doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com I cautiously declare...

...the grouse population on the rebound in central MN. Had a WONDERFUL day of hunting here today (Saturday) just the dog, I, and my century (give or take) old 16 Tobin. I stole off between coats of varnish on the woodwork for the baby's room, and in 2 1/2 hours moved four birds. I was presented with shots at three and collected one, a young bird. I moved one woodcock, which I didn't take (easy enough shot) since the dog didn't handle it well, and I have been passing on the little guys since their numbers seem to be waning.

A nice reward, and better than the last few times I made it out the previous season. The number 7 Westley Richards 2 1/2 loads did their work superbly (when I did mine)

Hope you guys are doing as well, or better. I love it here. Pheasant opens in a few weeks, and I can't wait.
Best,
Ted

Baby's room!

Similar day in Wisconsin. Moved 15 grouse, saw two, bagged one. Took one woodcock, but I could have taken a dozen. I'd say the upswing has begun. Fall colors are spectacular.

I'll be in MN for the pheasant opener.

No pictures Ted!! And no Darne??

Been the same in northeastern Michigan. Flushed about eight yesterday and two woodcock. Only really had about 3 shots, bagged one This was around 8:30-9:00AM. I havent been able to get out in the afternoon/evening, but am planning on it tomorrow. Will post pics if I shoot any. Darn leaves still havent fallen and the ferns are still up! Thank you cyl imp cyl

I only had 2 1/2 hours-I brought gun, ammo, dog, dog bell, compass and a sandwich and water. Sorry, no camera.
The Darne will be along for pheasant opener.
Best,
Ted

Ted, what does this Tobin weigh after you restocked it, Nice job by the way!!!!! Does your Tobin feel better than a Darne is it lighter, faster to the shoulder?
I've heard, correct me if I'm wrong that Woodcock leave a very heavy scent that scrambles even the best dog sniffers, is this what happened??
All the best

The restocked Tobin weighs 6lbs, 6ozs. I didn't do it, Randy Murray, of The Dalles, OR did it.

It is a little heavier than my 12 gauge R10, and a little lighter than my Bruchet R 16 12 ga. magnum.

The guns get to the shoulder as fast as I get them there, I guess. A little slower than when I was 21!

If there is an easier bird for a dog to work than a woodcock, I don't know about them. When I was having trouble with my Gordon setter pup bumping birds, Norm Sorby told me to take him woodcock hunting. The bumping went away after a day. The birds are steady, stinky, and a pup can figure them out quickly, on his own.
Best,
Ted

Last Sunday, in Manitoba, 6 of us got 10 sharptails up in a 2 mile walk, of which we bagged 9. A "covey" of 4 produced 3 on the flush, and a walk-up on the spot the last one landed ended badly for the bird. We followed that with a "covey" of 6 which stayed together after the flush, resulting in 5 more birds in the bag.

I'd been led to believe that grouse would flush more wildly, but these birds didn't flush until 10 or 20 yards away. Since I have only hunted grouse that one time, I'm interested in finding out if that is typical for sharptails.

Thanks,

Todd

Ted, I have to agree with you. I hunted bear last week, about 75 miles northeast of here. The property was crawling with ruffies. I must return this weekend with the 16 bore hammergun!