Grouse hunting and guiding report: 2014

Prior to a day in the woods, grouse hunters, guides and their dogs gather at Bowen Lodge on Lake Winnibigoshish. With the exception of the pointer, all the setters were bred and trained by us.

Prior to a day in the woods, grouse hunters, guides and their dogs gather at Bowen Lodge on Lake Winnibigoshish. With the exception of the pointer, all the setters were bred and trained by us.

As expected, ruffed grouse were hard to come by this year in Minnesota. The drumming counts were up last spring but the early-to-mid years of a decade have always been times of fewer grouse. The late spring and wet nesting season did not help as few broods were found. While warm temperatures in October were common state-wide, conditions varied from very dry in the northwest to quite wet in central Minnesota.

Based on personal observation as well as client reports, some areas of the state had higher numbers of birds flushed.

Low grouse numbers usually mean a higher proportion of adult birds encountered. These survivors are the most difficult for both a bird dog to handle and a for hunter to shoot. They run more, flush farther away and when they do flush, they fly low. (Age a bird shot that flushed across a trail and flew straight away and it’s likely to be an immature bird.) The woodcock numbers were again a pleasant surprise and made the spans of time between grouse flushes more exciting.

Besides all that, it was still a great season.

It doesn’t get any better than this. After a successful hunt on a quintessential autumn afternoon, Ken and his setter Roxie walk back along the tote road.

It doesn’t get any better than this. After a successful hunt on a quintessential autumn afternoon, Ken and his setter Roxie walk back along the tote road.

I spend most of October guiding out for Bill and Gail Heig of Bowen Lodge on Lake Winnibigoshish. A special group of hunters have been coming to Bowen for decades and most have become good friends. It’s always fun to see them and share our passion in the woods.

Hunters John and Brian bagged a big male drummer that had been pointed by experienced bird dog Shaq.

Hunters John and Brian bagged a big male drummer that had been pointed by experienced bird dog Shaq.

Again, as in recent low-cycle years, we all saw how valuable a savvy, experienced grouse dog can be. With their knowledge and experience, they find and point far more birds. Shaq (age 10) and Ox (age 7) perfectly fit that description; Carly and Vixen (both age 3) came into their own by mid-season. Rum Rickey and Slash filled in when needed and did solid jobs.

Ray and Carly take a break after a good morning hunt in central Minnesota.

Ray and Carly take a break after a good morning hunt in central Minnesota.

An exciting surprise was our 18-month-old pointer male, Northwoods Jaguar (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013). He showed a natural inclination to point and retrieve grouse with very little handling. His composure around game and ability to follow flushed birds and point them again was developed well beyond his young age. Jaguar’s five-month-old half sister, Platinum (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Prancer), also showed her proclivity by pointing grouse and woodcock as well as retrieving/carrying the dead birds around.

All guides and most of the guiding clients at Bowen Lodge have purchased dogs from us over the years. It’s insightful to watch the dogs develop over the years and gratifying to see the bonds between dogs and owners.

Setters include:
•    Sunny (Blue Chief x Forest Ridge Jewel, 2003)
•    Roxie (CH Terhaar’s Rocko x CH A Rolling Stone, 2005)
•    Casey (I’m Houston’s Image x Blue Silk, 2006)
•    Cammie and Daisy (Blue Chief x Blue Blossom, 2007)
•    Bobbi (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010)
•    Tyler (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011)
•    Morris (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Chardonnay, 2011)

Pointers include:
•    Maggie (Dashaway x Good Going Moxie, 2009)
•    Ice (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Black Bama, 2011)
•    Ginger (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013)

Bill Heig owns Ice (age 4) and she put on clinic after clinic. She proves there are dogs that can pin—freeze in place, not just point—ruffed grouse.

Near the swamp edge at the base of a beaver-chewed maple, Slash has his bird pinned and remains steady as Jim moves in for the shot.

Near the swamp edge at the base of a beaver-chewed maple, Slash has his bird pinned and remains steady as Jim moves in for the shot.

Mike Powers again did a great job working our young dogs. Not only does he know how to put dogs into birds, but he is extremely proficient with a shot gun, too.  Low populations can make learning about grouse more difficult and there’s only one way to get that education—keep hunting them.

A big disappointment in our central region was 12” of snow on November 10, followed by bitter cold and strong winds. That put an immediate end to all late-season hunting.

Looking ahead, I’m optimistic that next season there will be more grouse in the woods.  But even if there aren’t, I’ll still be out there!

