Upland Hunting, Bird Dog and Shotgun BS Thread

I stumbeled across this one, lightly used in a local gun shop. It took an obscene amount of $$$ to bring it home.

Sept 10th 2001 I was in a shop in Turkey with a Hugalu(sp?) o/u20g in my hands but I did not want to go through the mild hassle of bringing it back to the US on the ship. Little did I know what would happen the next day and that the Rhodes port calls would be gone forever

 

It’s crazy. I just searched GB and looks like I could sell mine for twice what I paid 7 years ago. But I’m keeping it, it’s my favorite shotgun.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm starting to read more and more about looking for "features" on the prairie that break up the grassland. As you said, fence rows, trees, brush, creek bottoms, etc. It seems to be the same story for every species of game bird I've ever hunted (pass shooting doves being the exception) that they tend to inhabit "edge" cover, whatever that may look like in their particular habitat.

I shot my first ruffed grouse in the early '90s (1992 maybe?) in western Virginia. I've been a grouse junkie ever since, and spent several of the early years climbing rough Appalachian ridges thrashing the brush with limited success, until I started honing in on edge cover. Since then I've done okay and moved enough birds to keep me interested (which in Virginia isn't many...but enough). I've taken several trips to the UP (Delta and Schoolcraft Counties) to chase grouse and woodcock along with may seasons in the Pigeon River of Cheboygan County. Hopefully MN won't stump me too bad, but after almost thirty seasons and five setters, I've learnt the minutia of what makes good grouse cover versus what "looks" like good grouse cover. Plus I've also learned that the X factor is simply putting miles down. You can't always expect to climb out of the truck and flush birds. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't and when it doesn't, you'd better start covering ground until you find the birds and figure out why they're there.

I appreciate your tip of North Central MN vs. North Eastern, although I hear MN is terrible for ruffs and woodcock!

 

I dunno if we will be ready in 6 weeks for dove season but we will see what happens
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDKly8tgiUK/?igshid=y2r1zcuz87x1

 

Birdie looked the part for a bit, but short of one starling I shot, I had to pick up all my birds... She didnt even stay the whole hunt my wife came and got her... To be fair I only shot 1 dove while she was still anywhere around. They were slow until about 5:15 or so. Wound up with these 9 to clean and 1 in the freezer for more training ... Dad came out late and added 3 to the pile, had to fish one out of the pond with a jitter bug
12 breast sitting in the fridge aint bad for a slow opener. Next weekend should be hot since the corn will be shelled; we were just in a cow pasture today.

 

Last October with my now 3 yo Clumber Spaniel Hogan In central VT shooting my grandad's Parker. One month till the golden days.

 

I've still have my parker , sadly the quail in my state are no more

 

anyone gonna be chasing Pheasant in western Kansas?

 

Getting out for Dove on Saturday. Can't wait...

 

Flushed 2 ruffies while mountain biking today, nearly ran them over. The season opens tom morning and it feels like Christmas
My uncle sends me this every year before opening day. Enjoy lol. https://youtu.be/XyWNwqMZXfM

 

A buddy and I are heading to NW Maine Sunday for a few days of partridge hunting. Unfortunately, it's going to be damp and unseasonably warm. But, a few days of hunting is LOTS better than most things!

 

I call that grousmas..

Leave a week from Sunday on the 4th to the tip of the Mn. Arrowhead with 2 Tollers. Taking 3 guns along all 16 ga. of course. Think I have it narrowed down to which 3. Return on the 28th. Dogs and I will be exhausted but happy....

For almost a decade over on Upland Journal there is a video that is funny as all get out about hunting the "ruffled grouses". Helps if you know some of the people mentioned in it but even if you don't think it is still worth the watch.

 

It's been a minute since I've seen that video, hahaha, but pretty much sums it up. Took a semester of college online just to hunt the ruffled grouses in VT. Good luck choosing which guns to take, I'm having a hell of a time picking a backup to the Parker 12 for possible SD pheasant trip in Nov.

