NH Grouse Hunting Update: 10/9/2016
"It's grouse hunting, not grouse shooting." That's one of the phrases I utter to my clients when the birds are either not cooperating or are succeeding in evading us and the dogs.
GROUSE HUNTING TRIPS SINCE 2008
Frost Fire's Grouse Hunting
"Partridge Blog"
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly ...
an account of grouse and woodcock hunting
in northern NH and the NEK of Vermont ...
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Bird Dogs as a Conservation Tool
Most hunters reading this blog might already use bird dogs to help them in their pursuit of upland birds. Not only is using a dog esthetically pleasing (i.e. the classic bird dog scene, where a faithful canine companion is coursing back and forth, in search of game in front of you), but taking upland game birds with a dog that you have trained over several years is immensely rewarding.
NH Grouse Hunting Update: 10/2/2016
The grouse and woodcock hunting seasons are underway here in northern New Hampshire and Vermont, and we've had a great start to our season. In two and a half days of hunting, we have moved/disturbed the daily habits of about 35 grouse and 35 woodcock - pretty solid numbers.
Vermont Opener
Great day in Vermont's grouse woods today as my first client of the season Randy and I enjoyed some excellent bird work from our German Shorthaired Pointers. Randy's five year old GSP Polly got the call for the morning hunt and she had a great time pointing grouse and woodcock … all morning long.
Anticipation
If you're like me, you probably have already been through all of your gear, made sure to repair various tears in your clothing, and have put several coats of Sno Seal on your boots. You've made sure that your GPS unit has new batteries and charged the $1000 worth of dog collars that you'll come to depend on this season.
Nearing Opening Day
That's a mighty tight sitting woodcock last week during one of our scouting sessions in New Hampshire. Monty had him pinned for a good while before I could wade over to him, and Mr. Timberdoodle allowed me to stop, locate him on the ground, and then get my camera out and zoom in for a couple of pictures. He skedaddled out of the area once I took another step.
More Scouting Tales
Yesterday in New Hampshire, Bode started out hot, pointing a pair of grouse, then a solo woodcock and finally a lone grouse in heavy cover - he was at his best in the cool early morning conditions. But then it warmed up a bit, and he began bumping a few birds as the temps climbed … we would end up contacting 6 grouse and 4 woodcock in nearly three hours, which was pretty good considering the conditions.
What's Going On?
Yes, that is the question that people (Chris!) have been asking me lately about the bird populations of the north country. What can we expect to find in the woods on our voyages afield this autumn? In short, I'm still not sure.
Grouse Hunting Season Stats
|
2024: 190.5 Hours |
2023: 222.5 Hours |
2022: 123.0 Hours |
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2021: 193.5 Hours |
2020: 199.5 Hours |
2019: 184.5 Hours |
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2018: 144.0 Hours |
2017: 180.5 Hours |
2016: 178 Hours |
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2015: 202.0 Hours |
2014: 138.0 hours |
2013: 152 Hours |
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2012: 114 Hours |
2011: 161 Hours |
2010: 139.5 Hours |
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2009: 93.5 Hours |
2008: 82.5 Hours |
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