So me and my hunting partner IHunt head back to our public hunting grounds in hopes of some redemption of the woodcocks that flew away unharmed the other day. Not sure if it was our eyes or our barrels were bent from the off season. (I’m going with barrels bent) lol. To our surprise everything was dry and there is not a woodcock to even be flushed. Determination of flushing something we strategize a plan. We hunt these tree rows on either side and take turns pushing an area as the other guy is watching. I tell IHunt to stay where he is and I was going to push to the end of the row in hopes something flushes and goes his direction. Well as I turn at the end of the row and stop for a second a grouse flushes and crashes through branches like a bull walking through a china shop and is heading towards IHunt. I yell grouse coming your way and IHunt lets one go and bird is down. Nothing beats when a plan comes together. No more flushes for the day and back home we went before the wives get angry lol
"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, Teach a man to fish and he eats for the rest of his life"
Great hunt today with Tom Gobble. Thanks for flushing the bird my way I'm sure I will return the favour some day. It worked out perfectly as we hoped for.
Tom Gobble worked the thick brush like a dedicated bird dog would. When I lost site of him in the thick cedars I heard the customary thunder of the grouse as it thrashed towards me and hear his call to action. I stood on point, the Browning poised ready for duty hoping it would come my way. Well it made a swift appearance, fast and furious straight at me. I never had one fly right at me, and was unsure of making the shot but made the split second calculations and squeezed the trigger . The gun roared and the bird fell by my feet. I kneeled down to admire the beauty of the young grouse as Tom calls out " did you get it? " I leave him wondering and pause cherishing the moment and soaking in the glory of our success. After a few seconds of silence the suspense leaves Tom agonising and he calls out again. I end the suspense and holler back " bird down buddy, bird down! "
Once again our hard work paid off. Sometimes its a thin line between success and failure, today success was on our side and we were thankful for our Thanksgiving blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope everyone is able to be with friends and family and are thankful for all the blessings in your life.
Last edited by ihunt; October 10th, 2022 at 06:37 AM.
First grouse of the season
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