Q: When is the "best" time to come to northern NH or Vermont to hunt grouse and woodcock?

A: There is no "best" time to hunt up here, as the season has its benefits and challenges, no matter what time you hunt. The early season has more young, inexperienced birds, but there is more foliage, making tougher shooting conditions. The late season has a few less birds, and they are generally more experienced at evading hunters and dogs. The foliage is coming down though, making for better shooting opportunities.

Q: What shotgun should I bring to shoot grouse and woodcock?

A: The easy answer is whatever shotgun you shoot best, but the lighter the gun, the longer you'll last through the rigors of grouse hunting. A heavy gun can become a hindrance in the afternoon of a hunt, especially the longer you walk. I recommend a 20 gauge, or even a 28 gauge for shooting grouse and woodcock. Flushes are fast, and usually two shots are all that can be taken, so double barrel shotguns are even better. A 12 or 16 gauge shotgun, mounted on a lighter frame could be used as well.

Q: What is the recommended shot size for grouse and woodcock?

A: Grouse and woodcock are delicate birds, and therefore should be shot with lighter loads. Early in the season, 7.5 shot should be used, as shots are usually close. Even 8 shot can be used for woodcock. Later in the season, as the shots get a little longer, 6 shot could be used for grouse. It is assumed that the birds are being hunted for the table, so lighter loads will preserve your quarry better as a dinner guest.

Q: What clothing should I bring on a grouse hunt?

A: Though NH and Vermont do not have a blaze orange requirement, clothing that incorporates blaze orange is recommended for safety purposes - a hat, jacket or vest especially. Pants, shirts, and jackets should be briar proof, as we go through heavy cover with thorns at times. Waterproof pants and boots are also a must. There can be a lot of dew on the vegetation in the morning, and being dry can help with your enjoyment of the day. Wear comfortable, broken in boots as well - nothing is worse than having blisters for the next day's hunt. Hunts in late October and early November can involve cold conditions and snow, so warm weather gear should be brought as well.

Q: Do your dogs wear bells or beepers during hunts?

A: For safety purposes, my dogs wear both. While they are searching for birds, we listen to the bell to track the movements of the bird dog, but when the dog goes on point, the beeper will sound off once a second to let us know that the dog is on point as well as its whereabouts. Later in the season, they wear orange safety vests as well to help us locate the dog in heavy cover.

Q: What are your recommended choke sizes for hunting grouse and woodcock?

A: Since most of the shots early in the season are close, before the bird gets behind a screen of foliage, I recommend SKEET choke. Later in the season, as the foliage drops and longer distance shots are taken, IMPROVED CYLINDER could be used. The best set up in my opinion, is a first firing barrel with a SKEET choke and a second firing barrel with IC.

Q: How many birds are we likely to contact in a typical day of grouse and woodcock hunting?

A: In an average year, we are likely to contact 15 - 20 birds in a day's hunt. Contacting means flushes, both seen and unseen, and usually 30% of our contacts will result in a realistic chance to take a shot. Some years, our averages are much higher, and some years the average will be lower. During the woodcock migration in the last few weeks of October, we can have higher flush rates, especially if we are fortunate to hit a flight of migrating timberdoodles.

Our best day, back in 2014, yielded 60 birds moved in a day in late October, and days of 30 - 35 flushes aren't that uncommon. We've had our single digit days too, so it isn't always easy out there.

Q: Can I take my dog on a grouse and woodcock hunt with you?

A: Absolutely. Whether it's a seasoned grouse dog or a newbie to the grouse woods, I approach the coverts exactly the same way as if we were hunting my dogs. Same route and pattern. While grouse can be a very challenging bird for young dogs, woodcock can be great in building a younger dog's confidence.

Q: What if I can't get a guiding date with you? Is it realistic to do a self-guided hunt in northern NH or Vermont?

A: Yes, it is possible, with proper planning. Utilizing a resource like Google Earth to locate and historically date logging cuts that might be of the right age is the least expensive option. Once you're out there in the woods, having the ON X HUNT app on your phone (don't worry, you can use it in offline mode if you don't have service) can keep you on the right track.

Another excellent resource is downloading maps of Vermont or New Hampshire from SCOUT-N-HUNT mobile maps to your GPS. More expensive, but these maps will take the guesswork out of the coverts that you're planning on hunting.

In the end, my advice is to pick one or two logging roads and just hunt those roads. You could easily fall in to the trap of driving around a lot of roads, looking at a lot of cover, easily blowing a day where you could be hunting. Whatever you do, don't do that ...

Q: What time does the hunt start and when does it end?

A: You have to get up pretty early to be in the woods before daybreak, so hunts start at 4 A.M. and conclude at 12 P.M., as required by the wildlife agencies of Vermont and New Hampshire. Our day isn't quite done yet though - an optional scouting session (roosting) from 7 P.M. until dark can be undertaken to locate our quarry for the following morning.

Q: What shotgun should I bring to shoot wild turkey?

A: While a 16 or 20 gauge shotgun with a FULL choke could be used for shooting wild turkey, the recommendation is to bring a 12 gauge. Most 12 gauge turkey guns also have the option of a screw-in "turkey choke", creating an exceptionally tight pattern that holds its form for longer distances. The ideal distance to shoot a bird from is up to 40 yards, and a 12 gauge with a turkey choke will do the job as long as the aim is true.

Q: What is the recommended shot size for wild turkey?

A: Wild turkey are tough birds, so a well placed shot to the head and neck area (the "wattles") of #4 or #5 shot will do the trick. All of the large ammunition companies produce loads that are specifically designed for wild turkey, which should be purchased prior to arrival.

Q: What clothing should I bring on a turkey hunt?

A: Camo, camo, and more camo. Pants, shirts, jackets (cold weather and rain), hat, facemask, gloves. Early May can be cold in the north country, so some warm weather gear (undergarments, winter hat) should be brought. Comfortable, water repellant boots should be brought as well. Later on in May, the weather can warm up and lighter apparel can be used. Don't forget the bug spray - the black flies will be present later in May too.

Q: How many turkey tags am I allowed?

A: In northern New Hampshire, hunters are allowed to take one bearded turkey (longbeard, jake or bearded hen) in the spring, while Vermont allows two bearded turkeys to be taken in the spring. This allows us to pursue birds in multiple states if the tag is filled in one state.

Q: What is the registration process for a wild turkey?

A: Wild turkey are considered a big game species by the states of Vermont and New Hampshire, so they must be registered upon killing. In both New Hampshire and Vermont, birds can be taken to a check-in station to be registered, or they can be registered easily online.