Bumping grouse

Not much beats a day in the woods when a pretty pointer sticks her grouse and the hunter doesn’t miss.

The ruffed grouse is the wariest of the species hunted by bird dogs, the wisest and hardest to handle.
~ Henry P. Davis, Training Your Own Bird Dog, 1948

The perfect ruffed grouse shooting opportunity occurs when a pointing dog engages the bird so it doesn’t move. Bumping grouse happens when a dog gets too close and the bird flushes. Of all the training problems clients ask me about, this is one of the most common.

A major reason dogs bump grouse is simply the difficulty of the quarry. An occasional bump is part of grouse hunting; but if your dog bumps more than it points, something else might be going on.

Listed below are common causes and tips for improvement and correction.

→ Cover and weather conditions.
In the early part of the season especially, the cover can be thick and conditions can be warm and dry. Both make scenting extremely difficult for less-experienced dogs and challenging even for veteran grouse dogs.
Tip:  The hunter can’t do anything about this one. Wait until conditions improve.

→   Lack of experience.
It’s rare that a dog will naturally point grouse with just a few contacts. Most bird dogs need repeated exposure over several seasons.
Tip:  This is easy. Hunt more.

→   Lack of training.
The dog doesn’t know it’s supposed to stop and point.
Tip:  The dog needs to be trained to stop on WHOA.

→   Seeing grouse on the ground.
Occasionally, a dog will see a grouse on the ground and sometimes the temptation is just too much.
Tip:  Reinforce WHOA and steadiness training with a visible bird on the ground.

→   Over-exposure to planted birds.
A dog can get very close to a planted bird before it stops to point. Grouse are just the opposite and will flush if a dog gets too close.
Tip:  Stay away from the game farm for awhile and provide more exposure to grouse.

→   Genetics.
The dog lacks the ability to find and point grouse due to a bad nose, poor pointing instincts or other inherited trait.
Tip:  Thoroughly check out the breeders and breeding of your next puppy. Make sure the sire and dam—and previous generations—are proven grouse dogs.

→   Stuff happens.
Even an experienced grouse dog with a bold, confident attitude will sometimes bump a grouse.
Tip:  Exercise patience and move on.

 

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

northwoods dior 250

NORTHWOODS DIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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