MT upland opener reports

[300stw]

pointing dogs and huns, no better

 

[Hunter&Huntress]

We managed to find my wife her first grouse.

 

[Irrelevant]

Wa moved to a mid September grouse opener this year... I get what they're going for but this thread is brutal c0ck tease

 

[shrapnel]

 

[Deleted member 38069]

c0ck tease

Literally!

 

[MTLabrador]

Wa moved to a mid September grouse opener this year... I get what they're going for but this thread is brutal c0ck tease

Come join Montana grouse camp next year, we should have a shoulder season on them in July at that point.

 

[802flyfish]

Kicked up about 20 Blue Grouse between two meadows while hunting SW MT for Elk. Got one with the bow. Going back tomorrow with the dog and shotgun.

 

[Slam]

shrapnel, do tell what those firearms are please.

 

[802flyfish]

Our first Grouse hunt. Bumped into a dozen or so. However, I didn’t want to shoot any that she didn’t point. Missed a few myself. Hovering around 80 degrees so we had to cut the day short.

Elevation - 8,500

 

[shrapnel]

shrapnel, do tell what those firearms are please.

Webley 12 bore 2 1/2 inch chamber. I was using some 2 inch shells on these Ruffed Grouse.



This is a Bullard lever action rifle in 40-65 Winchester, you need to shoot them in the head or neck so you have something to eat...




This is a 410 commie gun made by Saiga, it could be the most deadly gun in the woods...

 

[Hunting Wife]

4 hour drive and a change of scenery. Found a handful of birds. The cover was short and I had a heck of a time getting in range. But at least we saw some. Way out there. Waaaaaaay out there….



We worked hard for two, and by then it was getting north of 80 degrees and it was just too hot for the dog.



Of course, the one pond with water had a nice bloom of blue green algae. She was not happy with me for putting the kibosh on swimming.

 

[Walkathon]

Glad you found some birds. 80+ degrees is tough on the dog for sure.

 

[shrapnel]

Just now...

 

[twodogs]

I walked the mountains for a few hours this week and was pleasantly surprised. The dog and I saw 21 birds and were able to reduce two to possession. That's a fine day in my book!

 

[MTLabrador]

When you run out of judo points, you have to improvise.

 

[brockel]

Hopefully will get out for a couple days of bird hunting on days off. Might even have to take out the old dogs for a short walk

 

[Hunting Wife]

Hopefully will get out for a couple days of bird hunting on days off. Might even have to take out the old dogs for a short walk

Good luck! Hopefully they are decent where you are!

Had to get more strategic about it, but finally found a swath of country with better numbers.

 

[exponentialpi]

Spent 3+ days driving around looking for birds and lots of walking. Finally found a handful on the last day. Definitely going to change plans next year.

 

[shrapnel]

The quest continues, this time with a Burgess wrist-slide action shotgun...

 

[marshman]

Old WA postponed forest grouse till Sept 15 to allow this years clutch to break up before season. The goal is more grouse long term. We'll see if it helps. There's certainly fewer grouse around than when I was a kid (though I recognize that's been the claim for 100s of years).

I wondered what was up with the delayed opener, been Sept 1st forever. Yes there are fewer grouse in WA now, I know on the west side fertilizing from industrial forestry is really hard on them.