Grouse Reports

[T-ProGuy]

Unfortunately, I have not kept a log book, but it is something that I am going to start doing. I seems like a really great way to track your success, or at times, lack of success. It also would be a great way to re-live hunts and other related experiences.

[Mudflap]

I went out near Itasca Tues and Weds. and got into some birds that have not seen much pressure. Tuesday was the perfect day and makes me wish deer hunting was not around the corner.(Sorry Deer Hunters)

I was glad to see the woodcock have past thru and my dog can concentrate back on my favorite meal.

The Upland Journal website used to have a Grouse and woodcock survey that was put together well. It allowed you to record the following:

Date

# of Hunters

# of hours hunted

# of birds moved

# of productive points(or flushes)

# of birds shot at ( Grouse and woodcock)

# of shells fired

# of birds taken

I have kept track the last three years and find it useful.

Hunting 15 days ( 37 hunting hours) we have had over 75 productive points on grouse and over 125 on woodcock. This is well below the numbers of the past 2 years.

Taking kids and a young setter out and watching them work woodcock is very entertaining and hard on the shell inventory. This year the swamp bats seemed plentiful during migration.

Wind permitting, I'd like to get out Friday.

" Be careful what you say about a man's wife or kids, but be [commercial-or-naughty-word] careful what you say adout his bird dog".

[fishlakeman]

went out grouse hunting by myself the day before deer hunting (Nov 1st). Was waiting for my deer hunting party to come up from the metro, and they were running late so I walked a forrest near Walker. Hunted for 30 min without a dog and got 3 grouse! They were sticking to the edge of the trails in the later afternoon. I was hunting young, thick poppel. Was my most sucessful hunt ever! 3 birds- 30 min. Wow!

[Matt Breuer]

Congrats fishlakeman! Midday is when I hit most of my birds near the trails. They like to sun in the afternoon I've found, and make for easy targets!

I got three during deer hunting going to and from the house to the stand. Two of which were headed to red phase, with this warm Fall we should see many red phased birds this winter!!

[Mudflap]

The forecast for the 17th. sounded to good to be true so I took the day off to find the birds that were seen while driving deer. There was absolutely no wind and we put up around 14 birds. Even with poor shooting I managed to bag 3.

Friday may be a good day also.