Quiet Grouse Opener

[ACP230]

Went out yesterday for the Michigan grouse opener.
Saw a crow and a sparrow (I think). No grouse. Had
a couple times when I thought one was moving on the ground
but was wrong. The woods were looking fine with some early
color in the trees. Lots of grass and bushes still up and green.

It was warm where we parked and warmer in the woods where
the breeze couldn't get to me as much. One the way home the
heavy clouds finally produced rain.

While I was hunting, my wife picked four bags of wild apples.
The area used to have farms and feed a rock crusher operation.
None are left. A few flowers, the apple trees, and a couple of
cellars are all that remain.

We are down to one car so I can't get out today. Plan to try
again tomorrow. The fall has really started.

 

[double-dipper]

ACP230, Its still nice to be out there feeding that inner primal instinct of hunting and gathering. It's in our DNA! This past Saturday was opening Teal here. Not many birds, but a I had a very enjoyable hunt. I spent 5 years in Washington State and always enjoyed grouse hunting.

 

[Rudi]

I miss hunting, esp. grouse. I think they taste better than pheasants.

 

[garddogg56]

You got that right Rudi

 

[Jebus35745]

Can't believe a year has passed, good luck this year. A nice walk in the woods in the fall is great watching for the almighty flush. How'd you do last year. Another 6 weeks the club will be releasing pheasants. Larry

 

[carpriver]

I had a good day Monday afternoon, I killed a baby rabbit with my weed wicker. Felt bad about it

 

[ACP230]

Last year the grouse were scarce.
I missed both of the shots I had.

Biggest day was when four got up--all singles and all behind brush.
Another day I jumped a great blue heron off a creek.
May have done the brook trout a favor by running him
off.

 

[ACP230]

There have been rain and other things in the way of hunting, (even some work), and I didn't get out again till today. It was windy but pleasant. Not as humid as on the first day.

Went to the same place as on opening day but covered a bit more ground. Saw no grouse. On raven flew by making a bell-like noise and then cawing. I don't think it saw me as I was leaning against a
maple tree while watching it. The tree still had a lot of green leaves
on it. So did a lot of others. There was color but it was scattered.

Took my over and under 20 gauge instead of the pump 12 I carried
on the first day. Felt good to carry a six and a half pound gun
instead of one a pound heavier.

Saw several chipmunks. Some crossed the trail in front of me,
others were making a fuss from the trees.

I may have to go farther afield to see if any grouse stuck around at
all.

 

[Rustyt1953]

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lGZiTQS-lEc[/ame]

 

[ACP230]

Went out for grouse again yesterday. Couldn't go today as it has
been raining since morning.

Waited till the sun came out after lunch. Was leaving the truck at 2:10 pm. Walked a trail where the brush had come back after a logging job
about two years ago. I expected the birds would have come back
with the brush, but they did not appear.

It was cooler than the other times. I had on jeans, boots, a thick orange sweatshirt and my hunting vest, plus a Stormy Kromer hat. Had to unzip the sweatshirt after I turned around to walk back to the truck.

Saw several crows in the trees and jumped two or
three out of the brush next to the trail. Had no reason to shoot it.
No grouse. Was home four minutes before my wife had to go on
call at four o'clock.

There was a lot of color in the woods. A weather guy said the
warm weather in late summer, or early fall, delayed the turning of the
leaves. I need a smaller camera so I can get some pics from farther
out in the woods.

I did get three good ones near where I parked and sent one to an old hunting buddy who now lives in New Zealand.
He's starting spring there which sometimes confuses both of us.

Also sent three pics to my son in Pennsylvania. He got one of his early
grouse on this trail, and jumped out a snowshoe hare that I took once.
We had a fine Thanksgiving dinner that year. This year we might be
having Spam, eh?

 

[Rosco Shooter]

Greetings from Higgins Lake. Got out today before the rains came. Colors are starting to emerge. The hunting was good, the shooting was not.

 

[Chukar60]

Idaho is not a big grouse state. Forest grouse is about it around here. I don't bother with them anymore.
This past Sunday I spent the day hunting/guiding with the owner of the ranch. Valley quail and pheasant were the fare for the day.
Weather was a little warm but very pleasant. Had all 3 of my Britts out. Two seasoned dogs and a 15 month old girl.
We got some birds. Mostly quail and 3 roosters.
I took my Citori 28 gauge and my new to me Citori Feather field 16. I decided to stick with the 16 for the day as I have not hunted with it yet.
I managed a half dozen quail and 1 rooster with only a few missed shots.
The pup performed very well making several points and finding several downed birds.
Our trees have just barely started to turn and the corn is still standing. Does not feel quite like bird season until the leaves have turned or dropped and the corn fields have been harvested.
Hope everybody enjoys their time afield no matter what the birds do, harvest a rewarding day afield.

 

[Jebus35745]

Chuckar I envy you, not many real birds around Cleveland Ohio without driving for 1-2 hours.

Any updates on the Michigan grouse season?? Larry

 

[billwill]

Maybe no birds but sounds like you had a good day with you wife in the woods! Any day outside with the one you love is a really good day.

 

[walkinghorse]

My son, his girlfriend, and several of his college buddies from years ago, did pretty good on grouse in northern MN. several weekends ago. Son got his first woodcock also. Been trying for years, missed shots or they left for the south before they were up north
Think they got around 8, camped out, and had a good time.
Only one trip this year, as he is finding that life now doesn't allow as much free time as he would like.