Grouse hunters Journal

[Chef]

10/23 and 24--Location--Between Federal Dam and Bena. I started at about 7:30 am, cloudy, light breeze, in an area I've walked for years and always had great opportunities. This was my second time there this year too and the first was two weeks prior in the snow--2 flushes that morning was it.

No Dog this year--our GSP was hit in June in front of the house and died.

This time I had more flushes, 6 in 2 hrs. slow walking the trails and entering the woods where I could swing a gun. I downed 1 all day.

Saturday am, started at 9:30 sun was finally out for two hours and I flushed 8 in about 1.5 hrs. bagged 2.

[R. Miller]

Hunted Saturday around Blackduck. We put up 14 grouse and 2 woodcock on Saturday. Funny thing was I really only saw 5 of the 14 birds, they were really jumpy, and although the leaves are really coming down, they were flushing wild and in the thick stuff. Really wouldn't hold even a little for the setter. Ended up harvesting one nice grouse that day, shot at two. Had two really nice woodcock points and harvested one.

Sunday was more of well, rain. I only hunted 2 hrs(didn't want to chance getting sick again) and flushed to young birds on the edge of a spruce woods. Harvested 1 of 2 and really choked on the 2nd. Both of the grouse were full of clover.

Drove home in the rain on Sunday and I'm really kicking myself now after reading Uplanders woodcock reports! I drove right by you, man! I should've given a ring.

[2thepointsetters]

I got out this afternoon and had 8 awesome points from my oldest setter Buddy. We put up all 8 grouse in less than 50 minutes, it was the best action I have seen in years. I was not able to connect with any because of the way they were flushing. It still was probably best time I have ever had hunting. Just me, the dog and plenty of birds.

I used a bell instead of the beeper collar and it seems that the grouse hold better. I used think the beeper didn't scare birds, but I am starting to think it does.

[R. Miller]

2thepoint,

thats interesting i've often thought about getting a beeper collar(especially this year when I couldnt find my setter in the thick stuff on woodcock points), b/c some have said beepers freezes the birds. Glad to hear your opinion too...don't know what too do...definitely love the traditional bell though.

[2thepointsetters]

I started with the bell a few years ago and then got caught up with the whole the e-collar beeper system. The bell worked great tonight with just one dog. BUT... When I run more than one dog or hunt with other people the beeper is needed because I often lose track of the dogs when I just see white flashes going across the trail and before you know it the beeper goes off somewhere you had no idea the dog was. The locate feature is also great when you dont know where the dog is locked up at. I had to use it once tonight to find the dog on point, I knew he was on point but wasn't sure how far out he was.

I would never run my dogs without the collar on, but up until now I always used the beep on point feature. Once you have the locater you wonder how you made this long without it.

I dont think the beeper helps hold the birds at all. I dont think it bothers most though, I even use it on late season educated pheasants without issue.

It takes some conditioning with the dog so they are used the loud beeping when they are whoa'd or on point.

[R. Miller]

Yeah, good info. I can see how the locate feature would be nice. Over the last several years, in the grouse woods at least, its usually only me and the dog or me and a hunting partner and the dog, so I don't have much problem. I acutally bought the sportdog 1850 0r whichever one has both the e collar and beeper, and I returned it(thought it was maybe too bulky) and got the 1800 instead. Like I said, my setter is 2 yrs old now and after losing him on a few woodcock points with year I'm definitely thinking abotu upgrading...okay, I know this is a thread about grouse outings, sorry.

[rmkod]

Hunted Aitkin county today. Put up 7 grouse and 4 or so woodcock. Only managed to connect on 1 woodcock.

[CRAZYEYES]

Hunted tuesday just west of walker. We only saw 4 birds all day around that area but I nailed 2 of them and the weather was decent for a change so not too bad. Today we hunted just east of grand rapids near warba. The bird numbers were pretty good in that area. I bet we saw 25 plus and ended up with 6. We also almost got a deer on the way home. It was either an 8 or nine pointer and I could have reached my hand out the window and grabbed it going 60 mph! The deer definately are on the move so watch out, we saw a lot of road killed on the roads the last couple days.

[panthrcat]

we went north of Kenora, ONtario twice (last sat and the sat before) and limited out on birds (ruffed grouse)

rumour had it that the bird count was really low this year due to a not good spring, but that's not what we are seeing,. we aren't having any trouble seeing 25-30 birds on an outing!!

Sue

[Matt Breuer]

You seeing many spruce hens up there, Sue?

[grousewoods]

Aitkin co. on the 28th put up 23 grouse and one woodcock the grouse are getting smarter!lots of wild flushes. Came home with 2 birds and happy had some good dog work and a great day to be in the woods.

