Michigan Opener

[Ben Lamb]

I'm sitting in my office today but hitting some spots close to home tomorrow looking for some drummers & mudbats. The dogs are suspicious and sense the change in the weather, their collars are charged & ready to beep. The gun is oiled & cleaned. The vest is loaded with #6's.

Who is getting out? Excited to be back in the woods, swearing at the brambles.

 

[Birdbander]

It's not unexpected to find someone has beaten you to a bird cover. What is unusual and a first for me is arriving to a spot and seeing a college professor and his entire bird watching class getting ready to embark on a lesson. I asked which way they were going to see if it was safe to go a different direction, he wasn't sure which way they were going. He wanted to know why I asked. I explained that I was going hunting for grouse & woodcock. I wish I could share with you the gasps and looks of horror on half of the male & female student's faces!
I didn't go far. Hopefully I'll find a bird or two & they'll hear me shoot

Jit found a group of 3 of which I managed a nice tender young one. Found 2 more together but no shots available. Good opening morning.

 

[Jmnhunter]

This is the first time I've ever been excited for grouse opener (MN) now that I have a young pointer in the household. I'll still make it out in the stand saturday morning for some deer action but I'm excited to hit the woods for those grouse despite the thick foilage!

 

[recon6036]

Good luck! Working all seems to get in my way

 

[Ben Lamb]

Someone told the black dog what day it is. She's now just staring at me.

 

[JLS]

I’m pulling dad duties today. Finn is filing the grievance papers.

 

[Beignet]

Do you guys really need dogs to shoot them out of trees and on gravel roads?

 

[Ben Lamb]

Do you guys really need dogs to shoot them out of trees and on gravel roads?

I need every bit of help I can get.

 

[NDGuy]

Do you guys really need dogs to shoot them out of trees and on gravel roads?

Well yeah, I am not getting out of my truck to go retrieve them

 

[sethkuhl]

Do you guys really need dogs to shoot them out of trees and on gravel roads?

no but when they flop below the road a dog is nice!

 

[NEWHunter]

I won’t make the opener, but I hope to spend a day or two over the line this fall. Hopefully there’s a few birds north of Land O’Lakes come late October.

Some new upland pants and high brass #6s (if I can find them) are on the shopping list yet. Good luck!

 

[Ben Lamb]

Quick walk before the heat sets in. The young chocolate got a good flush on a pat while the black dog smoked meth & ran in circles.

 

[Tradewind]

don't forget your shotgun, Lamb

 

[JLS]

Hunter by morning.

Half assed carpenter and landscaper by afternoon.

 

[Ben Lamb]

don't forget your shotgun, Lamb

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Cast on and enough for my broad, manly shoulders. You're learning compadre!

Headed out again shortly. Supposed to be hot again today so we'll hunt until 11 or so then go take a dip to cool off. Good luck Michiganders!

 

[Walkathon]

It's the opener over here in MN today and raining. No hunting for this kid.

 

[Ben Lamb]

We had a blast yesterday but the black dog paid for it with a weak rear end the rest of the day. Bad enough that she couldn't get up from the hardwood without some help a few hours after the hunt. Poor kid is only 5. This shouldn't be happening. Going to be an expensive fall figuring her out. I can't not take her, she lives for this.

 

[shrapnel]

Ben,

I would love to share a hunt like that with a nice old side by side. In Montana, as you well know, our grouse are spread out through pine forests and we don’t see the trees and undergrowth that you have there.

I’m not complaining, I wouldn’t trade Montana for any other state, but the experience of the different setting is sure inviting.

Beautiful area, but I will continue to enjoy it from here…

 

[Ben Lamb]

Come on out, @shrapnel. Plenty of room at the inn! Early is good for grouse, woodcock & you can get in on some salmon fishing as well.

 

[Birdbander]

Ben,

I would love to share a hunt like that with a nice old side by side. In Montana, as you well know, our grouse are spread out through pine forests and we don’t see the trees and undergrowth that you have there.

I’m not complaining, I wouldn’t trade Montana for any other state, but the experience of the different setting is sure inviting.

Beautiful area, but I will continue to enjoy it from here…


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Ben,

I would love to share a hunt like that with a nice old side by side. In Montana, as you well know, our grouse are spread out through pine forests and we don’t see the trees and undergrowth that you have there.

I’m not complaining, I wouldn’t trade Montana for any other state, but the experience of the different setting is sure inviting.

Beautiful area, but I will continue to enjoy it from here…


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Seems like us bird hunters are always longing to see the next cover. I dream of traipsing the mountains for the dusky grouse you all have.