Ruff Tales of Appalachia

[JonDunn]

Hunted 2 different hollers today for about 4 hours or so. Got up a lone bird that was pointed by a partners 4 year old. We never flushed the bird on the point though, it was flushed on the way back out. My guess is it dug its way down in a hole or something, staying tight til the danger passed. Regardless, it lived to see another day.

 

[JonDunn]

Flew 4 birds today. Had 2 dandy retrieves on the 2 we killed. All birds came up wild. We had 2 points today, but no birds came up from the points. 3 birds came from down in the holler with one coming up about a 1/3 of a way on the hill. Sure is looking good so far this year, but I hope Im not counting my chickens before they hatch. Im seeing alot of autumn olives, but thats just about all. Maybe the birds in this area are down low right now because of the lack of beechnut?

 

[JonDunn]

Im starting to believe Im the only one on here that is hunting this year...

Went out yesterday with 2 partners. We flew 3 birds. 1 was down low in tree tops that had just been pushed down this spring. Must have been eating sawdust. The other 2 was on the top bench in prime thickets.

Went out today with a fellow board member. His pup got a nose full of 2 birds. We chased 3-4 birds around all day for an exciting day. My dog still isnt backing though. The ol pro locked up tight and close and my dog just kind of wondered on in. I guess the monkey is in her future on that. Any suggestions on making a dog back??

 

[battle]

Im starting to believe Im the only one on here that is hunting this year...

Went out yesterday with 2 partners. We flew 3 birds. 1 was down low in tree tops that had just been pushed down this spring. Must have been eating sawdust. The other 2 was on the top bench in prime thickets.

Went out today with a fellow board member. His pup got a nose full of 2 birds. We chased 3-4 birds around all day for an exciting day. My dog still isnt backing though. The ol pro locked up tight and close and my dog just kind of wondered on in. I guess the monkey is in her future on that. Any suggestions on making a dog back??

I'm starting to believe you don't work!!!

 

[trust me]

I'm starting to believe you don't work!!!

We have a winner!!!

(Actually in Dunn's defense, he is very much gainfully employed.)

 

[hitch]

Snuck out yesterday for a 2 hour hike. Moved 5 birds, killed none, should have killed 2, but I am pretty sure there were no pellets in the shell. All were pointed, but 3 of the 5 flushed somewhat wild. I saw zero grapes, zero beech nuts, zero acorns, basically nothing but greens where I hunted. Anyone else seeing grapes etc?

 

[PENCO GSP]

Backing

John, My hunting partner and I just get the old launchers and pidgeons out along with a good dog. Just start in a open field and let the one dog point bring the your dog from out of site and bring the dog up till it can see the other dog and if it keeps moving closer let it get a wiff of the bird check cord the dog and pop it and let the dog watch it fly. repeat process and keep steping the dog back each time till it get's the hint should only take about 6 times.

 

[JonDunn]

I'm starting to believe you don't work!!!

Im very much employed I just get a break for a week or 2 every month due to the economy.

We thought about doing that Penco, but not much time for it now with season in. All of the pigeons have left the area now anyhow.

I wrapped my week long finale up today with an ol pro male and mine. Had good dog work all day long. My female reminded me today of how she was doing when we left the northwoods. Every little tree top, every drain, every thicket, she was in. Couldnt ask for a better dog today. We flew one bird down in the holler about 10 minutes out of the truck. Bird came out of a tree past me, but out of my range. The oldest of the 3 hunters threw a shot at it though. Bird started the wobbly flight then just dove straight down. Couldnt recover it. Never seen another the rest of the day.

I am seeing some grapes an autumn olives Hitch. Ive not seen the first beechnut this year. Lord knows Ive seen plenty of beech this season, just not with anything hanging on them, or on the ground.

 

[Jonesy's Gun Dogs]

My hunting partner and I just get the old launchers and pidgeons out along with a good dog. Just start in a open field and let the one dog point bring the your dog from out of site and bring the dog up till it can see the other dog and if it keeps moving closer let it get a wiff of the bird check cord the dog and pop it and let the dog watch it fly. repeat process and keep steping the dog back each time till it get's the hint should only take about 6 times.

Backing set ups are a little more than just that. Backing is an association to the situation. The way this is described, might be fine, and it might not.....there could be a whole lot of bombs blow, what I mean is....
If dog A. isnt steady to flush...some or somewhat....dog A. movement is gonna cause dog B to blow in also an help. So your timing has to be ready because it will cause two dogs to get smacked in the face with bird, or traps.......because you will panic with them failing, panic will cause your timing to be way late.
What will start happening possibly is when the dogs arent somewhat steady or in control.......backing dog will start trying to compete all the time, and or try and steal points, all kinds of bad things. Alot of things can pop up when its least expected, just something to fcus on and watch or be prepared for, when doing these set ups. Thanks Jonesy

 

[rock802]

I have seen 4 in the past 2 days while working, I was about 4' from 3 of them and they would not fly off. is this common?

 

[Birdman]

Were you sitting still, (deer hunting) if so, it's not uncommon.

 

[trust me]

The only grouse I've ever seen that wouldn't fly either had chicks nearby to protect or were wasted away by sickness.

The sick ones have no muscle mass, couldn't fly if they tried. I've heard it is caused by parasites but couldn't say for sure.

 

[rock802]

Were you sitting still, (deer hunting) if so, it's not uncommon.

no, I saw 2 of them together in a old road, i stoped the truck got out and walked to prob. 3' of them, 1 jumped up on a branch and the other one walked off. the other 2 were singles and they both walked off all so.
hey trustme, if you want to after deer season we will try and plan a hunt, were they were at was on goverment land and is open.

 

[uplandchessies]

I have seen 4 in the past 2 days while working, I was about 4' from 3 of them and they would not fly off. is this common?

Not typical, but frequently observed. Depends on location, amount of hunting pressure and a host of other factors. I've seen videos of them chasing riding mowers, defending their territory against a jeep and walking on the back of a photographer. Ruffs have been known to come "out of character" on many occasions.

 

[grouser68]

The only grouse I've ever seen that wouldn't fly either had chicks nearby to protect or were wasted away by sickness.

The sick ones have no muscle mass, couldn't fly if they tried. I've heard it is caused by parasites but couldn't say for sure.

True! I have killed 2 that have had a ball of worms in them. There breasts were skinny, and they were smaller birds. The worms wasted them away I suppose. The dog caught one, so I don't think they have alot of energy.