Upland Hunting, Bird Dog and Shotgun BS Thread

Old man Dodger and I started at 9am this morning... got 2 pursuits leading to 2 solid points all day... one at 2:41pm one at 2:53! Worked hard for our birds!!! Added some hunting pix to my album! Good luck to all!

 

Took my GSP out today for a few hours, but didn't see anything close enough to get a shot at. All being said though it was an awesome day in the field and my pup is working on sleeping it off now.

 

Ruffed grouse season is winding down in the U.P. of Michigan...I live for dogs and grouse.

 

Came home with great memories but nothing else Saturday morning. The WMA was pretty busy with off-roaders and campers. We tried to get as far off the beaten path as we could but still only managed a couple of points and only one flush. Still, a beautiful morning in the woods to walk behind a dog.

 

Had a short morning hunt and was able to knock a rooster down. My Lab nailed the water retrieve after I dumped the bird in a creek.

 

Had a freak incident yesterday and wanted to share what we learned: I had my methodical diesel paced 10-year-old GSP out and my dad had Frankie his 6-year-old GSP out (runs very very hard). After 3 hours in the field I get a frantic call: Frankie had a crazy seizure, wimpering erratically, then was PASSED OUT ON HIS SIDE COLD in thick cover.... Luckily I was near my Tacoma with my group so ran to the truck and sped about 1 mile out rally-truck style to my dad. Rushed Frank to the emergency vet (called ahead and Frank actually lifted his head while in the truck)... turns out Frank's blood sugar was so low it put him into a hypoglycemic seizure... an IV, some rest, and he is back to normal thank god.... Moral of the story always: A. carry something sugary like honey B. use a tracking device (gps) or audible collar (saved his lifesince my dad was able to locate Frank), and C. pay attention to your dogs mannerisms.

 

Brittanys......hard to beat in my opinion. Q5 Centerfire vest. 20 gauge Benelli Ethos

 

Is that on Hawaii’s big island? Upland hunting there is on my bucket list.

 

Yes it is. It's been slower than usual for the last few years on the public side. This photo was taken on private land after a friend invited me.

 

I hunt SD for phez with several other retired Navy guys. 2 of them bought places in Oahu back in the 70's and spend 6 months there and 6 months back on the mainland. One lives in Seattle and the other in Boston, easy enough to figure out which 6 months where

The Captain hunts the Big Island quite a bit and talks about how great the hunting is. The only issue he has is getting the dog into Hawaii each year, coming back to the mainland is not a problem. No rabies in Hawaii and they want to keep it that way (don't blame them) so the dog has to be in quarantine for 30 days so they ship him on ahead.

Snow pretty much put an end to bird hunting here it is too deep for the dog to run. Right now I really appreciate your picture a lot! I spent 6 months in Oahu in the 70's. Being a lowly enlisted man I did not purchase any real estate LOL.

 

How do you like the ETHOS in a 20? That is probably my next purchase. 26" or 28" barrel? I've been shooting a SBE 2 for a few years in a 12

 

Sorry for the delayed response. It's a 28" barrel. I like the gun. Very reliable, very easy to swing and carry on long walks. It did feel a bit light in the beginning, but I've gotten used to it. I have a Carlson's Light Modified choke on it and I'm shooting #6 Federal game loads. Works just fine for me.

 

The hard thing with up here is we have to shoot nontoxic or steel now so it’s been difficult to find 20 gauge in a pheasant load in stores unfortunately. Glad you like the gun! We kinda all have to shoot like #3 or #4 3”

Finally got my dad’s dog post acl reconstruction and mine out together for the first time and they did insanely awesome!!! So awesome my dad and i took em out the next day also!! They worked perfect together!! Glad to have Frank back in action and healthy! Frankie is the one in the vest

 

Here's a handful of pics of my partner in crime, Ranger with various birds (grouse, woodcock, ducks, geese and pheasant).

 

Any SoCal guys out there? Just curious what areas guys are having success with quail. Started the season strong in Lockwood Valley, but I fear all the weather that has come through in the last few weeks has driven the birds to lower and warmer areas.

Last time I was out in the field we didn’t flush a single bird. Heard a few call, but nothing got up.

 

New CZ Sharptail 16 guage to TW $850 shipped to your FFL. Unfired with case

 

A decent day in the Virginia mountains. Grouse numbers are way down due to poor habitat management, but there's still a few birds to be found if you put in the sweat equity.

 

Same here in WNC. You'll be very lucky to jump 5 in a long day!

 

The wife bought my daughter a half labradoodle half Irish doodle (Irish setter) and she is 15 weeks today. This video is her last week bringing back a frozen dove; I am pretty determined to keep her from being just a lap dog and it seems to be going ok. She also isnt gun shy so that is a big plus haha
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TdEyfjiL5/?igshid=zhqa2riwpgl6
This was 2 weeks ago when I shot the dove, our season is open til Jan 12 and my boss is gonna come over on new years with his 7 month old German wire hair and we are gonna see if the pups can bring back as many as we can shoot... Also his is a boy and ours is a girl so there could be some poodle pointers in the future if things go well.