An early leaf fall in both Minnesota and Wisconsin seems to have been beneficial to grouse and woodcock hunters. Region-wide reports from everyone—training clients, puppy buyers, dog buyers and friends—are outstanding. All are finding plenty of grouse, and the woodcock numbers are up considerably.
Weather not only has contributed to the early leaf fall but the clear, cool days make for beautiful days in the woods. Remarkably, I’ve found grouse are moving into late season habitat earlier than usual.
My dog report:
• Guide string of CH Houston’s Belle (age 9), Blue Silk (age 10), Blue Shaquille (age 6) and Northwoods Blue Ox (age 3) are tearing up the woods and are as good as grouse dogs get. These dogs go from grouse to grouse and you better have plenty of shells when out with these dogs!
• Three younger dogs are doing well: Northwoods Prancer (Fallset Fate x Dashaway), Northwoods Chardonnay (Houston’s Belle’s Choice x Blue Shaquille) and Synder’s Liz (CH Magic’s Rocky Belleboa x CH Houston’s Belle)
• Seven-month-old dogs out of Ox and Houston’s Belle’s Choice are pointing grouse.
• Six-month-old dogs out of Ox and CH Houston’s Belle are also pointing grouse!
• Three females are part of the same grouse hunting camp and are having a blast.
What a great year to be a grouse dog—young or old—and a grouse hunter.
I was fortunate to be invited by a friend, Frankie, to his “Grouse House” on the western prairie for a few days of sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge hunting. Another friend, Ian, accompanied us.
Here’s the wrap-up.
• dog power: 8 English setters, 3 German shorthaired pointers, 1 pointer.
• sharp-tails were plentiful and lots of young birds.
• early-season, young grouse were easy for dogs to handle.
• numbers similar to what I remember from my last trip 15 years ago.
• conditions were unusually cool with snow on the last day.
Here’s the highlights:
• endless prairie.
• beautiful pastures.
• terrific dog work.
• sharp-tail appetizers.
• good friends and an excellent trip.
