Hot Stuff
We're a few days in to the grouse and woodcock seasons in New Hampshire and Vermont, and in one word, it's been "HOT". Not in the good way, either. The temperatures have been far too hot these first four days that we've been out (Saturday in Vermont, and the last three days in NH), getting up to the mid-seventy degrees Fahrenheit by early afternoon. With very little wind to work with as well, it has been difficult conditions for the dogs to work in, but they're doing their best to create shooting opportunities for my hunters.
We have been concentrating more on shady areas dominated by spruces, where birds might be trying to stay cool, especially in the afternoons, as well as edge cover of roads and trails, where it is usually thickest. We have not been paying much attention to the center of logging cuts, that seem to be baking in the sun when it gets hot. Grouse are creatures of the edges, after all, so it is at these transition points that we have been finding some birds.
While the conditions have been very difficult for hunters and dogs alike, we still have been finding birds here and there, and of course, the farther we walk, the more birds we have been finding. Curiously, each day has yielded the same number of grouse and woodcock - 8 grouse and 8 woodcock on Saturday in Vermont, with the same number for the Sunday opener in New Hampshire. Monday was a tougher day for us, as we contacted 5 grouse and 5 woodcock, but today's hunt made up for it, as we moved 13 grouse and 13 woodcock throughout the day.
It has been physically exhausting for myself and my clients, but we've had a good time watching the dogs work the last few days in less than desirable conditions. So far, only woodcock have made it in to the back of our vests. The grouse have been more "heard" than "seen" to this point, as they are already employing tremendous escapability in getting away from us. The woodcock have been a bit easier, holding better for the points of the dogs, and giving the hunters a little more time to find their target. Unfortunately, there is a screen of thick foliage for the shooters to contend with, so that's making things difficult.
While the conditions have been very difficult for hunters and dogs alike, we still have been finding birds here and there, and of course, the farther we walk, the more birds we have been finding. Curiously, each day has yielded the same number of grouse and woodcock - 8 grouse and 8 woodcock on Saturday in Vermont, with the same number for the Sunday opener in New Hampshire. Monday was a tougher day for us, as we contacted 5 grouse and 5 woodcock, but today's hunt made up for it, as we moved 13 grouse and 13 woodcock throughout the day.
It has been physically exhausting for myself and my clients, but we've had a good time watching the dogs work the last few days in less than desirable conditions. So far, only woodcock have made it in to the back of our vests. The grouse have been more "heard" than "seen" to this point, as they are already employing tremendous escapability in getting away from us. The woodcock have been a bit easier, holding better for the points of the dogs, and giving the hunters a little more time to find their target. Unfortunately, there is a screen of thick foliage for the shooters to contend with, so that's making things difficult.
Millie's woodcock was our first bird taken this year.
As for the dogs, they have all run hard and contributed to our hunts to this point in the season. Rosie is the star of the show, as she has pointed the majority of her grouse and woodcock. She has hunted well and in control and shows no give up when things get slow. Bode has also hunted hard in a couple of sessions, and has had some good points too. At ten years old, the heat seems to affect him more than the others.
Millie has shown a lot of promise, and was responsible for my client's opening day woodcock on Saturday - a staunch point on a pair of timberdoodles, with one of them making the mistake of flushing straight down a small logging trail. After the shot, Millie first pointed it dead and then brought it back to us before spitting it out a few feet away - guess she's not a big fan of woodcock ...
Rocky even got a good two hour run in on Sunday and moved four grouse in his time out there. He loves the woods and attacks the cover with gusto, and hopefully the points start coming more consistently soon. Bella will finally get a chance to run for me tomorrow morning, so hopefully we can get her in to some birds.
Cooler temps are coming next week, and perhaps some of these leaves will drop for us. More updates to come ...
Millie has shown a lot of promise, and was responsible for my client's opening day woodcock on Saturday - a staunch point on a pair of timberdoodles, with one of them making the mistake of flushing straight down a small logging trail. After the shot, Millie first pointed it dead and then brought it back to us before spitting it out a few feet away - guess she's not a big fan of woodcock ...
Rocky even got a good two hour run in on Sunday and moved four grouse in his time out there. He loves the woods and attacks the cover with gusto, and hopefully the points start coming more consistently soon. Bella will finally get a chance to run for me tomorrow morning, so hopefully we can get her in to some birds.
Cooler temps are coming next week, and perhaps some of these leaves will drop for us. More updates to come ...
