Another Season in the Books
It looks like our ruffed grouse hunting season has come to an end, as the weather finally turned very wintry (7" of new snow and chilly temps this morning) this weekend. Last week turned out to be the swan song of our season, and a couple of beautiful days afield scratched the itch to pursue grouse before we're anxiously waiting for next fall again.
Last week's weather reminded us of early to mid November conditions, with temps in the forties (nearly 50), and very little snow on the ground. It was a pleasure to walk in, and follow my own bird dogs through the woods again, and they all performed well. Of course, the same couldn't be said of their handler, as I missed a couple birds that I should have had due to Bode's good work, but I did make a shot on a grouse that I thought I might've missed. Rosie bounded off after my shot, and moments later she brought it back to me, a reward for hunting late in the year.
We only managed to get out two afternoons last week (about 5.5 hours), but we still moved 11 grouse in that time, so the action was pretty solid for this time of year. The good conditions were the direct result of a warm spell that melted the snow that we did have, so the desire to get out there a couple more times was irresistible.
Last week's weather reminded us of early to mid November conditions, with temps in the forties (nearly 50), and very little snow on the ground. It was a pleasure to walk in, and follow my own bird dogs through the woods again, and they all performed well. Of course, the same couldn't be said of their handler, as I missed a couple birds that I should have had due to Bode's good work, but I did make a shot on a grouse that I thought I might've missed. Rosie bounded off after my shot, and moments later she brought it back to me, a reward for hunting late in the year.
We only managed to get out two afternoons last week (about 5.5 hours), but we still moved 11 grouse in that time, so the action was pretty solid for this time of year. The good conditions were the direct result of a warm spell that melted the snow that we did have, so the desire to get out there a couple more times was irresistible.
Daylight fades during the final hour of our last grouse hunt. It was wonderful being able to roam the woods for the last time.
It may look like a winter wonderland, but grouse hunting in these conditions can be exhausting and fruitless at times. Hunting on bare ground is more our thing.
Right after Thanksgiving, we received 7"-8" of snow and quite a bit of cold weather that kept it in place for a couple of weeks. Though we wanted to go hunting, the conditions at that time were true "winter grouse hunting" conditions - enough snow to make the walking tricky, and cold wind to make things more miserable.
As you might expect, the hunts that we undertook were usually short and not very productive - a grouse moved here or there, but no shots fired. The dogs worked hard during these sessions too, but there was enough snow to make for less than stellar pointing conditions, and the walking was exhaustive and treacherous at times. Lots of slipping and sliding.
That's why when last week's weather came we just couldn't resist getting out there to take advantage of it.
The season is nearly ten months away again, and we have a fair amount of work to get done between now and then. The most important of which is breeding Rosie this winter and getting another pup started this summer. It's been five years since I've trained a pup, so I'm looking forward to that challenge again.
Our guiding schedule is packed already for next fall, so we are anxious to do it all over again in 2022 ...
As you might expect, the hunts that we undertook were usually short and not very productive - a grouse moved here or there, but no shots fired. The dogs worked hard during these sessions too, but there was enough snow to make for less than stellar pointing conditions, and the walking was exhaustive and treacherous at times. Lots of slipping and sliding.
That's why when last week's weather came we just couldn't resist getting out there to take advantage of it.
The season is nearly ten months away again, and we have a fair amount of work to get done between now and then. The most important of which is breeding Rosie this winter and getting another pup started this summer. It's been five years since I've trained a pup, so I'm looking forward to that challenge again.
Our guiding schedule is packed already for next fall, so we are anxious to do it all over again in 2022 ...
