with me giggling like a 12 year old when they yell COCK!

There are some really great pics on here guys! Love it!

Giving my new Model 11 a workout in New Mexico.

.

They must have recently put Birds out because they were everywhere. Also should have been four Cocks in that bunch, but there was some missing going on.

Two Buds and four other friends that tolerate us.

4-month-old pup in the background pointed his first Bird.

YO

NICE

always great to witness a dogs first point

dogs hunt together well?

Excellent!!!! Looks like good cover.. Parker????

Ribka,

I didn't get to see the point. However, from the details, it was on a Hen that was willing to wait. Brian, the guy on the left who also has the other Pointer, said she stopped and fortunately he was close. The bird flushed and naturally the pup broke.

On the whole, they work well. The adult Pointer is usually out ahead of mine. If their beeper goes off, then I can usually bring the flushers in and not mess up the point. Toby the black Springer pretty much would hear the beeper and stop. However, with the new guy the jealousy gene has kicked in and he wants to be the first in on a retrieve.

If the flushers pick-up the scent first then it is theirs to go for it.

Often if they pick-up scent, I let them work it and I catch up to the guys down the line, if it is one they don't put up quickly.

Flushers Toby and Merlot do almost all of the retrieving and finding down birds.

Didn't have many big runners today in that these Birds hadn't been out that long. However, a Bird that gets up and is crossing or going away at 30 yards isn't all that much different than the real thing. The GC does a better than good job of having the Birds flight conditioned.


WCH:

Brian on the left uses a Beretta Ultralight O/U. Sam on the right was using an SKB SxS 20Ga. Usually uses a semi 12.

I used the old Parker 16 again.

Addition: on that place, I could only guess the acreage of cover like that planted exclusively for Pheasants. Maybe a thousand. Different pieces all over. Some of the individual pieces, it takes 4-5hours to hunt the majority of it. Great place to introduce a Dog new to the game. They should get a gang of contacts that speeds up the learning curve.

Gear update:

Had two pairs of pants that pretty much gave up the ghost at the same time. Frayed, buttons falling off, holes in pockets, etc. Picked up a pair of LL Bean "Uplander pro Brier pants". A little heavy if it is warm, but a solid pair of upland pants.

On sale, 20% off.

Great pic Harry! Is Brian's pup from Gary's Line?

Ken,

Yes, the Pup came from Gary. Don't know much about the male-but you can bet he has proved himself-but the female is one Ruffed Grouse finding machine. The GL Pheasants wouldn't stand a chance. Not much to look at, but has everything else. The sad part is she hit 5YO and that is the end of the line for Gary. If I was into Pointers I would bring her home. In addition, a gentle soul. Unfortunately, she is going to a shooting preserve. Damn shame, she deserves a home.

Thanks for the weather heads-up. The rain and wind arrived.

battue, not birds, but saw you got your old hunting grounds back!! Great news enjoy!! We are heading home tomorrow,, Great pheasant trip.. Some goose hunting, maybe some elk hunts then off to the south for birds.. Great luck with Pa.s deer season.. Maybe next year!!

Yes it is good news, for me anyways, not so much for someone else who lost a chunk of cash. Could have done fine without it, but looking forward to roaming around on it again for Deer. Used to be Grouse Central, now I hate to shoot one there.

There is a big lake/swamp close by where we were hunting Pheasants; from the sounds of it, the Geese were being hit fairly hard. Those big boomers were ringing out frequently early.


Good luck with the rest of your hunts and keep us up to date with what is going on.

Winter blew in overnight. Took a long time to get here.

This was the first time my wife ever went hunting. She happened to be off the same day as I was and she said she wanted to go with. So I picked her out a shotgun that fit her and we went. She missed her first one but made a great shot on this one.

Excellent!!! Looks like a Rem. special field!!

Yep, LT 20ga. None of my O/U's fit her. I mostly use my CZ wingshooter 28ga. Very rarely do I miss with that gun.

Well, that worked out better than good. Congrats to both of you.

Nice! Nothing like starting off a new bird hunter!

Battue- My neighbor is from the Pittsburgh area and has told me about how he like to hunt pheasants there. Your pics are making me think that if not this year, then next I'll talk him into a road trip! Congrats on the birds!

Hank and I with his first wild rooster!

We did find quite a few birds in NoDak!

Nice.. Thanks for the pictures!!

Thanks,

But it's what we have and it isn't N.D.

Unfortunately.

Addition: Conrats to both Hank and you on your first team Bird.

After I posted yesterday I looked up the dates and noticed that pheasant is open in PA until 2/28. And the 7 day license is only $32. We have some tentative plans to maybe give it a go after the New Year. He's most familiar with places in WMU 2A, but I'm going to do some research on places in 2B as well since it's close and open to hens and roosters. I'll let you know if things pan out.

They have one Christmas stocking. Hit it right and you can have fun. Christmas stocking will be almost exclusively hens.

Then it depends on which GL you are hunting, how big it is and how much pressure it gets. Wrong one and it isn't much fun.

If he is familiar with what is going on in 2A, it may be great.

Guaranteed bet, if you don't have all your Pheasants in a row would be a nice hunting preserve.

Upland season must be on hold for deer season!!!

Do Squirrels count? I'm seeing more than ever. Big Grays with fat tails. May have to give them a go with the .22lr when they come back in.

Pointer, great pics. You're sexy as ever but that dog of yours looks like schit.

Get a lab.




