TheGreek
Well-known member
I’m catching an early flight out of DIA tomorrow morning to Minneapolis and then making the drive to N WI to meet a bunch of friends for our annual WI Grouse trip. One of the guys is picking me up in Minneapolis and we are gonna hunt our way up to camp. This is the fourth year we are doing this trip and it is quickly become my favorite hunting trip of the year. Good guns, good dogs, good scotch and good food. This is not a backcountry hunt in the Zirkels but it sure is a lot of fun.
Just about everyone will be using vintage SxS shotguns of various makes and countries of origin. I carry a 20 gauge AH Fox Sterlingworth Philadelphia gun from circa 1920-1921. It was a gift from my favorite Uncle Jimbo some years back and while he described it as a “ratter,” it is my most prized firearm possession. There will be a few nice English doubles in camp as well as a spectacular Parker repro in 28 gauge that belongs to the camp organizer. There should also be a gorgeous Italian 28 gauge that I keep trying to buy from the owner with a lowball offer because he does not shoot it well!
As for dogs, it will be a combination of field bred English cockers, Brittanys and vizla’s. None of my own yet, but I’m hoping to change that in the next year or two.
The travel from NW CO to DIA to MSP and then to N WI is going to be a lot more involved this year as opposed to the simple drive north from Chicago as in years past, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it once I’m there.
I’ll try to post some pictures and updates as the trip and hunts play out. Part of me feels foolish leaving NW CO in October just as 1st rifle is starting, duck season is open and the weather is turning fall, but there isn’t any ruffed grouse here and the King is calling!
Just about everyone will be using vintage SxS shotguns of various makes and countries of origin. I carry a 20 gauge AH Fox Sterlingworth Philadelphia gun from circa 1920-1921. It was a gift from my favorite Uncle Jimbo some years back and while he described it as a “ratter,” it is my most prized firearm possession. There will be a few nice English doubles in camp as well as a spectacular Parker repro in 28 gauge that belongs to the camp organizer. There should also be a gorgeous Italian 28 gauge that I keep trying to buy from the owner with a lowball offer because he does not shoot it well!
As for dogs, it will be a combination of field bred English cockers, Brittanys and vizla’s. None of my own yet, but I’m hoping to change that in the next year or two.
The travel from NW CO to DIA to MSP and then to N WI is going to be a lot more involved this year as opposed to the simple drive north from Chicago as in years past, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it once I’m there.
I’ll try to post some pictures and updates as the trip and hunts play out. Part of me feels foolish leaving NW CO in October just as 1st rifle is starting, duck season is open and the weather is turning fall, but there isn’t any ruffed grouse here and the King is calling!
