Finally connected on ruffed grouse | Deer River MN

 

Finally got back out hunting after a week of household chores and warm weather.  Tasha, the old timer ( 13 )  got the call so that she could take advantage of the cooler weather.  We had 2 wild flushes in the first 5 minutes and then the action continued to pick up….  She got a couple of nice points that I was able to connect on and I only missed a few of the early ones. At about the halfway point of the loop she went on point about 10 yards off the trail, as I moved in the birds starting popping up all over.  Most we out of range or behind the trees.  We ended up moving 6 or 7 from this one spot but didn’t end up getting any.  At about the 3/4 mark Tasha decided to follow a different route thru the woods.  This used to be a trail to a deer stand but has since over grown.  Her hearing isn’t what it used to be so Iw ent after her when she got to 125 yards away.  It took me a while to catch up to her and she had just gone on point and I was able to take the first one but two more flushed at the shot and I didn’t connect.  We had it back to the truck and she was still going well but it was a good time to end her hunt before it became too much.

Peach got the next spot. This area was my favorite for a number of years but the cover had gotten older and we have had quite as much success but I though it would be a good place to have her try.  She started out well with a grouse and then a woodcock point, neither of which presented a shot.  We didn’t move another birds and she didn’t even get too birdie during her hunt.  At about the 40 minute mark she started to breather really heavily and just sounded like it was a challenge.  We took a break and sat for a few minutes and then I put her leash on her and walked her slowly bak to the truck.  After resting and drinking a lot of water she seemed better.  This evening she seems back to normal.

If all goes well tomorrow Sweep will get to hunt.