finsfurfeathers upland hunting thread

wow weather man couldn't be more wrong today. Got to the bush just in time for the rain to start. A cold rain that chills you to the bone. If the woodcock weren't on the move would of left right away. Put Nova done as usual found some birds, plenty of splash on the ground but be it the rain, wind, or just new arrivals they just didn't play well. Got back to the jeep ready to leave but Stella begged for a run. Found a few more birds but seemed more like work than play. Got a couple however sorry no pictures as soggy woodcock and muddy dogs wouldn't make a pretty picture. This week if you can better get out and enjoy the flight as I think its not going to last long this year

Was out last Thursday in prime woodcock habitat. Only put up one bird with no shot! No migrants yet...... I have a feeling we will be hunting these birds into November. Deer season puts a damper on things!

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Originally Posted by Frank16

Was out last Thursday in prime woodcock habitat. Only put up one bird with no shot! No migrants yet...... I have a feeling we will be hunting these birds into November. Deer season puts a damper on things!

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Maybe towards the southwest but the north east things are moving quickly I believe.

Slim pickings today. Moved only 5-6 birds and was only able to knock 1 down. Slow trickle of birds coming down so not hitting numbers but the hunting still is enjoyable.
Dogs covered alot of ground today and were to tired to pose for a pic.

Got out on Tuesday (the 17th) to check out a new tract I thought had the right combination of habitat. Managed to get on two grouse, took one home. Just walked the trail no bush whacking or dog. My dog is out west learning how to be a gun dog and my job was to find her a place to hunt when she returns. Hopefully I did. Can't wait to officially join the upland fraternity. Thanks for all the updates FFF, love to see it.

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Originally Posted by kooka

Got out on Tuesday (the 17th) to check out a new tract I thought had the right combination of habitat. Managed to get on two grouse, took one home. Just walked the trail no bush whacking or dog. My dog is out west learning how to be a gun dog and my job was to find her a place to hunt when she returns. Hopefully I did. Can't wait to officially join the upland fraternity. Thanks for all the updates FFF, love to see it.

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Welcome to the club. Tell us a bit about your dog.

Thank you, thank you. She is a 2.5 year old GSP who's prey drive was all visual and didn't have any wild bird exposure. She'll be coming home in a few weeks from two months in Ssaskatchewan where she has been chasing and pointing countless birds and now knows what she has to do. I'll be doing my best to keep her on birds whenever I can, then next spring will focus further on her foundation and proper habits.

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Was a head scratcher this morning deciding between heading northeast or south west. Had a good north wind with a touch of cold should of moved them down however haven't seen any round the house and its crazy mild this week so maybe held them up. Figured try north as can always go south later in the week if it doesn't pan out. Good news finally shot better over Nova went 3 for 4 however couldn't hit anything over Stella who pointed 5 woodcock and a few grouse. Birds weren't where I expected them. Was going to check more dry edges where migrants usually pitch down. Plans changed when Nova pointed the first bird basically sitting in water. All the birds were nestled on tiny high spots surrounded by water in the middle of the bush. First bird was a male though seem like more hens around. Can't say where we are in the migration seems a steady slow slide of birds.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8c728247_z.jpg

Its definately a slow trickle of birds coming through when the winds are right. My fear is the migration will most likely hit the week of deer season like it has the last couple of years.

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Originally Posted by huntervinni

Its definately a slow trickle of birds coming through when the winds are right. My fear is the migration will most likely hit the week of deer season like it has the last couple of years.

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I agree with you. Should see if we could start a petition to move the control week ahead.