2021 FFF upland hunting thread

Hope its just midseason doldrums. Didn't expect much today as it was calling for another warm day. Figured might as well run a couple of new tracts today. Although didn't look ideal as seemed old forest however there had been alot of tree removeal so quite a bit new growth comming up. Drew a blank there. Wasn't too far from where I was Monday so figured a run threw there should be good.
Moved only 1 woodcock. Was a fun bird as it was a runner took Stella a few minutes to ferret it out. When she finnally pinned it down, on the flush it fluttered through some young pine giving no shot.
Packed it in and made a stop a Cabelas to see if I can get some more shells. Cleaned out the last 6 boxes of 20g 71/2's.
Waiting on some weather to move the birds along

Hunting woodcock in a teeshirt in mid Oct just isn't right. Prospected a new bush today. Cover looked good sign was present just couldn't find 'em. 1 pointed bird, another bust as Stella got winded in the heat.
Must of moved 6-7 grouse good point on 1 however all bustedway out of range.

Birds are on the move however no big push so numbers are consistent. Lots of old splash and new just not the white wash forest floor of a big push. Finding stacked birds mostly on high points surrounded by water in the forest. Birds are quite jumpy even stella had trouble holding them today. With no big fronts on the horizon should be good for a while.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6493a764_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mCNLpi]

Finally starting to feel like october, granted could of done without the lake effect dizzle comming down. Pull into the first spot to find another hunter already there with his dogs. A gracious offer to hunt together was declined as didn't want to interfer or detract from his hunt so I moved on to the next spot. Put Nova down regretting didn't have vid of the hunt as it was one of those comdey of errors hunt. Started off with Nova piling up at the start of the pine plantation. Expecting a woodcock started stomping the rasberry patch trying to get it up. To my suprise a grouse poped up and flew straight down the row, before I could think hey grouse a second busted to my left. Yup caught flat footed didn't even bring up the gun. Continued on to a ridge I found some birds on last year and sure enough caught a flight. Nova must of worked up a dozen woodcock most offered no shot as they flew low. others managed to evade shot. Was able to connect with one as Nova went in to retreive he picked it up and spat it out to turn around and point another bird. Had to go pick of the first than try to flush the second with no joy. Completed his shift with another bird.
Returned to the first spot to find the hunter wrapping up and getting ready to leave. Figured might as well put Stella down even though an english pointer and setter just ran it.
She didn't disappoint as she pinned 8 birds only managed 1 though.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...80bec812_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mDpkjA]

Woodcock numbers have really dried up in the northeast. Only had 4 finds today. Still uncertain if we've seen the last of them as haven't had so much of a frost yet. Grouse though have been taughting me. Had 1 good point and 2 attempted ones with no shot oppurtunity. on the trail back to the jeep with dog on the lease and gun on the shoulder doesn't four bust from the forest edge.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...90f8eba7_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mE5kwf]

Seven grouse contacts in one day isn't too bad for southern Ontario.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sidelock

Seven grouse contacts in one day isn't too bad for southern Ontario.

---

Its bitter sweat. Over the dogs they are running and busting out 70-80 yards ahead. Finding them extremely jumpy. Once the woodcock are gone and maybe a dusting of snow will go back in sleath mode with the dogs and see if I can get a jump on them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Its bitter sweat. Over the dogs they are running and busting out 70-80 yards ahead. Finding them extremely jumpy. Once the woodcock are gone and maybe a dusting of snow will go back in sleath mode with the dogs and see if I can get a jump on them.

---

Grouse will be grouse.

Was hoping the north wind would of brought down some birds but it looks like it blew them out. Dogs had to work hard to find some stragglers today. In any case the weather was great to be out.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4503f4a4_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mEKXeZ]

With the control hunt set to start Monday today was set to be pretty much the last hoo rah. Pondering options last night get a call from a fellow woodcock hunter telling me birds are in but his dog just came up injured. Asked if I want to put mine down and get after them. Didn't take much arm twisting to set plans. Typical flight circus as heavily splashed areas having the dogs spining in circles over the abundant scent. Dogs did their jobs, hunters did theirs and after the smoke cleared a 2 man limit hit the board.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1dc4ff95_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mF8tFB]