Can't speak for red grouse, but, ruffed grouse counts are up 40% over last year, and Minnesota continues to suffer a horrific infestation of those Chinese immigrants known locally as ring necked pheasants. They have been running around in my suburban yard, for crying out loud. Woodcock are in decline, so I've avoided shooting any the last several seasons, and will continue to do same. Two out of three 'ain't bad, you know. My English setter, my Tobin 16, and the pair of 12 and 20 gauge Darnes have resigned ourselves to a busy, and productive autumn of insuring only the best survive.
A little rain would be nice, and, I'll be forced to drive on interstate 94 to avoid the recently collapsed 35W bridge in Minneapolis, but, hey, things could be worse-I could be forced into using steel shot statewide (a likely scenario, in the globally warmed future, I figure someone will suggest lead shot is the real culprit any day now) and a lowly pump. These are the good old days.
Let the good times roll.
Best,
Ted
