Bet on the blues

[Dave Workman]

Putting a new shotgun to work.

The 20-gauge earned its keep over the opener.  Ah, but next weekend...when the morons on motorcycles aren't quite as busy...

Found these and others right up on top of a ridge, so birds are high up. 

It's amazing what you can find by WALKING up a trail.   

As openers go, this was hokey dokey.  Dry and warm by 10 a.m. of course. 

How'd the rest of you do? 

[Big game archer]

My dad got 2 (1 blue, 1 ruffed) and I got 3 (2 blue, 1 ruffed)... pretty good opener. Flushed 13 overall but most were in thick stuff and couldn't get shots.

[Dave Workman]

Good on ya all!

I left a lot of birds where I was and am going back there this weekend to polish off a few more. 

Time to bring law 'n order to the wilds of the high country and this week's rains will help knock down the dust.  I've noticed over the years that grouse hunting always improves on a dry day — this weekend's forecast — after a few days of rain.

This fall's itinerary also includes trips over to the Little Naches country.  Anybody get up there over the weekend and didja see anything resembling dinner on two feathered legs?


Just a note:

I was using I/C and Mod. chokes with No. 6 Federals. That size shot has always been my favorite for blue grouse. 

[C-Money]

Looks like fun! We stayed close to home and had a wonderful dove shoot Sunday. Looking forward to hitting the high country after some grouse ASAP!

[Skyvalhunter]

Did pretty good on limiting out on Blues in the Methow.

[Dave Workman]

It is obvious that our warm, relatively dry spring has paid off.

I think the grouse guys who really put in the effort will have a good hunt this fall. I know my shotguns will all be busy! If only September and Octobetr could be perpetual.

 

[Skyvalhunter]

Was aways back in the Sawtooths and they have been getting plenty of rain. Talked to one lady that got dumped on last Thursday foot of water on the trail.

[Curly]

I tried out my new to me 20 ga too.  My new used gun is a Beretta Silver Snipe O/U but I will need to find a gunsmith now.  I only got one grouse, but I did find out that the gun is currently only a single shot.........something is not quite right.

[Stilly bay]

I tried out my new to me 20 ga too.  My new used gun is a Beretta Silver Snipe O/U but I will need to find a gunsmith now.  I only got one grouse, but I did find out that the gun is currently only a single shot.........something is not quite right.

That particular model of gun can detect ground swatting, it will stop working after the first one you sluice

does it have a barrel selector?

call Coles gun smithing, they are beretta experts and would give you the straightest answer.

But just for fun lets highjack Mr. Workman's thread and try and figure this out online!

[merkelman]

I tried out my new to me 20 ga too.  My new used gun is a Beretta Silver Snipe O/U but I will need to find a gunsmith now.  I only got one grouse, but I did find out that the gun is currently only a single shot.........something is not quite right.

call mike Nelson in Tacoma before he leaves for the desert. He can fix it with ease. Might be a bad inertia block.

[Curly]

I tried out my new to me 20 ga too.  My new used gun is a Beretta Silver Snipe O/U but I will need to find a gunsmith now.  I only got one grouse, but I did find out that the gun is currently only a single shot.........something is not quite right.

That particular model of gun can detect ground swatting, it will stop working after the first one you sluice

does it have a barrel selector?

call Coles gun smithing, they are beretta experts and would give you the straightest answer.

But just for fun lets highjack Mr. Workman's thread and try and figure this out online!

No selector.  It wasn't a ground sluice, but..........      I was walking thru the brush, one flushed but I couldn't get a shot; then I looked over to my left and a grouse was sitting on a tree branch ready to take flight and I swung over and took his head off. 

After the shot, a piece of spring or something was poking out near the trigger.  It's an older Silver Snipe; says made in Italy on it........it sure is a nice swinging gun.

[Dave Workman]

No selector.  It wasn't a ground sluice, but..........      I was walking thru the brush, one flushed but I couldn't get a shot; then I looked over to my left and a grouse was sitting on a tree branch ready to take flight and I swung over and took his head off. 

After the shot, a piece of spring or something was poking out near the trigger.  It's an older Silver Snipe; says made in Italy on it........it sure is a nice swinging gun.

That "should" be fairly easy to fix.

Have you popped off the stock yet to have a look?   Hurry...grouse must die.  They're out there, plotting a counter-attack. Begging for an air strike...

 

[Skyvalhunter]

Was good to get out and get a couple limits of grouse last weekend.

[Dave Workman]

Skyval...

I see a half-limit there   

Looks like you were up hunting an old meadow or clearcut.

I'm headed back to the high lonesome this weekend mah'se'f...lookin' to bring more law 'n order to them rogue blues.

Next weekend the same thing applies..  Gotta tame them fool hens before they get outa hand.

  

[pianoman9701]

Nicely done, Dave and Sky!