Sherburn National WIldlife Refuge, today. A nice, this years red phase grouse:



Taken off the second point on the same bird, Louise is getting the hang of wild grouse, something that some dogs never really figure out.
I've owned a few of those dogs. Loved them, anyway.
Louie was belled and had an E-collar on today, along with a blaze orange sleave. No snow on the ground, and she was very easy to see in the woods.
I really wish I had the camera in the woods, I'm guessing this bird held for three or four minutes before it broke, on the point I took the bird on. Spectacular points as well.
The gun is my Lefever Nitro Special in 16 gauge, 26" tubes with cylinder and modified chokes. The entire area is non-toxic only, and I was using some older Heavi-Shot 1 oz loads, at 1150fps, a really nice, comfortable, hunting load.
I own much, much, more expensive guns, but, days like today can make me wonder why.
Tomorrow is pheasant in the southern part of the state. Birds, make bird dogs.

Good luck, everybody.

Best,
Ted