Dave

Anybody that shoots squirrel with a shotgun is from another continent.




Dave

nice

how did your dog react on his first bird?

Guy I knew used to say he would rather have a sister that works in a whorehouse, than a brother that shoots Squirrels with a shotgun.

I was hunting some public land on the east coast and a pack of not-white people were floored that I was packing a 10/22.

Anyway, grab 'em by the pussy...

A mature wing shot drummer from the New Brunswick's Upper Miramichi region:



My old springer spaniel Sadie doesn't appreciate me interrupting her hunt for pictures.

Nice Dog, I'm partial to those big bull Springers.

He knew something was there, just didn't know what really. Just as he pointed it flushed and he retrieved it almost to hand without a blink. Didn't take him long to catch on to the game. He's far from good, but that many wild birds was a great teacher and seems to have really improved his pointing.

First place we stopped at he just ran and ran in circles sniffing and peeing on everything. I can't blame him, the 17+hr drive was long for me too!

'flave- He hunts more like a lab than he should so does that count?

Best thing about labs is they can take a solid punch!




Dave

And you think a breed made by Germans doesn't have that built in?

My uncle and I had a pretty good hunt this past weekend around Greensburg, Kansas. In a full misty day Saturday and a beautiful half day Sunday we got into 11 coveys of quail and killed 15 birds and managed to kill 8 pheasants. Most of the pheasant we saw flushed wild and out of range. I took my 1 year old GSP and my 10 year old lab. Both dogs did well and the pup did very good considering she has only been on pen raised quail during field trials to this point. SHe has some good solid points on quail and long retrieves on pheasant. The only disappointment to the weekend was the amount of land that has been taken out of Walk In hunting and is now either leased or posted around Greensburg.

Perry

Started the season with grouse back in Minnesota:


I had help:




Off to Montana:


Some of those roosters had heads the size of cats! We named this one "Brock Lesner":


A frosty morning of truck camping on Fort Peck Reservoir, where we ate Brock and some of his buddies.

Penny had her first experience with Sharptails; she done good:


After deer season intermission, back to Kansas. Penny still needs her exercise, as do I.


Besides, the little critters are tasty!

Took the Berreta out for a few birds this fall- in fact I used it more than my Westley Richards this year!

Keeping up with the younger GSP's is getting tougher every year for this 11 year old Griff!

Great round of pics!

Penny seems to always be looking for that next bird!

Penny is not real big on "savoring the moment". Her nose is sniffing for the next bird or she's listening to distant rooster cackles or sharptail "chuckling".

Yes, very nice!


The Rez closed 3 weeks ago(?), so I haven't been out.

Sam, I think I was in your neighborhood. I thought it would be nice to meet you, but that you were too busy bringing babies you found to barren women.


BUFFALOOOOOOOO!

If you drove east from Wolf Point you would have drove right by.

Mesabi!

Nice work. Like that shotgun.






Dave

She seems like a gamer! Hope my pooch turns out that well. Congrats again

Nice pup.

I'm taking care of my brothers while he's away for the holidays.

Dog is a clown.Insisted on pestering the [bleep] out of me while I swapped the plow mount on the 4 wheeler today.

Pudelpointer?? Either way a good looking dog! There's a couple of spots on the Bovine Mtns south of Grouse Creek that I'd love to get Hank to for some education with chukars.

I hoping to draw both a pronghorn and a sage grouse permit for UT next year. Though flying would be easier/cheaper I'm seriously thinking of driving just so the dog can get a crack at a stinking bomber!

Since my dog isn't a young pup anymore and can't hunt like we used to, here are some pictures from years past. I can only take him out for an hour or so each day, before the ice starts making his paws bleed like my ex did on the 15th of every month. I will give it a go again this afternoon though.

I just can't get into chasing birds without a good dog. There seems to be less birds here in Idaho this year too, as compared to years past.

Please excuse the non-upland pictures

Great pics Inman!

He says its a drahthaar..I kinda questioned that a little but hey..

I have no idea if i'll be around or not, I might have to stay on the road a little longer this next year..But i can certainly give you some recent intel.

If you dont get your Utah sage grouse permits, or want more shooting on them drop me a PM, I can put you in a hot area just over the border.

Getting into chukars shuoldnt be too hard with your special map

I could see it being a drahthaar. If I draw I'll be in touch to see if you're around. The pronghorn and grouse permits will be for Rich Co as that's my old stomping grounds. I may take you up on the spot across the border!

That special map can come in handy...

Props, Luvin' the YellaHammer if only relateable...

T man, love those dog photos.. They sure worm their way into our hearts..Nice shooting also..

So, many nice Dogs and great hunts.

WCH: Great thread, you nailed it with this one.

Shotgun for the ages, and two Kings of the Uplands.

agreed , straight grip with splinter forend and double triggers, drool..AND a Vizsla, sonofabitch



Pointer, I havent hunted to bovines in september, but late season its been some of the best chukar hunting i've had.

I've gotten into them in September there, but if it's warm it might get a bit dicey for the dog with the rattlers. A whole bunch of them seem to head there for winter... Though I was only there for work and in summer, but we saw quite a few chukar on the Newfoundlands. Always wanted to make a trip out there for them late in the year but never did.

Good looking dog

Not a class shotgun like some of the above. But when it comes to Ruffed Grouse a Model 59 may be homely, but it was made for the game.

Merlot made a really nice 50 yard or so retrieve on this one with a busted wing.