Winter
On the hibernal solstice, my pack and I decided to go out for some late season "winter" grouse hunting today. Actually, we have been out in the woods each of the last three days, after the drenching rain and warm weather that blew through on Monday. That day alone melted a substantial amount of the snowpack we had built up to that point in the season, allowing us to pursue grouse once again.
Just a week ago, we were snowshoeing through over a foot of snow in the hills around my house for our exercise, but the recent meltdown made it possible to get back out in the woods to hunt again. The image above is of Bella, who had a good time in her 1.5 hour run this morning. We contacted four grouse (two seen, one of which was pointed, while the other two were merely heard as they escaped from heavy spruce cover), and while none made it in to the back of my vest, Bella worked hard and under control for me. As you might expect, most of the birds were contacted in close proximity to spruce cover and blowdowns.
Just a week ago, we were snowshoeing through over a foot of snow in the hills around my house for our exercise, but the recent meltdown made it possible to get back out in the woods to hunt again. The image above is of Bella, who had a good time in her 1.5 hour run this morning. We contacted four grouse (two seen, one of which was pointed, while the other two were merely heard as they escaped from heavy spruce cover), and while none made it in to the back of my vest, Bella worked hard and under control for me. As you might expect, most of the birds were contacted in close proximity to spruce cover and blowdowns.
It was sunny today but still pretty cold when we started (17 degrees), with a biting breeze at times. Rocky put in his time after Bella this afternoon and had a couple of short points during his run. We would contact seven more grouse this afternoon, and while Rocky had his share of bumped birds today, he is definitely starting to point a few more birds than he was even a month ago.
His problem seems to be harnessing his excitement when the birds start flying, especially if we get in to a group of birds. This is nothing new for young pups however, so I think we're on the right track in his development. He hunts hard and responds well to my commands, and he has turned in to a good hunting partner so far.
When you come across grouse tracks, there just might be a grouse nearby ...
It's rare to have conditions like this in late December to grouse hunt in. Rocky, and I, were justifiably ecstatic to be out there.
Yesterday was a nicer day (sunny, with temps around freezing) and Rosie gave it her all but only contacted one escaping grouse in her two hour run. She ran particularly hard, having been "off" for the last month, ever since we concluded our guiding dates, and her energy and drive was something to witness, never mind try to keep up with!
Tuesday was even better weather, as it was just above freezing, and Rocky had a good find (and brief point) on a group of three grouse on the other side of a blowdown. Unfortunately, they did not offer a safe shot for me when they flushed, so hopefully those birds can be seeds for next year's crop.
Tuesday was even better weather, as it was just above freezing, and Rocky had a good find (and brief point) on a group of three grouse on the other side of a blowdown. Unfortunately, they did not offer a safe shot for me when they flushed, so hopefully those birds can be seeds for next year's crop.
We'll go out as often as we can until the end of the season, and while many of the areas that we hunt in October and November are simply not accessible at this time, there's still plenty of cover to be explored. It looks like the weather, while not good for those that love the winter sports, will be just fine for us getting out in the woods to chase birds. Hopefully we can get some more good work from the dogs and scratch down a bird or two to close our grouse season ...
