Northwood grouse trips

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This is one of Molly's pups, the picture was taken this morning, Terry killed two woodcocks over her and she pointed a grouse.

 

There seemed to be a lot of birds in the UP, I was pleased with our flush rate. Our flush to kill rate was down considerably, the leaves were still on and very green. You could almost see them turning while we were there. In 19 years of going north I have never seen it that green this time of year. We found very few Woodcock also. It was really dry hardly no water in the bogs where we were at.

 

Had the same results in MI. Grouse numbers were slightly better than last year and ducks were good.Actually got some teal this year. Had a buddy make it for his first trip and he did well killing his first grouse, several woodcock and some ducks. I told him it was a fair year at best.

 

My son has been up for the first week and we've had a better than average run. Lots of wind and running birds for the most part. Still waiting on the woodcock to arrive here. I've maybe seen a dozen or so.

We had low wind and a high of 50 today and flew 18 with 12 pointed on 5 points. My 20 month old female stuck a group of 8. She also provided the highlight of the week with her first grouse point on 2 birds and we got a father/son double.

A big shout out Thank You to Birdman. For some reason, I was having a hard time getting this young female to handle well. She has a crazy motor, but just didn't care anything about obedience. While discussing this with Birdman, he thought he knew how to handle her, so I took her to him last month ... after only 4 days, he said she was ready and he was right. She has handled like a dream, getting better each day and was a hunting and pointing machine today.

Thanks again, Ronnie.

 

I'm here for 2 more weeks and there are no significant forecasted north or northwestern winds for the next week. I'd like to have some WC for experience for my young dog, but the grouse are holding much better, so I'm liking that.

There were a lot of hunters out today. I think I'll take tomorrow off ... Let me and the dogs rest ... And hit it again Monday.

 

Nothing like watching the light bulb turn on for a young prospect to put a spring in an old grouse hunters step. Hunted by myself this morning and Kat, my 20 month old female, pointed 6 ... a group of 3, another 2 and a single and I managed to bring 2 home with me. It's been a while since I've been this pumped about a young dog ... probably 9 years since Junior, her grandfather, was a youngster.

Anyway, it's 65 degrees now and the sweat and gnats make an afternoon hunt unlikely today. There's supposed to be a northwesterly cold front coming through this evening, so I'm looking forward to some cooler weather and hopefully a flight of woodcock for tomorrow.

 

Got a report from some that are up there right now. They are saying it's very dry. Not doing to good I reckon. Are the birds in the swamps or are they in the popple?

 

Jon,

It's the hottest and driest I've seen this late in October... supposed to get get cooler temps by the weekend and some showers, but no major rain. I've found birds most everywhere, but the bigger numbers are around water. You may have to get out in the tags some, but they're mostly just moist. You won't be going in over your boots.

 

I hate huntin the tags and swamps. Its hard to see the birds, never mind getting a shot. Id much rather find them in the popple. They are giving some rain I believe for Friday or saturday. I hope that moves them out of the swamps. We are heading out Saturday mornin.

 

It's a weird weather year. The leaves are gone, although weeds and some ferns are still standing. Mostly birds are holding and giving pretty good looks.