2005-2006

Grouse populations can vary greatly from year to year.  An area may produce steady numbers of grouse for several years and then dry up with no warning.  To find where the grouse are each season takes a lot of time and a lot of reconning.  In the last couple of years, with our increased devotion to waterfowl hunting and with increased responsibilities away from the field, we have not devoted the time necessary to regularly flush and kill grouse.  Combine this with the privatization of several of our producing grouse areas, and the K&R grouse drought of four years can be explained.  However, the experienced hunter is always alert to nature's voice and over the last couple of years, she has been telling us that two of our favorite waterfowl hunting areas were holding grouse and woodcock.  So, after talking about it for a while, we took lead along with our steel and the result was  sweet success.  Even better than putting two grouse (and a woodcock) in the bag again this season was the identification of two upland game bird areas that hopefully will provide us with some solid hunting opportunities for the next several years. 

12.26.05

Finally, the drought is over.  The King is holding a beautiful grouse shot over a rock-solid Timber point.  Two weeks prior, while duck hunting, we put 10 grouse up from this area but only had duck loads.  On this day we only flushed one, but with Timber's help, got it.

2.24.06

The Rooster with a second grouse taken from our new hunting ground.  Again Timber came through; when walking back to the truck she pointed from the road down over the hill side.  After a couple of circumspect stares we decided to get in shooting positions.  That was a good idea, and we took home another grouse.

2006-2007

In 2006-2007, we again made successful use of our newer grouse options.  While one proved to be a disappointment, the other again gave us solid, if not stellar, flush amounts.   As usual with grouse, flushes did not mean birds in the bag, however.  Finally, in the season's last hunt, a grouse took a wrong turn and we took it down.  It fell into the water of a creek and Timber, in an unheard of move, jumped into the creek and retrieved it.  A very cool moment.  We are again, however, being squeezed by the lack of options. For us to continue to be able to have a couple of good grouse hunts a year, we are again going to have to devote some time to securing new options.  This, combined with a string of favorable May weather patterns, should ensure that we continue to put grouse in the bag. 

2.23.07

The King with a grouse taken on the last weekend of the season.  Amazingly Timber, who would not cooperate in the picture-taking, jumped into the creek seen in the background to retrieve the bird.