Here we go. Both Mn and Wi this weekend. Ill be hitting sub-par areas in NW Wisconsin this weekend. I hope to get lucky and score a couple which is just enough for my wife and I to have a meal. It will just be nice to get out. Ill make it to North Central MN in October.
This whole topic makes me vaguely uncomfortable.
Grouse
This whole topic makes me vaguely uncomfortable.
Grouse
As it does every year!! I love it!
Keep your head down this weekend!! 
This whole fall snuck up on me, so much I need to do and such a full calendar already, to try and squeeze it into!
Grouse opener this weekend… wow that seems crazy.
I probably won’t be out until the end of the month or early October. I like to get out when the leaves start dropping.
Grouse opener this weekend… wow that seems crazy.
I probably won’t be out until the end of the month or early October. I like to get out when the leaves start dropping.
Early season is for the guys that LOVE Grouse hunting. Hey Tegg and Timmy! Where are you?!
Early season is for the guys that LOVE Grouse hunting.
I don’t love it… It’s for guys that have nothing else to do for a month until pheasant hunting starts! I’ll be up in the Superior forest somewhere Saturday through Tuesday. Haven’t done well at all last couple years but it’s better than working.
I have hunted grouse in Sept but I have to admit I do generally wait a couple weekends. My Sept wing shooting is usually a morning waterfowl sit. Oct, however, is a different story.
I do have my eye on a new area I’ve been driving by. There may be a chance for sharpies on that plot. I’d love to get a ruffed, sharpie, timber doodle trifecta.
Cash and I are very excited for the opener. He goes crazy when I shoot the pellet gun in the yard. That beind said September is nice for walks in the woods with the dog. October / November is for grouse hunting in the woods.
September is nice for walks in the woods with the dog. October / November is for grouse hunting in the woods.
Im sure that’s true for some.
1st walk in the woods a month ago revealed an 8 flush 20 minutes… Looking forward to the new home for the rest of this fall…
Mark
Im sure that’s true for some.
+1. Shooting birds before the leaves fall is definitely doable if you put your time in, find where the birds are holding and have a good dog. Most people just write it off as too hard and not worth their time when the foliage is still up. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard something along the lines of “….I’m waiting until the leaves fall before I hit the woods”, I’d be able to buy a new shiny O/U 
. I’ll take it tho – less traffic in the woods the better as far as I’m concerned.
I’ll be out in the woods Sat and Sun north of Duluth. Can’t wait!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
Im sure that’s true for some.+1. Shooting birds before the leaves fall is definitely doable if you put your time in, find where the birds are holding and have a good dog. Most people just write it off as too hard and not worth their time when the foliage is still up. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard something along the lines of “….I’m waiting until the leaves fall before I hit the woods”, I’d be able to buy a new shiny O/U
. I’ll take it tho – less traffic in the woods the better as far as I’m concerned.
I’ll be out in the woods Sat and Sun north of Duluth. Can’t wait!
I dont look at it as an obstacle. As a matter of fact I find it less appealing when the cover is mostly gone. I like hunting the seasonal transition. I just love chasing Grouse and the sooner the better.
I dont look at it as an obstacle. As a matter of fact I find it less appealing when the cover is mostly gone. I like hunting the seasonal transition. I just love chasing Grouse and the sooner the better.
It’s not the challenge that bothers me, just more of the warm weather and bugs and foliage constantly brushing my face that is less appealing to me. That and free time is limited so I am gearing up for waterfowl opener and then will turn to upland – both pheasant and grouse – in a few more weeks. To each their own.
Good luck to all headed out this weekend! Fall is upon us!
Last year was a new pup break in period for my dog so I’ll take a muligan on September hunt and see if we cant get some birds. He is much more in tune on what we hunt for now vs. last September running down every scent trail he came upon. Should be an exciting year #2.
Last year was a new pup break in period for my dog so I’ll take a muligan on September hunt and see if we cant get some birds. He is much more in tune on what we hunt for now vs. last September running down every scent trail he came upon. Should be an exciting year #2.
Year #2 with a dog is always a ton of fun. Leaps and bounds from year #1.
My dog is on year #3 and I’m excited as well.
Last year was a new pup break in period for my dog so I’ll take a muligan on September hunt and see if we cant get some birds. He is much more in tune on what we hunt for now vs. last September running down every scent trail he came upon. Should be an exciting year #2.
What kind of dog did you get? Did you shoot any birds over him last year?
Just to keep the conversation rolling and fuel my excitement for saturday… What do you guys carry/shoot for grouse?
I’ve got a 20 ga Franchi O/U with I/C and M chokes. Usually shoot 2/3″ 7.5 shot.
I’m down to one Setter and she’s 11 now, so I will just be enjoying every minute I have her out in the fields and woods. She still hunted hard last year, but enthusiasm is now far beyond her physical abilities so I need to dial her back and not over do it. I hope everyone has a great upland bird season!