[panthrcat]

You seeing many spruce hens up there, Sue?

not as many as years past,, we didn't see any the first day out, but the second we nailed 2

[Matt Breuer]

Since this thread has been so quiet, I thought I'd add a report...

I road hunted on Friday for a bit on my way home from work. Saw 6 birds, harvested 2. It was raining pretty heavy, so the birds were running like crazy.

Sat. and Sun. I was up in NW MN and I took a couple of walks with the GSP's looking for sharptail and huns. We managed to get up close and personal w/ roughly 30 of the 75 or so sharptail we saw. I managed to down 2, and flat out missed a third. Lots of deer hunters pushing CRP, so I only took the couple of short walks.

Anyone out there chasing birds yet?

[Neighbor_guy]

Since this thread has been so quiet, I thought I'd add a report...

1. I road hunted on Friday for a bit on my way home from work. Saw 6 birds, harvested 2.... 2. ....Anyone out there chasing birds yet?...

Two things.....

1. Lucky (just kidding, a little jellosy comming out)

2. Soon...... Very soon.........

[lindy rig]

I have a trip planned when rifle season ends.

[brittman]

Hunted two spots today where the deer gun season closed Sunday. Moved 6 grouse in 2.5 hours. Two came home, both were in the dogwoods. Can't believe there were still berries on some plants.

Deer ticks were out and about today too.

[lovebigbluegills]

I've been out a little since deer season ended, a half-hour here, an hour there. I shot a spruce hen up around the Roseau, and a few ruffed grouse closer to home.

The crop contents in the ruffed grouse has mainly been clover, with a few cranberries thrown in

[Matt Breuer]

I'd probably trade the number of ruffies I've shot this year for one nice spruce hen lovebigbluegills. I'll be up near Wannaska on Friday trying my luck at 'em one more time. Probably work over to Faunce and hit the area hard for the day... Thursday after a full meal I'll be walking for some sharpies and huns!

Keep the reports coming, good luck to all!

[CANOPY SAM]

Matt. You gonna be over TRF way this weekend again? My boy and I could "help" you out with a few of those clucking basketballs perhaps Saturday or Sunday?

I'd love to take you up to a little Spruce Grouse Haven I know of, but it's quite a ways east of Baudette.

[CNCMike]

Hunted a few spots where deer rifle season closed Sunday. Birds were few and far between yesterday and the few I did see were holding tight. The snowshoe hare were everywhere though. Flushed one solo bird and the others were in a group of 3 and a pair. The group of 3 took being, almost literally, on top of them before they flushed. Far cry from a week before rifle season when everything was flushing 25-45 yards out and the birds were all over. I only heard one drumming yesterday as well, which surprised me a bit in that particular area. Better luck next weekend I hope

[brittman]

What a beautiful day yesterday. Hard to believe it was November 29th and not October 29th. Light breeze, 44 degrees, and mostly sunny.

Son and I then hunted some grouse woods where we deer hunt. First we pulled one ladder stand and a grouse flushed. Good sign.

Dog worked great and several grouse were holding under point. We moved less birds than expected (probably because we mostly stuck to the trails), but 8 birds were seen and two shot in 3 hours.

All birds were singles. Sometimes this late in the season you hit that area where groups of 6 ruffs or more are using. One time I ran into 14 in one little area. No such luck yesterday bbut thats OK just glad we had the chance to be up there on this late "October" day.

[Matt Breuer]

CANOPY SAM, sorry I didn't get this until tonight when I returned home. You have my number, and should have called!

Friday I hunted most of the day from Thief River Falls and North.. We finally managed the NW MN trifecta, bagging ruffs, sharps, and huns all in the same day. One of the best days of my hunting career, all spent w/ my dad and brother. What a beautiful weekend to be out chasing birds too. We must've seen close to 120 sharpies on Friday alone, 20 or so huns, and enough ruffies to add some white meat to the pictures...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[tybo]

Hunted the Chippewa National Forest Friday, Saturday & Sun morning. Moved around 30 grouse or so in total for the 2 1/2 days. Only bagged three ruffs. The birds did not want to hold for points. We missed a few we shouldn't have but overall we did see a good number of birds. We also bagged four snowshoe hares which was cool. I've never shot one in it's winter white. Would have loved to have bagged more grouse but it was awesome camping in the woods for the long weekend.

[lindy rig]

Also hunted the Chippewa National Forest Friday, Saturday, & Sun morning. Moved maybe 20 birds total, bagged 2. The birds seemed a little skiddish and in general we saw less than a few weeks ago.

[uplander]

That sounds like a good time Matt....I will tell you I'm jelous. Once in Ontario I bagged ruffs sharps and spruce in the same day, That was my best day ever! Glad to see your still out there chasin em! Good luck the rest of the way!