finsfurfeathers 2024 Upland thread

Nice to start seeing some colour on the leaves and the kiss of frost was encouraging but the black clouds on the horizon literally dampened the mood. Put Nova down as usual and covered alot of ground but was surprised not even to move one bird. The real disappointing part though was when I ran into a pair of ignorant dog walkers. Was on my way out down the path when a pair of terrier/pit/lab mix dogs showed up in front of me. Quickly heeled and leased Nova and yelled out to call their dogs back. No response and no one visible for a few minutes. Kept calling for the owners to control their dogs to no avail. Finally this pair showed up and leashed their dogs. Of course the worst kind of owners imaginable they were actually irritated that I asked them to control their animals. All the while saying they are friendly however the raised hackles on their backs belied that statement. Not wanting the experience to leave a bad taste in my mouth made off to another forest. Put Stella down and shortly ironically ran into another dog walker with a Corgie. She though was doing it right. Leashed her dog, was wearing high vis colthing and even went so far to poop and scoop. Chatted a bit and she told me of an incident were a Golden chased her dog. Parted ways and went back to looking for some birds. Moved only 4-5 birds none giving a shot though. Called it quits just in time as when we got back to the jeep the sky opened up and a downpour with hail came down.
So the stage is set figure within the week birds should be coming down hoping with this rain they'll stage up a bit before moving on.

Just found out one of my public land hot spots has been closed for logging. That’s okay, it’s the previous logging in there that made it a hot spot.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Nice to start seeing some colour on the leaves and the kiss of frost was encouraging but the black clouds on the horizon literally dampened the mood. Put Nova down as usual and covered alot of ground but was surprised not even to move one bird. The real disappointing part though was when I ran into a pair of ignorant dog walkers. Was on my way out down the path when a pair of terrier/pit/lab mix dogs showed up in front of me. Quickly heeled and leased Nova and yelled out to call their dogs back. No response and no one visible for a few minutes. Kept calling for the owners to control their dogs to no avail. Finally this pair showed up and leashed their dogs. Of course the worst kind of owners imaginable they were actually irritated that I asked them to control their animals. All the while saying they are friendly however the raised hackles on their backs belied that statement. Not wanting the experience to leave a bad taste in my mouth made off to another forest. Put Stella down and shortly ironically ran into another dog walker with a Corgie. She though was doing it right. Leashed her dog, was wearing high vis colthing and even went so far to poop and scoop. Chatted a bit and she told me of an incident were a Golden chased her dog. Parted ways and went back to looking for some birds. Moved only 4-5 birds none giving a shot though. Called it quits just in time as when we got back to the jeep the sky opened up and a downpour with hail came down.
So the stage is set figure within the week birds should be coming down hoping with this rain they'll stage up a bit before moving on.

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I had a nice experience with someone a week ago when I was out as well. Indy and I had been out for about an hour and only had a couple grouse flush from about 50ft up in a tree. We had been pushing looking for some more grouse but it was getting dark so we started to head down the trail home when a guy with a small short snouted dog (couldn't really see it through the long grass) popped up. He immediately stepped to the side and leashed his dog. I recalled Indy and leashed him. We chatted for a few minutes and went on our way. It's always good to see proper etiquette when you are out and about.

We also got our on that rainy day. Managed to get one woodcock after bumping it the first time. And a really good point but wild flush on a second. Would have been a better day I think if it didn't downpour on us

Waiting on the birds to come down thought today would be a nice day for a walk around Hullet. It also gave me an excuse to see if I could indulge a bird hunting fantasy. Left the GTA a little later than I usually like as I prefer starting at sunrise but as it turned out could of slept in today. Had the place to myself and pick one of my preferred parking stake. Put Nova down and not 10 minutes into his run came out of the fence row plastered in blood. Neck and shoulder looked like a horror show. Oddly didn't seem phased by it. Heeled him in ,leashed him up and quickly made my way to the jeep. Wash and toweled him off to try and find the wound but could find it. Watched him for a bit and didn't see any new blood so let him rest while I put Stelle down. Managed to find one woodcock but after the initial flush and 2 reflushes it finally went to parts unknown. No pheasant seen and no shots heard. Got back to the jeep and decided to check around and see the the other lots looked like. Swung back to the original spot just in time to see a grey truck drive down the field. While I waited for the truck to return gave Nova another look over and it appears he either cut or torn and ear. As it turned out it was the release truck putting out birds at 11:00 am. With one dog already burned and the other cut up decided it was time to see if I could track down my goal. Turns out the hungarian partridge I want to buy weren't available this year. Oh well there's always next year (and I'll make sure to call first)
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Originally Posted by ninepointer

Just found out one of my public land hot spots has been closed for logging. That’s okay, it’s the previous logging in there that made it a hot spot.

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They have been doing alot of cutting. Some lumber some thinning some clearing of dead trees. One of my spots was closed up to the 25th however the cut was completed and clear so opened back up.

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Originally Posted by anglodrkns

We also got our on that rainy day. Managed to get one woodcock after bumping it the first time. And a really good point but wild flush on a second. Would have been a better day I think if it didn't downpour on us

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Ya they don't sit as tight on the reflush. Going to give the dogs bed rest tomorrow, looks like Sunday is a write off if Nova's cut heals up and the weather breaks for Monday may get back after them.

No better way to burn off that extra helping of turkey than take a walk in the wood. Left early and headed to a spot as close to home as possible as figured wanted to be on my way home by noon to avoid the crazy holiday traffic. Prefect conditions for a run and with this weather birds had to be on the move. Put Nova down and off to the races. It quickly became apparent birds are starting to move down as were finding them in classic migrant locations. Nova was finding quite a few however his pace and range is typically in that 70-80 yard range and by the time I get to him the bird is stale. Almost all were runners and had a hard time setting up for the shot while trying to kick them up. Managed two by the end of his run and switched him out for Stella. Went back over the area with her as she's usually in the 30-40 yard range and I'm sure she has part ferret in her as them runners were quickly put in place. Managed another two before we had enough and called it a morning. The one surprising thing is essentially had the area to myself can't imagine an uplander doing anything else on such a fine morning.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5582e82737.jpg

Great stories so far. Keep them coming please!
I was fortunate enough to be a part of an archery moose hunt in WMU 60 from October 5 to 11.
Spent every single day in the woods and flushed a total of four grouse, and zero woodcock.
My 11 year old GSP is quite slow now and he was never good at finding woodcock anyway, but I intend to take him out soon and let him be happy in the bush!

Went to Tiny this morning. The dog and I had the place to ourselves. Moved 6 pheasants. Left with 3 empty hulls and one bird in the vest.

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

Went to Tiny this morning. The dog and I had the place to ourselves. Moved 6 pheasants. Left with 3 empty hulls and one bird in the vest.

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why you bothering with pheasants when woodcock are around....or our you just keeping quiet on that? looking forward to the pm

Hard to be glum after a good run in the woods but ya a little disappointed. Went to my prime woodcock spots to hit all my go to /favorite/ guaranteed points only to find one here and there with no real sign they have been around. Can't be to early, doesn't look like I missed them scratching my head as to why the cupboard was scarce. Managed to scratch down two before running out of gas and calling it a day. Of note leaves are changing colour however not much is falling. Also the area is unusually dry. Places I needed hip waders to cross now can be managed with tennis shoes,
OH well always next time.

Took my 9 month old out for her 4th hunt of the year. Attachment 44899
She's starting to put it together. I'm only shooting pointed birds at this point. Found one hen yesterday that sat nice and tight for her. It all came together.
Mike