NH Upland Bird Hunting Update: 10/12
The 2021 grouse and woodcock hunting season is moving along here in northern New Hampshire, and while there have been a few subtle changes in the conditions occurring in the woods over the last week, we are still in what I would term the "first" stage of the grouse hunting season. In other words, there's still plenty of leaves on the trees, providing escape cover for most of the birds that we encounter, and also obscuring our attempts at getting a look at them. Chances for shots have been fleeting, as my clients seem to be able to get a shot off at a quarter to a third of all of the birds that we're moving out there. That's not bad, and out of that number, my clients have generally been able to scratch down a bird or two most days.
As noted in my last post, the slowly falling foliage (yes, it has changed in the last week or so) has been but one impediment to our success early this season. The other has been the uncharacteristically high temperatures that we have had to deal with last weekend and this week. It has caused us to start a bit earlier than usual and most days we are done by noon, preferring not to run the dogs in 70 degree heat. We've been going through a ton of water and have been able to get the dogs in to water in the coverts, whenever the opportunity presents itself, and our string of morning hunts will continue through this week.
To give you an idea of how different the conditions for this year's hunting season have been compared to past years, one only has to look at our lack of a frost to this point in the season. Not only have we not had one yet, but we aren't scheduled to have a frost until approximately October 26, a full month behind schedule from most years. A frost will help greatly in getting the leaves to finally drop in full, as well as lay down the grasses, raspberry thickets and other vegetation that we've had to slog through lately.
There is good news on the way however, as our temperatures are supposed to become more seasonal (fifties) next week, and drop down in to the forties the week after. Should be perfect hunting conditions for us, and scenting conditions for the dogs. The leaves should also be falling in good numbers by then, so shooting opportunities might get better as well ...
As noted in my last post, the slowly falling foliage (yes, it has changed in the last week or so) has been but one impediment to our success early this season. The other has been the uncharacteristically high temperatures that we have had to deal with last weekend and this week. It has caused us to start a bit earlier than usual and most days we are done by noon, preferring not to run the dogs in 70 degree heat. We've been going through a ton of water and have been able to get the dogs in to water in the coverts, whenever the opportunity presents itself, and our string of morning hunts will continue through this week.
To give you an idea of how different the conditions for this year's hunting season have been compared to past years, one only has to look at our lack of a frost to this point in the season. Not only have we not had one yet, but we aren't scheduled to have a frost until approximately October 26, a full month behind schedule from most years. A frost will help greatly in getting the leaves to finally drop in full, as well as lay down the grasses, raspberry thickets and other vegetation that we've had to slog through lately.
There is good news on the way however, as our temperatures are supposed to become more seasonal (fifties) next week, and drop down in to the forties the week after. Should be perfect hunting conditions for us, and scenting conditions for the dogs. The leaves should also be falling in good numbers by then, so shooting opportunities might get better as well ...
Guy Minor, with his grouse taken after one of Rosie's staunch points. He also took three woodcock over her, as she hunted energetically but under control this morning.
As for the hunting over the last week, most sessions have been solid and have had their share of good moments from the dogs. Bode continues to be the workhorse, venturing out nearly every day and hunting very well. He has provided some great opportunities for my hunters this season, and has helped my clients take six birds so far this season.
Monty, at 11 years old, has been going out several times a week and has had some solid sessions, but he was at his best last Saturday when he pointed quite a few woodcock and a grouse in some tough afternoon conditions (it was supposed to be cooler than it turned out to be, but the high sun made things a lot warmer that day). One of those timberdoodles fell to my client's gun, putting Monty "on the board" for this season.
Unquestionably, the star has been Rosie, and she has accounted for nine birds taken by my clients so far this season. Four fell to her points this morning alone - a grouse and three woodcock - and she has hunted beautifully for the guns and handled smoothly for me.
Unfortunately, she also has an injury to her paw (on the top of it) that just won't heal, so she's going to get a little time off while it heals up for the remainder of the season. Anyone that has watched Rosie work can understand how she got the injury, and how it just doesn't seem to heal - she hunts with great gusto, and is all business, throwing caution to the wind when she gets the call.
We have a busy month ahead and I will provide updates whenever possible - stay tuned!
Monty, at 11 years old, has been going out several times a week and has had some solid sessions, but he was at his best last Saturday when he pointed quite a few woodcock and a grouse in some tough afternoon conditions (it was supposed to be cooler than it turned out to be, but the high sun made things a lot warmer that day). One of those timberdoodles fell to my client's gun, putting Monty "on the board" for this season.
Unquestionably, the star has been Rosie, and she has accounted for nine birds taken by my clients so far this season. Four fell to her points this morning alone - a grouse and three woodcock - and she has hunted beautifully for the guns and handled smoothly for me.
Unfortunately, she also has an injury to her paw (on the top of it) that just won't heal, so she's going to get a little time off while it heals up for the remainder of the season. Anyone that has watched Rosie work can understand how she got the injury, and how it just doesn't seem to heal - she hunts with great gusto, and is all business, throwing caution to the wind when she gets the call.
We have a busy month ahead and I will provide updates whenever possible - stay tuned!
