Opie and I hunted Eastern WA for opening day of grouse. It was a good day for sure....the weather was good- not too hot, not too cool. We were probably at about 2500 feet of elevation give or take. Stepped into the woods right around 9am and began walking the roads / hunting the side hills.
Probably around 10am I saw a rabbit cross the trail... he stood there looking at me for a split second and I was mezmerized.... first animal of the season and by the time I was like "SHOOT" he was "SEEYA!!!" I have been slowly learning that it isn't so much about bringing something home as it is so much more than that. "So kept calm, and hunted on". And sure enough... no more than about 25 yards later Opie start gets getting birdy and grouse flushes! We got our first grouse together.
We got to the end of this trail and the side hill looked good and sure enough Opie gets up to a thicket of some kind of bush or another and out jump a family group of grouse!!! 3 flew one way and the other one flew down the side hill, darting in between pine trees. Two shots later from the Benelli and he was still flying. Darn! But still heart pounding excitement and a great memory... need more time at the range and/or maybe should hunt with 6's as it was a pretty far shot.
Thankful for a great day in the woods.
