Opener?

[KidMoe]

Anyone else gonna brave the heat and bugs and foliage this weekend? A buddy and i will be out around the south end of the Kabetogama State forest.

[tybo]

I will be out. I actually am leaving Thursday afternoon. I got laid off a few weeks ago and will take advantage of the time off while I can. I will hang out and scout a little Friday. I will be hunting the Hill City/Remer areas.

[Matt Breuer]

tybo, we will have to try to hook up this year! It never seems to work out, but we'll try again! Haha!

I will be out. Leaving for the cabin on Friday afternoon, unless I can't stand it and have to sit for bear again. No matter what, I'll be in the woods pretty much non-stop this weekend!

[GSP4ME]

Will be up in the ely area, dogs and I are chomping at the bit, even got the cabin in Wisconsin reserved for mid October

[TylerS]

Good luck you sorry SOBs! Bring a machette and plenty of DEET

Seriously though, I hunted opener last weekend and I doubt I'll do that again. Too many little birds and WAY too many leaves.

Mid October trip planned for me. Good thing there are plenty of ducks to occupy my time until then, otherwise I doubt I could handle the anticipation ...

[DRH1175]

We were in the woods of Chisholm this last weekend. Very few bugs if any. The temps should be nice as well. We flushed a few but not as many as last year at this time. The birds all seemed to be hanging around the swamp edges. We flushed more Woodys than grouse though.

[TylerS]

We flushed more Woodys than grouse though.

Pack steel shot and do it "surf & turf."

[tacklejunkie]

I'm heading out.

Normally, I just go out when the leaves are down but I have a new pup and I'm excited to see what he does.

[Matt Breuer]

Between mushroom picking and bear hunting, I've noticed VERY few skeeters out there, and almost no ticks since about early July. Leaves are already falling like crazy with the high winds we've been having. Should be a good opener!

[CANOPY SAM]

No kidding...the leaves were raining down today with EXTREMELY high winds! Sad thing though, the leaves aren't changing in our area because of the changing season. I think they're changing cause of drought.

I'm guessing our colors won't be so vibrant this year as it's just so darn dry. Course' that bodes well for low skeeter counts too! Mosquitoes have been all but totally absent in NW MN this year. It's been awesome for night fishing!

You been seeing any birds up north Matt? Drumming counts were reported way down this year.

[Matt Breuer]

Around home here, I'm seeing piles of birds. A lot of them are probably the same birds over and over, but I know there are at least 10 different ones near the bear hunting areas!

I haven't been up to the cabin for a long time. Only once this summer I think...

[CANOPY SAM]

Well that's not so bad. 10 birds are a LOT better than no birds!

Those dogs are going to be priceless in the woods around your home place, now that there's so much downed timber. I'm guessing it's gonna be pretty tough going in a lot of the old haunts?

I think it's best if you just do ALL your bird hunting over here, and call me every time you come over this way!!!

We've got a new black lab, Bones. He's a big dopey 9-month old puppy, but he's got a fire in his belly to run in the woods, and I'm anxious to see how he'll do this fall? Cool thing about this dog...he's extremely loyal. Stays close to me at all times. I really hope he's got the hunting bug, and figures it out this year!

[Harmonica Bear]

I so want to get out... Unfortunately I am cooking in a rib contest this weekend. Next weekend for sure! Can already tell that the dog knows the season is approaching. He's had a little more pep in his step the last week or so. Can't wait.

[cribbageboy]

Good luck to you all heading out this weekend. I'm a little jealous I have to admit. Got a Community Celebration, and my mother's birthday that always land on Grouse Opener, so I'm afraid I won't make it up again this year. Probably not until the last weekend of September. Can't wait to hear how everybody does!!!

[GSP4ME]

Saw lots of birds and killed lots if trees. Won't make it out again now until the first weekend of October and them its to ne Wisconsin

[duckbuster]

We flushed more Woodys than grouse though.

Pack steel shot and do it "surf & turf."

[jparrucci]

You would be in trouble. I jump shoot beaver ponds for woodies frequently, and grouse hunt my way to and from the ponds. I carry 7 steel with me for the grouse, but have also taken then with 2, 3, and 4 steel on my way to the pond. The 7 steel also makes a great swatter load for cripples.

[Matt Breuer]

I always have different loads in my truck, and I don't think you'd be in trouble. I head up to the hunting land with steel, lead, rifle loads, rimfire, muzzy stuff... the nine. No CO has ever had issues with me carrying steel and lead, and hunting ducks and grouse the same day...

[jparrucci]

You would probably be ok if you had lead in your vehicle. If it is in your pockets or vest, you would be paying a fine.

[CANOPY SAM]

jp +1. In the truck, no big deal. Lead in your pockets while carrying wood ducks in a sling, ticket soup!

[Matt Breuer]

Agreed there. The way I read it appears legal to me. I've shot ducks and grouse the same day, same area, etc...

[Redlantern]

Wouldn't it be easy enough to pull a bb out of the bird to show you were using steel shot? Or have a magnet with you to prove it? Personally, I avoid the hassle and just use steel six shot. We're did you find the steel seven shot?

[jparrucci]

Steel 7 should be available almost everywhere.