Anybody grousin' this weekend?

[Harmonica Bear]

So... anybody as excited about opening day as I am? I'll be hunting areas North and East of Mille Lacs hell or high water. Anybody else getting out?

Good luck this year and be safe,

HB

[captkev]

Rain or shine, I'll let the dog get some fresh scent anyway, she needs the exercise and so do I....Come on FROST! Them leves can start drop'n any time

[fishlakeman]

Will be hitting my honey hole with my friends. Can't wait to get out in the woods. Remember though, no pulling the trigger on those woodcock yet, they're next weekened.

[Jiffy]

I'd like to go out but I will have to see what the schedule looks like. I sure hope it is better this year. Last year many of the trails that we always get a bird or 2 on, even in bad years, we didn't see a thing. I like being out in the woods no matter what but it would be nice to get a bird or 2. If I don't see some improvement in the population over last year I may just do some fishing and enjoy the woods from my boat instead.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

I'll be out first light. NW Wis. I think I know where a few are and it's gonna be fuuuuuuuuuuuuunnn. A little hunting, a little taping/mudding, a little fishing.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Nice heads up on the Woodcock season. That is very unusual for it to start after Grouse opener.

[Northland Sportsman]

I will be out as well. Its still a bit of a challenge this time of year, but will be good exercise for the dog and me both. I can't wait to get some shooting in and only a month until phesants!

[Riverratpete]

Wouldn't miss it for the world plus this is my sons first year actually carring a gun since he completed gun safety so it'll even be more exciting...don't normally do very well on opener, 1 -2 birds lately but it's just the tradition and I do love the smell of the woods on an early fall morning! It's what poet talk about and what painter paint.

[charliepete2]

I'll be out there nice and early. I've got one dog layed up for two weeks, so the pup will be pulling double duty. I hope this weather blows over. It's been too darn hot for hunting lately.

[BigDaddy]

I'm pumped for Saturday. C'mon cool weather.

[subzero]

Have to wait until next weekend, wedding to go to. Then the fall is open and I will be out every weekend.

[Melon]

I'm headed up North East of Mille Lacs... I Can't wait. It'll be nice to get out and enjoy the scenery, hopefully I'll be able to kick up a bird or two. That'll just be a bonus.

Good luck out there everyone and be safe!!

[WAG416]

Will be bowhunting early morning, doing a bit of ruffy hunting during the day. good luck gentleman.

wag

[FOOT]

The only thing I'm grousin' about this weekend is that I have to be on-call again and can't go hunting or fishing.

Cant' wait until end of October when I don't have to be on-call anymore till next year.

You guessed it - I'm looking for another position where I don't have to be on-call at all, it sure messes with the hunting and fishing.

[bigeyes]

The latest forcast says it might hit 80 on Sat. Be carful or you will kill your dog. Looks Like Jake and I are going to hunt hard for a few hours in the morning and then take it easy the rest of the day. I sure hate this heat.

[woodview]

At the crack of dawn!

It'll be my first day hunting with the new dog. I've got a really beautiful trail picked out for our first hunt. In the last 2-3 years it hasn't failed to produce at least one flush for me. With the new dog I really hope to get into as many birds this year as the last couple.

May bring the Floating Toad (pontoon) and hit a little lake that can occassionally produce at this time of the year during the midday. Even in the thick stuff it's gonna be warm so the morning and evening will be spent watching my dog deal with her first grouse.

I may have to call in today.... sick with 'fantaticus-kandt-ghett-enuffuss'.

I can see it now. I'll be there by noon today - tomorrow the sun will come up with me and the dog pointing at the trail head.... both shaking.

Monday, it's "spreading".

[Harmonica Bear]

I feel a little scratchy in the throat myself. I think I'll have to leave early, wouldn't want to spread my illness to others.

(Contact US Regarding This Word) I am looking forward to this weekend, the bags are packed, the dog is ready.

The heat will be a concern that is for sure. Take care of the dogs, priority one.

Good luck!

[FOOT]

Bigeyes, you are correct about the heat. I almost lost my 4 year old lab last year hunting the opening of ND waterfowl.

Mid-day we spotted some ducks sitting on a small pond and decided to put the sneak on. Well to get to the open water we had to cross several yards of Alkali flats. Ducks heard us and took off before we could get a shot. Walking back the dog was sucking in Alkali dust and I didn't notice.

Once back at the truck I gave her a drink of water but she wouldn't touch it.

Sitting on the tail gate I saw her stagger and her head start to flop from side to side. Scared the h--- out of me and I hope I never see it again.

I grabbed several bottles of water, got her in the shade and forced the water into her until she threw it back up.

The foulist white/green stuff came out of her mouth.

After that she just lay there drinking water by herself.

I think it was the heat that made her toungue hang out and pant in the Alkali flats that made her injest the Alkali.

Her temp had obviously reached a critical level and had I not done anything she'd be gone.

I'm happy to say she will be at my side on opening day this year.

Be careful out there guys and keep them dogs hydrated.