Comments

    From field and home

    Molly (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ Ken and Caroline Taylor, Pennsylvania

    Jordy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Prancer, 2014). Look closely!
    ~ Mark and Janie Fouts, Wisconsin

    Speck (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018)
    ~ Mike Watson, Pennsylvania

    RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017)
    ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin

    Annie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017)
    ~ Lynn and Kathy Olson, Iowa

    Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022)
    ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota

    Harper (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022)
    ~ Tom Dosen-Windorski, Minnesota

    Attie (Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Arizona

    Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019)
    ~ Eric and Lindsey Saetre, Minnesota

    Chester (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023)
    ~ The Milles Family, Minnesota

    Millie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017)
    ~ Mercer Clark, Georgia

    Belle (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Kevin Sipple, Wisconsin

    Piper (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021)
    ~ Tom and Ashton McPherson, Pennsylvania

    Tork (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Nik Zewers, Minnesota

    Fred Dog (Northwoods Rob Roy x Northwoods Minerva, 2019)
    ~ Chris and Maggie Standish, Pennsylvania

     

    Phoebe (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2018)
    ~ Brandon Boedecker, Montana

    Earl (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Valencia, 2020)
    ~ Craig Purse, Wisconsin

    Ginny (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Pat Kane, Montana

    Valencia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, and Tasha (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz, 2012)
    ~ Tim Esse, Minnesota

    Flirt (CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021)
    ~ Frank Ilijanic, Michigan

    Macquina (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021)
    ~ Jeremy Moore Family, Wisconsin

     

    Caddie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania

     

    Madji (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Stardust, 2021)
    ~ Ron and Lora Nielsen, Minnesota

     

    Maisy (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ Zenas and Susanne Hucheson, Massachusetts

     

    Russell (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Nathan and Gretchen Johnson Family, Minnesota

     

    Willie (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Minerva, 2021)
    ~ Chris Smith, Wisconsin

     

    Junie (CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021)
    ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana

     

    Jones (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022)
    ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois

     

    Enni (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar 2022)
    ~ Eric and Lindsey Saetre, Minnesota

     

    Attie(CH Southern ConfidencexNorthwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Minnesota

     

    Layla (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ Skyler and Jen Gary, Colorado

    Frisco (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014), on left, and Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022)
    ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota

     

    RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017)
    ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin

     

    Watson (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013), on left, and Walker (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ The Long Family, Ontario, Canada

     

    Northwoods Highclass Kate (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010)
    ~ Barry and Jill Frieler, Minnesota

     

    Pep (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ The McCrary Family, Michigan

     

    Maple (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022), on left, and her pal
    ~ The Watson Family, Montana

    Rip (Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023), on left, and Flint (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2015)
    ~ Ben and Adrian Kurtz, Colorado

     

    Attie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Minnesota

     

    Luna (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon 2017)
    ~ The McCrary Family, Michigan

     

    Stoeger (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013), on right, and Chester (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023)
    ~ The Milles Family, Minnesota

     

    CH Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), on left, and Eddie (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2023)
    ~ Ben and Maureen McKean, Minnesota

     

    Griffin (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2023)
    ~ The Johnson Family, Minnesota

     

    Annie (CH Rufus del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021)
    ~ The Sligh Family, Georgia

    Chrissy (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022), on left, and Carly (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015)
    ~ Bob and Carol Berry, Wyoming

     

    Sage (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022)
    ~ The Orstad Family, Minnesota

    Dottie (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Betty, 2020)
    ~ Tom (on left) and Lauren Strand, Minnesota

     

    Lacey (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2020)
    ~ Zenas and Susanne Hutcheson, Massachusetts

     

    Smooch (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013)
    ~ Wayne and Julie Grayson, Mississippi

     

    Cali (CH Ponderosa Mac x Northwoods Redbreast, 2022)

    ~ Tom and Sam Dosen-Windorski, Minnesota

    Biscuit (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011), litter sister to our beloved Grits
    ~ Ryan and Monica Gould, Minnesota

     

    Rayna (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017)
    ~ Jeff Bird, Oregon

     

    Lexi (CH True Confidence x Southern Songbird, 2019), Izzie (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011), Cooper (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
    ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Arizona

    Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011)
    ~ Jessica Kramer, Wisconsin

     

    Jenny (CH Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Carbon, 2016)
    ~ John and Jeri Cleverdon, Michigan

     

    Lacey (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016)
    ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania

     

     

    Jade (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
    ~ Frank Ilijanic, Michigan

     

    Jones, on left, and Nellie (both out of CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022)
    ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois
    ~ Gregg and Sherrie Knapp, Wisconsin

     

    Tippy (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Bill and Gail Heig, Minnesota

     

    Dexter (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022)
    ~ Mike Rosario, Wisconsin

    Jones (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022), on left, Stella (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015), center, Rose (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost, 2010), on right
    ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois

     

    Rip (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Mark and Jana Fitchett, Kansas

    Willow (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Rhon and Lori Tranberg, Indiana

     

    Madison (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2018)
    ~ Barry and Jill Frieler, Minnesota

     

    Lady P (RU-CH Erin's Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018)
    ~ DeWolf Emery, Maine

    Nellie (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017)
    ~ Dick and Melanie Taylor, Michigan

     

     

    Elmer (Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s
    Choice, 2014), Annie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), Sig (Northwoods Rob Roy x Northwoods Minerva, 2019), front to back
    ~ The Olson Family, Illinois
    ~ Kathy and Lynn Olson, Iowa
    ~ Chris Bye, Wisconsin

    Winston (CH Rufus Del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021)
    ~ The Short Family, Oregon

     

    Cosmos (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019)
    ~ The Collins Family, Georgia

     

    Northwoods Diana (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017)
    ~ Lynn and Kathy Olson, Iowa

     IN LOVING MEMORY

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    NORTHWOODS DIOR

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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