Grouse hunting dad's old trails

[kickingfrog]

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





My brother with our dad's Ithica 20 gauge.









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

[Mount Sweetness]

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

[TroutSlayer]

Very nice report and a nice way to remember dad.

[TurkeyRookie]

Great story, congrats on the birds.

[JMatthews]

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

[mark_t1012001]

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.

[Sinker]

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

[sharps4570]

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

[dilly]

Cool story and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[kickingfrog]

A sweet little brittany would solve those runner problems.

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



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