Grouse Hunters

[PCoGrousehunter]

JonDunn: In the northwoods, a guy has to be a little careful about correcting his dog to keep the dog from relocating. My experience up there is that the birds really run, so, if a hunter keeps reinforcing the the first point with a "whoa" the dog doesn't learn how to work a running bird. If you "whoa" him when he first points, he stays there, the bird runs off in cover, and then you think there's no bird. Also, if the dog learns to always keep pointing at the initial point, the bird runs off and the hunter thinks his dog is always false pointing. Think a guy just needs to let his dog learn to work the bird on his own . . . have to trust the dog. Might flush some but the false point isn't any good either. Down here, the birds might flush wild but usually don't run. Just my 2 cents, based on the mistakes I've made.

Keep us updated. Sounds like your having a great hunt. Great!!! Me and PCoGsp are leaving this Friday for a week in the northwoods. Can't wait.

 

[mnmthunting]

There's cold and snow in the Northwoods. leaves are now dropping like crazy.
This is making for some decent grouse hunting.

 

[PENCO GSP]

North woods

Ready, Ready, Ready, I could leave today if work would allow me. I get goose bumps just thinking and reading about it. Weather looks rough this week but looks good next week.

 

[trust me]

The word from the Northwoods is not too good...2 inches of snow on the ground, constant wind, many birds in the trees but enough on the ground and holding to give steady action.

Tough conditions to be sure but they say it beats hanging around the house.

 

[JonDunn]

I don't want to whoa my dog on point, not my type of hunting PC, but I think she has figured it out. She's still pointing birds for us up here, so I'm happy. I was just trying to help her put the puzzle together by bringing her back and saying whoa when she broke because I though she was flushing the birds. Anyhow, not as many birds were I'm at now as at the other place. Grouser I've not had any service over here at all, but Ill give you a call when I do.

 

[PENCO GSP]

North woods

O boy, Only day and half to be on the road. Then it is crisp cool air, thunder chickens and woddies. My short hair is ready my pointer he's good but not backing but O well so excited.

 

[Grouse_Hunter]

Were leaving on Saturday around 2-3p.m. and should make it up there sometime in the early morning hours on Sunday. I was talking with a guy up there that does some guide hunts and he said that the numbers of out of state hunters was down this year which surprised me but may be true do to the economy. But I'm sure he knows what he's talking about considering he lives up there.
God Bless

 

[brettfrancis1]

We're headed up Monday after work. Mapquest says 12 hours from Hurricane, WV. Leaving there about 6. So i guess we'll be there sometime the next day.

 

[WBall]

Were leaving on Saturday around 2-3p.m. and should make it up there sometime in the early morning hours on Sunday. I was talking with a guy up there that does some guide hunts and he said that the numbers of out of state hunters was down this year which surprised me but may be true do to the economy. But I'm sure he knows what he's talking about considering he lives up there.
God Bless

Not sure where your hunting but we saw just the opposite trucks every where we saw some good bird numbers considering the snow wind. The guys I took had never grouse hunted which didn't help either. My normal partner and I are headed back in the morning.

 

[JonDunn]

Well Im back from the northwoods, finally. I was beginning to think I was gonna get stranded up there. I didnt run into as many birds the 2nd week as the first, but I got to see 2 of the best dogs Ive ever followed in the grouse woods in action the 2nd week, plus a brother and sister that have progressed so much in their time up north. I can now sleep sound at night knowing I have a dog. I killed 7 birds over her point up there an every single one was brought right to hand. I went to Wisconsin to make a dog, an I feel I have accomplished that. Enough of the bragging part though. The country up there is beautiful. Would make a good retirement home, if you could put up with the harsh winters and the locals saying, "A". I will be back every fall for many years to come if the good Lord allows me to do so.

Ill tell this little story here. I can officially say I have shot a grouse into another state. We were hunting along the UP the first week. Im walking along side this alder thicket with the dog being inside it, and this grouse bust out infront of me out into an open field. I guess I got anxious because of the easy shot so I fire off 3 quick rounds, not to bring a feather to the ground or nothing. I watch the grouse fly out of Wisconsin, cross the river, creek or whatever it is, to see it finally land in Michigan. I dont think many can say they have done that one. Im going to try to upload some pics here for you guys. Its been awhile since Ive done this, so I hope it works.

 

[Birdman]

That's great about your dog. It's a lot of fun when the young comes around. Nice pictures.

 

[brettfrancis1]

11:17am, counting the minutes until 3:40

 

[uplandchessies]

Nice pics. Third pic reminds me of a place I hunt in Michigan.

 

[PCoGrousehunter]

Great pics, Johndunn. Penco GSP and I just got back last night. Had a great 7 day hunt. Rained Wednesday and rained and snowed Friday, but we kept hunting in it. Just down right love it up there. Wish I could go back one more time this year but love my wife and want to keep her. Started hinting on the way home but she said "don't even think about it. It's over for this year." There were hunters all over the place. Most I've ever seen in 13 years. On one trail near Clam Lake, three guys from Indiana actually walked in on us. Couldn't believe it. If Penco GSP knows how to post pics, maybe he'll post a few of our hunt. Got up an average of around 17-18 a day.

 

[JonDunn]

Thats good to hear PC. Glad ya had fun. I cant believe you had people walk in on you guys. I thought most people respected others if there truck was parked on the trail head, even the Christmas tree guys.