Hi Mike, yes I'm looking forward to the UP too. I understand drumming counts are down 25% in Minnesota from a RGS buddy of mine. They usually decline in the 'cycle' before we do, but I believe we are starting the down cycle as well. Guess we will know when we get there since the DNR rarely does drumming surveys in our area. Sounds good regarding your young setter. You have a nice dog there with lots of hunt and desire in him. I bet you will find him to be a great companion for you in the Northwoods this go around. Stan, in terms of grouse shooting, if I'm hitting 50% I'm having a very good day. Some are better than others. I find myself snap shooting (spray and pray) some, but primarily I use a pass through method mostly, rarely it ever utilizing sustained lead. Those little buggers just don't give you very much time and often times they place some sort of obstruction between you and them at the time of the flush. Points help, but it still is a good test of wing shooting ability. 2 skilled hunters often do better than just 1. Last season I was by myself approaching a point under a hemlock. 2 birds flushed behind the tree into the open and I never got a shot. Had we had 2 hunters we could have approached the point in a different fashion where 1 of us most likely would have had a shot, maybe even a double since the birds flew to an opening in the cover. Looking forward to the fall season! Buzz
