Grouse hunting dad's old trails

My brother and I made it out for some grouse yesterday. We went to an area that my dad used to hunt in the 70's. We had made one symbolic trip shortly after he passed away 20 years ago. We couldn't find "the trail" but we found a few others that would suit our purpose. The first bird flushed as we pulled over to gear up. Good sign/ bad sign? Down the trail we go. First bird up was winged and a runner. Took about 10 minutes (seemed like an hour) to find it, it had hunkered down at the base of a tree. A quick look and, it appeared that a lone pellet had broken one wing. The next number of birds all managed to dodge our shots including one that I still can't figure out. It was open, flying straight and while I didn't see/hear it until it took off I still was kicking myself for missing. As I was doing this 5 more birds flushed at about 10 second intervals but they all went deeper into the spruce and we never had a shot.

We had four more flushes and we each got one to make it a 3/12 day. Turkey dinner today is going to have some special appetizers.

Broken wing

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My brother with our dad's Ithica 20 gauge.

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More leaves on the trees then I expected and the birds seamed to flush a lot more quickly then I remember. Maybe they knew we were from the south. Busy couple of days but may get out again on Monday.

Great day! The only thing missing was dad.

My brother just sent me a scan of a photo from that day 20 years ago. The hat and the gun are the only things that still fit me. Although the hat is stretched out some.

Same Ithica
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps725414ee.jpg

Looks like you should try to make it back more often, gotta love grouse

Very nice report and a nice way to remember dad. :)

Great story, congrats on the birds.

Sounds like you had a great time. Nice nostalgic hunt.

The total package is what it's all about - you, your dad, your brother. I don't go to the cemetery to remember my step-dad, he's still at every special moment that happened in the woods.

It looks like you two had an awesome day. A sweet little brittany would solve those runner problems.

Good stuff! That's a great old photo to compare. Must be a good spot! Enjoy!

Nice images! That 20ga M37 is something one doesn't see often.....pays tribute in fond memories of Dad.

Cool story and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

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Originally Posted by mark_t1012001

A sweet little brittany would solve those runner problems.

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Well I was back at the southern grouse today and brought something else for the runners.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps272f48ca.jpg

Had 3 flushes with a single shot at one. 2 snakes and an owl rounded out the day which he declared a success.

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Looks like a great Thanksgiving.

Nice pics. Nice post. Good work and love the Ithaca over and under 20 gauge

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Originally Posted by darosa

Nice pics. Nice post. Good work and love the Ithaca over and under 20 gauge

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Pretty sure the Ithaca is the pump gun his brother has.

Nice outing.

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Pretty sure the Ithaca is the pump gun his brother has.

Nice outing.

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Ok. The o/u looks nice though

If memory serves, that O/U is the CZ Mallard.

Alot of firearms I am not used to hearing and unfamiliar with. What an amazing sport

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Originally Posted by sharps4570

If memory serves, that O/U is the CZ Mallard.

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It is, 20 gauge. I picked it up this summer. It's my first double. I was surprised how nice it felt compared to the other entry level O/U and figured I had to start somewhere.

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Originally Posted by kickingfrog

It is, 20 gauge. I picked it up this summer. It's my first double. I was surprised how nice it felt compared to the other entry level O/U and figured I had to start somewhere.

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I had inspected one at Epps some years ago when they initially brought in some. CZ sub gauges are all scaled to appropriate frames, and in that aspect, handle very well for wingshooting. Mechanical efficiency perspective, providing DTs on this entry level field O/U was a great idea on part of CZ USA.

Hope the shotgun brings you enjoyment over the seasons.

awesome. three generations of grouse hunters, is great to see!!
congrats on a great hunt and remembering some great memories with your family.

Great story.

great photos and hunt.. just goes to show you ,, the more things change .. the more they stay the same

god bless

That's a great thread kicking frog. We have a wonderful heritage. Saw my brother for the first time in many years last week, and we spent some time talking about all the hunting things Dad had taught us. ( My brother is a guide on Vancouver Island now.)

Thanks Dad.

Hoping to go north of hwy 17 this week and hit some other spots that we (at least not together) haven't spent much time on in years. My brother and I are quite different in most ways and have very different lives but we hunt and fish together and that is a great connection to have.