finsfurfeathers upland hunting thread

With the rain all night figured it would be a wet go so opted for a gentlemans hunt today. Picked a spot that had plenty of access roads, atv, and motocross trails. Gave the dogs a free run to covered the bush as I walk the paths. Had only 5-6 finds none of which gave a clean shot as the birds were under head high pines. Packed it in at 1:30 when a cloud burst dropped another round of rain. Leaves are starting to fall but the birds aren't on the move yet. Did manage a grouse recovery off 27 just at the Innisfil border road kill is better than nothing LOL

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

FFF has a refined eye for woodcock cover. He looks for and finds them in places that I would likely overlook.

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You give me to much credit. I just put the dogs down and they do all the work.

The cool thing about woodcock is they can be anywhere. Sneaky little buggers.

Gave up hunting Saturdays as it was always a challenge finding a quite spot to do my thing. Had a rare Saturday off so with it being the least rainy day figured go out and at least see who else is out and about with their dog. Surprised to see no one out. Where did everyone go? Has our sport been reduced to popping a couple of release birds and call it hunting? Its bitter sweet for me as I had the whole bush to myself but sadden to think my be the last of my kind.
Well for the report. Finally starting to feel like fall. Dark skies on the drive up opened up to bright sun for the start of the hunt. Was finding a bird here and there and had me thinking not much movement was going on till I found a point that held a cluster of 6-8 that made for a few minutes of mayhem. When the smoke cleared two were in the bag. Think next week should be go time as temps have fallen, rain has come, and the leaves are falling. Just hope they stick around for an extended time.
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Nice work!

As for the lack of people running dogs, I've spent a lot of time in the bush over the last decade in different townships and can count on one hand how many I've encountered. The most common I see are road (trail) hunters on ATVs.

keep it up FFF. I enjoy reading your posts. I agree we upland hunters are a dying breed. I can not convince my friends to chase birds in the bush. I will admit to chasing waterfowl more these days then upland. I do still plan on chasing grouse and woodcock this season but need to dial down my expectations as cover and land to hunt them seems to be disappearing faster then I can find it.

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Originally Posted by Pigeoneater5000

keep it up FFF. I enjoy reading your posts. I agree we upland hunters are a dying breed. I can not convince my friends to chase birds in the bush. I will admit to chasing waterfowl more these days then upland. I do still plan on chasing grouse and woodcock this season but need to dial down my expectations as cover and land to hunt them seems to be disappearing faster then I can find it.

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Being North of Norfolk you have almost unlimited public access.

Cashing in my vacations days as its getting close. Fantastic day to be out in the woods. Cool temps, clear skies, and minimal wind made for a good walk. Plan was to hit all my spots where migrants usually pitch down. Found one here one there with no sign that they have come or gone. Finally connected with a grouse though it was in the air truth be told its wasn't on the wing either. We had already moved several grouse but luck wasn't on my side. Stella got a bit birdy and a grouse broke cover and fluttered up into some low branches than flew off. Mean while Stella went on point and as I was approaching a second bird flush straight up into a pine. Rationalized the gimmy as well the bird was pointed and I still had to test the 28 load on grouse. Came across a ground blind with a pile of corn and camera if you recognize stella in the pics pm me as will be hit the spot a few times over the next couple weeks. On a curious note one of the Woodcock looked a little more blue back never really notice the variance or I'm just seeing things.
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I'm watching your thread closely FFF. I'm not seeing migrants yet either. Hoping to get out tomorrow morning if the rain cooperates.

Friday the 13th wasn't unlucky but sure was a weird one. Another gorgeous day to be out. Head out to check out some new haunts as not much is happening. Put Nova down at the first spot and started finding birds here and there thing was for the life of me couldn't hit a darn thing. Not talking those partial birds for a fraction of a second but shots clear and away. Got back to the jeep and went off with Stella and couldn't miss. Don't know why shot better over one than the other. Moved to a second new bush and meet a couple of motocross guys there who asked what I was up to. Said a bit of grouse/woodcock hunting to which they asked what cover do they like. Did my best Babe Ruth impression as I pointed to a clump of poplar just behind parking lot. Put Nova back down and was pleasantly surprised to find a bunch of birds right were I said. They were there for a while as the floor was nicely white washed. Nova pointed bird after bird and still couldn't hit a thing. Finally flushed one and saw I touched it but it didn't fall. Went in the direction last seen and soon enough Nova found the winged bird and brought it too me still alive. His usual goofy happy go lucky expression had a bit of disgust and kind of said "dude if this is the best you can do lets pack it in". Hope to redeem myself Sunday.
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