Haven't been grouse hunting this fall although we were supposed to go Fri. but went rabbit hunting instead. One thing I've seen in our rabbit hunts this year is the rabbits are plentiful, the quail population seems to be good (relatively speaking), and woodcock are SUPER abundant this year. All good things considering #s were down the last couple years (due to the blizzard of '10 I believe).

Ah, Grouse hunting on a Sunday. We can only dream.

did manage to get three solid points on three birds yesterday...cover so thick no shooting opportunities even though I was closer than fifteen yards to every flush. Birds were not surprsiningly in the thickest possible tangles you could imagine

Bigbird and I hunted in Bland County on Wednesday. We jumped three grouse on this piece of private property. Most I have jumped in years.

Myself and Vagrousehunter hunted the last two days. Had 4 or 5 flushes yesterday and 11 today. Of those flushes, we actually saw 3 birds. Shot a 1 and killed it. By our usual poor standards, that was a pretty decent day. PS. Bear and deer hunters (final day) were everywhere. I've come to the conclusion there are almost more bear hunters then deer hunters these days.

my dog has been occassionally bringing some birds back to hand recently. I swear I think they look a lot like grouse, as best i can recall

Did those birds die a natural death, or lead poisoning. Just worried about the dog of course.

They perished a few yards in front of the dog. Miracle in all respects.

It happens from time to time. Not sure, but one either flew into a tree or a shot pattern. Guess I'll never know:

Is that a pigeon? Only getting one out of 11 is pretty standard. I only do a little better with dove. Don't practice enough.

Vic

Tut/VAB,

How did you all do hunting the last day of the season? Any birds take wing?

Vic

Tut and I went on the last day. We managed to hunt for three hours before the winds started howling. We had six flushes and one kill. Check out the crop contents on this bird.

That was the story this year. Find thick cover in the vicinity of acorns and you'd find birds.

Southern Appalachia has basically a zero acorn year. Also A zero grape year. Despite early season absence. Few birds have shown up in last two weeks and I have managed ba dy with two kills and a day with three kills. More than anything I was thrilled with those nice days for the sake of my setters who are in their prime but have labored through a very tough grouse season until the last few weeks.

I'm glad that you're finally into some grouse GN. Tut and I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to find some up here. They are all but gone in northern Va.