Upland hunting

[Viceran]

I'm not starting this thread to debate anyone, but rather just to share some of my experiences. If hunting offends you, then here is your disclaimer to avoid this thread. I'll post links to some pictures here, and not all of them will have birds that we've taken in them, but some will. The ones that are safe for everyone to look at (whether you like hunting or not) I'll note, the others that include birds we've taken I'll mark as well, so there won't be any surprises.

SFE (safe for everyone)
NSFE (not safe for everyone)

I really enjoy being out in the woods, and I really enjoy hunting. I understand that some people don't, and that's fine. I enjoy it and so I'm going to share any experiences that I have that I enjoyed while doing it.

I went out yesterday (Sept. 1st) after work to an area I hadn't been to before. It really looked like great grouse country but we didn't see a thing.

There was plenty of cover, snow berries, rose hips, huckle berries, etc, so I know there was plenty of feed for them, and a water source in the draw we hunted, but... we never saw a thing. Uli was being kinda slow and sluggish, and I thought for sure he was just being lazy, but after this morning I think he was just too hot and that was slowing him down.

So, this morning we went out to a place that we went riding our four wheelers on Wednesday after work. On the way out that evening we saw five ruffed grouse all in one spot together so I figured I'd give it a try up there and hope that I wouldn't run into a bunch of people riding their four wheelers since it's Labor Day weekend.

I got to the trailhead and there was a truck and camp trailer there - I thought "Oh great." but no one was stirring about and their four wheeler was still parked there, so we unloaded and headed up. It was nice and cool, about 45 degrees, and the creek provided plenty of fresh water for Uli whenever he wanted it. He was full of energy - nothing like the night before.

He stopped once on the trail and locked up hard with a beautiful point. Man he looked awesome! I was so excited that I forgot to take the camera out and snap a shot. Crap! No bird that time, just a false point, but it sure was pretty.

Here is a shot of him down in the creek getting a drink. SFE (safe for everyone)


We eventually came to a spot where I didn't want to wade the creek and so we stayed next to the mountain side and worked our way through the brush. The first bird Uli went past, I'm guessing it was coming down the hill and so he didn't cross it's scent and didn't see it either, but his movement spooked the bird enough for me to see him and so I took him.

Here is Uli packing him (after some encouragement). NSFE (not safe for everyone)

Here he is sitting with the bird down in front of him. NSFE (not safe for everyone)

After some more hiking I decided to head back down. We had started at about 8:30 and we had gotten the first bird about 9:45, it was then about 10:30 when we started back down the mountain.

On the way back I noticed him getting really birdie and was watching him follow some scent and thats when we got the second bird. About five minutes after that three four-wheelers came up the trail, and about five minutes after that an older guy came up on one as well, with a bow slung across his back. He had been up there looking for elk but hadn't been successful. Nice guy. We talked for 15 or 20 minutes and then headed out.

Here's another of Uli and I back at the house. NSFE (not safe for everyone)

Uli and the grouse. NSFE (not safe for everyone)

Had a good time. Not too bad for the second day of the season.


Darby

[Priam]

I seriously think you named the dog Uli just for the private pleasure of shouting, "Uli, heel!" and having someone obey...

[Lyds]

Your dog is still gorgeous, that super glossy coat is a clear indicator of how happy and healthy he must be.

[Briseis]

Those are some very pretty birds.

Ours here are very golden-brown coloured. I can't recall ever actually seeing ones with grey plumage.

[Namida]

Nice story It clearly shows the enjoyment of the treck and nature, the pride in your dog and the satisfaction of getting a nice prey It's captivating.

[Keyana]

I myself had to make a trip out to the field on Sept 1st to down some birds though my hunting trip was not nearly as exciting nor did I have a cute four legged companion. My trip consisted of over heated in the Arizona sun and killer looking bruise because of my short arms and 12 gage that was too big for me. It actually looks worse than it is, doesnt hurt at all. Which all in all it was actually rather exciting to me, got to shoot lots of shells and oh I did limit on dove which is always a good thing. Im ready to head back out on Tues.

[Viceran]

Originally Posted by Briseis

Ours here are very golden-brown coloured. I can't recall ever actually seeing ones with grey plumage.

Definitely grey in color. I think I've taken some that were brown, but I think that predominantly in our area they are grey. I'll have to take some better pictures of birds before I carry them around in my vest. They get kind of matted-up-looking after being hauled around.

Originally Posted by Keyana

It actually looks worse than it is, doesnt hurt at all. Which all in all it was actually rather exciting to me, got to shoot lots of shells and oh I did limit on dove which is always a good thing.

Dove opened for us on the 1st as well. I've never shot dove before but would definitely like to give it a go. I did see some Friday after work when we were on our way up to look for grouse, but only while we were in the truck driving.

As for the shoulder - I feel for you. This new shotgun is awesome - I don't even hardly recall taking the shots. It's lighter on the shoulder than my 20 gauge was - I'm really enjoying that.

[Keyana]

It's a blast. Im still getting use to 'public land'. In Texas there is no such thing as public land so you had to know someone or own your own land. It blew my mind to see all these hunters lined up in the fields. It was still a blast though, we found a spot kind of away from everyone else and everyone went home with their daily bag limit. They defenatly are harder to hit than clays. Basically they are fast and unpredictable.