I would say I’d like to pick up where we left off last winter, but her last point was on a bear in a den under a giant rotted stump, so I’d prefer not to go there again:).
Just to keep the conversation rolling and fuel my excitement for saturday… What do you guys carry/shoot for grouse?
I’ve got a 20 ga Franchi O/U with I/C and M chokes. Usually shoot 2/3″ 7.5 shot.
My trusty old 20 ga Rem 1100 LT. Its been my only Grouse gun for over 26 years. My backup guns are 12 ga but I have never had to use one. I still remember when I bought it new. Rem Express 2 3/4 in 7.5 is the only thing I ever use.
I’m down to one Setter and she’s 11 now, so I will just be enjoying every minute I have her out in the fields and woods. She still hunted hard last year, but enthusiasm is now far beyond her physical abilities so I need to dial her back and not over do it. I hope everyone has a great upland bird season!
I would say I’d like to pick up where we left off last winter, but her last point was on a bear in a den under a giant rotted stump, so I’d prefer not to go there again:).
WOW. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bigpike wrote:</div>
Last year was a new pup break in period for my dog so I’ll take a muligan on September hunt and see if we cant get some birds. He is much more in tune on what we hunt for now vs. last September running down every scent trail he came upon. Should be an exciting year #2.What kind of dog did you get? Did you shoot any birds over him last year?
Once October rolled around we were in birds a plenty. I shot at quite a few even hitting some now and then. 
the dog is a gsp and he is a natural since I have little to no experience training an upland bird dog. We worked on obedience in the woods and commands. He really is a pleasure to have. My wife brought him home for me on a whim since “her” dog died on her the summer before. She broke her own two rules picking this one: 1. No males 2. No gsp. The woman can sure pick them though as she is 3 for 3 with our family. Here he is with my grand niece
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Just to keep the conversation rolling and fuel my excitement for saturday… What do you guys carry/shoot for grouse?
I’ve got a 20 ga Franchi O/U with I/C and M chokes. Usually shoot 2/3″ 7.5 shot.
I recently picked up a 28 ga Ruger Red Label O/U with Skeet/IC chokes for early season when I plan to include woodcock cover (sizes 8 or 7.5). For straight grouse or later season I’ve gone nostalgic and carry a Browning O/U superlight 16 ga with IC/M (sizes 7.5 or 6). 26″ barrels on both guns.
BTW… Ammo is not the cheapest on the shelf.
I like to hear the shot gun options. My gun is 20 guage 870 pump. Basic and cheap, but Im interested in up grading at some point.
I like to hear the shot gun options. My gun is 20 guage 870 pump. Basic and cheap, but Im interested in up grading at some point.
I keep toying with the idea of having a 2nd 20 ga. Right now I would probably get a Benelli. Either Montifeltro or M2. My primary pheasant gun is a 12 ga M2 and its been flawless for many years. But I also like classic wood. My buddy has a Montifeltro and I’m afraid it’s too light, if there is such a thing? Beautiful shotgun.
My backup pheasant gun is a Franchi Infinity and I love it so much I often end up grabbing it first but Im not sure about the 20 ga version and have read of a couple instances where they had issues cycling target loads. The Franchi’s certainly hit a nice price point.
She worked for this one! Only bird flushed today.
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<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bigpike wrote:</div>
I like to hear the shot gun options. My gun is 20 guage 870 pump. Basic and cheap, but Im interested in up grading at some point.I keep toying with the idea of having a 2nd 20 ga. Right now I would probably get a Benelli. Either Montifeltro or M2. My primary pheasant gun is a 12 ga M2 and its been flawless for many years. But I also like classic wood. My buddy has a Montifeltro and I’m afraid it’s too light, if there is such a thing? Beautiful shotgun.
My backup pheasant gun is a Franchi Infinity and I love it so much I often end up grabbing it first but Im not sure about the 20 ga version and have read of a couple instances where they had issues cycling target loads. The Franchi’s certainly hit a nice price point.
I have a Benelli Montrefelto which is very similar to the M2. The primary reason I bought it is because at the time it was the lightest inertia driven 12 gauge on the market. I use it for pheasants. You are correct though, using anything bigger than a 2 3/4 inch shell really gives it too much recoil because it’s so light. The Benelli Ultralight is even lighter. You might consider that model in a 20 gauge for grouse.
She worked for this one! Only bird flushed today.
Nice start. I was tempted to take a walk yesterday but gave the trees in my yard a major haircut (not the ones that feed the grouse in winter!). Plans to walk with my daughter this a.m.
Bring em on!
Benelli Montrefelto
This in 20 gauge 26″ barrel is looking like a pretty sweet upland bird gun! And the silver is pretty!!
The ultralight looks very cool also. Might have to find a gunsmith that stocks them and feel them out. Thanks I’m gonna have to save a few pennies
I have a Benelli ultralight in 20ga…..or at least I HAD one before my boy came of shooting age…lol. It’s a sweet gun. My current grouse gun is a Browning Citori super light feather in 20. It’s a real gem of a grouse gun.
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