VT Grouse Hunting Update: 11/9
That's Shawn (L) and Bruce (R) this morning, with Bruce's grouse that he shot after a staunch point from Millie. For the first time in a long time, everything went exactly as we plan when we think of grouse hunting scenarios. Millie established point, the grouse held, and when it flushed, it went towards the wide open road, where Bruce was waiting. He made a nice shot, and just like that, he had his first ruffed grouse ever, in the bag.
Why couldn't it always be like that? After a truly beautiful weekend for grouse hunting just a few days ago, winter has reared its ugly head this week for our trips in northern Vermont. It's been cold, sometimes raining or snowing, and very blustery - difficult conditions for chasing grouse for us hunters.
Why couldn't it always be like that? After a truly beautiful weekend for grouse hunting just a few days ago, winter has reared its ugly head this week for our trips in northern Vermont. It's been cold, sometimes raining or snowing, and very blustery - difficult conditions for chasing grouse for us hunters.
Cover only a grouse hunter could love: thick, hard to get through, but sometimes it's all worth it.
The wind for sure can make grouse extra jumpy, and then if its blowing hard enough, it can be tough to hear the flushes at all. Rain and snow are a nuisance that will test one's resolve. If the hunting is slow, it can certainly make us question what we're doing out there, and just how long we plan to do it for. It's a triple whammy when it's cold, windy, and there's steady precipitation.
Thankfully, the dogs are not susceptible to the same questions and doubts that arise for us hunters. They just strap on the beeper and bell and get at it, like they always do, even in a year where we clearly have fewer ruffed grouse than normal. The dogs have all been working hard this week, and while it has not necessarily paid off in birds in the bag, we have witnessed some good work nonetheless.
Today turned out to be one of the better ones, as we moved a dozen grouse in our time out there, with Millie and Rosie with sticking points on at least half of them. Just because the birds are pointed, it doesn't mean that they are shot, however. They still often evade us or are simply missed by the hunters. That is fair-chase hunting after all, and sometimes the birds win, despite our best efforts.
Tomorrow is our final day in the Vermont uplands, and hopefully we have something good to report ...
Thankfully, the dogs are not susceptible to the same questions and doubts that arise for us hunters. They just strap on the beeper and bell and get at it, like they always do, even in a year where we clearly have fewer ruffed grouse than normal. The dogs have all been working hard this week, and while it has not necessarily paid off in birds in the bag, we have witnessed some good work nonetheless.
Today turned out to be one of the better ones, as we moved a dozen grouse in our time out there, with Millie and Rosie with sticking points on at least half of them. Just because the birds are pointed, it doesn't mean that they are shot, however. They still often evade us or are simply missed by the hunters. That is fair-chase hunting after all, and sometimes the birds win, despite our best efforts.
Tomorrow is our final day in the Vermont uplands, and hopefully we have something good to report ...