 

I usually hunt phez first 2 weeks in Nov. crops are either out or on the way out. 4 of us that are retired Navy are the core and a few others drift in and out. Including some retired AF pilots. Last few years aren't as good as they have been in the past but the 4 of us usually limit out. Hunted there long enough and got to know enough people that we have access to a lot of private land.



The Admiral ended up buying a house there and declaring SD as his home of residence, paid for the house in 6 years from Tax savings compared to Va. He won't let us pay him anything but said he will take gifts. What they hell can you get a 2 Star Admiral that already has everything? I gave him the dining room table that my sons grew up with.



Must be toward the end of the stay the wine cooler that stores the dinner wines is getting pretty empty LOL.

Wild pheasants in SD I only use a 12 ga. 1 1/4 oz. of #5 and am down to 2 guns. Upper Sandusky 12 ga. Ultralight 37 at 6 pounds.



And 26" Benelli Ultralight at 6 pounds also



Yes that is a screw in polychoke on the end of my bbl. it helps a great gun swing even better.

Weather in SD during November can be unpredictable to say the least. One day might be sweating in shirt sleeves.



Couple of days later everyone is rushing to get the crops out before the snow gets too deep



Pretty much the same as Mn. Last year on October 13th at a lodge near a cabin I stay in 2.5 miles from the Canadian border.



Good luck and hope you get to go this year! Bird numbers are up even though the State stopped doing road counts. Should be a good year in SD.

 

Out of my element recording like this
https://youtu.be/PD4yN3Nr5fg

 

So I am guessing (hoping) everyone is out chasing birds with the dogs which is why no one has given updates.

First couple of weeks at the cabin were great in early October. Weather was great, grouse numbers good and dog work was great. Went home for 5 days and came back to snow and cold. 12 days straight it hasn't gotten above freezing. Snow every day. Sun finally came out today but wind was 20-30 mph. Screw it stayed in the cabin and started packing leave for home in the morning. Second stretch wasn't a total bust but sure was tough sledding. Dog didn't give a damn at 6 he is in his prime. Me not so much LOL.



Pick up his son on Saturday he will be 7 almost 8 weeks old. Likely my last pup. Not even sure which one yet but I trust the breeder 100%, she can choose the pick of the litter better than I can. She has always chosen well for me and knows what I want.

 

There’s more to Upland hunting than shotguns right?

I’ve never yet managed to find myself in possession of a 22lr rifle. I have never really cared for the 10/22, have no desire for an AR clone, nothing bolt action really ever struck me either. The only 22 I really wanted was a browning SA-22, but could never afford one.

Well on my bi-weekly trip to the LGS to be disappointed in my search for ammo, I came across two rare finds: a brick of Remington Thunderbolt and...



... a Remington Model 24, the less expensive produced-under-license Remington version of John Browning’s rifle. Only made for about 15 years, it’s much rarer and some how less expensive. I just couldn’t pass it up! I was headed to the range anyway today, so I got to break it in to my ownership and man what a sweet shooting little rifle. It’s got a future of hunting ptarmigan, squirrel, and snowshoe hares with me along with lots of plinking and probably even some rimfire steel matches.

edit: date code on the barrel says it was made in July 1928. I’d love to know the rest of the guns history and where it’s been for the last 92 years

 

Very nice score! You do know I'm sure that there are a lot of snobs, mainly city folk, that frown on ground sluicing birds LOL. Did I mention they are mainly city folks? I do prefer to use the dog and shotgun, but don't begrudge anyone for hunting no matter what they use as long as it is legal.

Got my NRA Distinguished Expert and bars more than half a century ago with a Remington 514. Shot a lot of woodchucks with it also, mainly head shots. Bring on that chuck from Pa. I'm ready to dust his arse right now!

 

Was able to get out and got on a few covey of quail this year with the pup. Hoping to be able to go next weekend as well which is the last weekend for us out here.