Upland Hunting, Bird Dog and Shotgun BS Thread

Well shit, maybe I'm loosing my mind! Nothing to see here, carry on...

 

We need to get out together this year!

 

I’ve always liked the idea of upland hunting. Growing up no one in my family hunted or even owned a gun as far as I know, but I’ve always had an affinity for double guns and thought spending time walking the fields with dogs looking for birds sounded like a slice of heaven. I picked up a Remington Spartan 210 side by side 20 gauge a few years ago with the hopes of using it in the field but never got around to it. Last fall I went dove hunting for the first time with my brother in law in New Mexico and yup I loved it.

We have generous seasons in Alaska for small game, and with my summer work season winding down I took Friday morning off and headed out on my own. Didn't see any birds I could get a shot at but I had fun and found a few more spots I think might be worth checking out. Hoping to get out again this week.

 

re heading to the Allagash region of NW Maine next week. Partridge(ruffed grouse) season starts Saturday. We've been going for over 10 years. We missed one year because forecast of pouring rain for the entire week put a damper on things. We would tent back then. Now, as we aged and gotten softer, we stay in a cabin. Rain be damned.

 

Just found this post and was impressed! My dad runs a couple of setters and I've been going to Wisconsin with him the last 2 seasons and headed there next week. The first two pics are up there. The last pic is here in NC. We shoot strictly benelli's. Some of you more southeast hunters have mentioned low grouse numbers. It's the same case here. If you jump five a day here, you had a great day. I have noticed a few more jumps here recently while hiking. I have read West Nile virus has played a huge role in grouse numbers. And it doesn't help that they have all but stopped cutting timber on the national forests here. Great pics guys!

 

Same here in VA. It's really made an impact on upland and deer hunting. Bear numbers have gone up as a result, too. About the only place you get dense populations of birds or deer is down in the creek bottoms where there is still some under-brush.

Oh, and nice pics!

 

Headed to northern MI next week after I hit Overland Expo East on Friday. Can't wait! 91 degrees today, sure doesn't feel like grouse and woodcock season is around the corner!!!

 

Back form my bird hunting trip. I was SKUNKED! First time ever. Limit is 4 birds per day, 8 total in possession . The two of us usually get 12-16 birds on the trip. My buddy got ONE! Many times we see groups of 2 to 4 birds. Saw only singles. It was a very wet spring and summer in that part of Maine. Forest ranger said he sees 2 or 3 broods(?) hatched most years. Only saw one this year. I'll blame it on the weather ;-) I feel bad for Emmie, my chocolate lab. Didn't get to retrieve! Well, at least I've had the week off from work!

 

Out again this morning, flushed a couple but no luck today. Still a great day for a walk and drive in the woods though!





They don’t have the best reputation, but I love my cheap Russian.

 

Sub’d for the upcoming season!

 

A limit of Timberdoddles a few years back

 

He thinks he’s a bird dog at least

 

GrousePerch.......NO pictures show up from your link. At least, not for me.

 

A few from one of our days in Badger land!

 

Here is a good example of 3 different color phases in Badger land. I got the red one today. Headed back home in the morning. I ended up with 9 this week. Between 5 of us we got 39. I should of killed 20, easily. Grouse will humble your shooting skills, quickly.

 

Great weekend out for quail opener. Pup’s first time in the field.

 

Can anyone recommend a good upland vest for dogs? Prefer something lighter as we'll be in decently warm weather.

 

First, definitely order from Steve Snell at Gun Dog Supply.

As for the vest for dogs, it really depends on the dog. I have GSPs, one an 80# male, lean and tall beast with a huge chest, and a 65# female, normal height, barrel chested. I started with the Sylmar unlined bodyguard vests for both. The even though they are the right size, it doesn't really fit my big male right and it causes chaffing under his front legs. Last year, I got a pair of the Mendota skid plates for them, and that one fit him way better, but it didn't fit my female. I notice on both, getting the tension on the straps is key. Too tight, and it will cause hair to rub off or chaffing. Better to be too loose. They also need a "break in". I'd recommend washing them a couple times with tennis balls or something to soften them up. Ultimately, I only put them on the dogs when hunting public land where there is the possibility of barbed wire or where I know its full of thorns. You also need to watch the dog temps when its hot (hunt in South GA and North FL often). I put them on the dogs in those cases in case we cross any snakes with the warmer weather, but it I do notice that they get warmer faster so I make sure they have water to jump in to cool off (but watch out for alligators too). So this year, its Sylmar for her, and Mendota for him. I have an extra of both that I'll keep around for future dogs since the fitment seems to be so all over the board.

Feel free to PM me.

 

Definitely some great info here. Thanks for the response. I have a female toller who definitely falls on the smaller side at 38 lbs. She’s petite with a small chest, but well proportioned.

I’ve included pictures as a reference. The first picture is more recent as you can see she was groomed, but they give you a general idea.