Post by: Roper on October 22, 2012, 09:09:44 AM
First order of business was to check on my trail camera that was "soaking" for three weeks. Well, some low life scumbag decided he needed it more than me. *censored*s...! So I consoled myself by heading into an area I know to hold grouse. Sure enough, I was presented with 3 ruffed grouse on their daily wanderings. One took off for the right hand hillside, one straight away down the road, and the last one in between them. That's the one I dropped. Never mind thinking fast enough to pick up two of them...
Saturday morning Sasha and I headed to the valley to look for pheasant. I got my vest on and geared up while Sasha burned off some energy running around like a wild girl. Once we got to the field we took our usual right hand turn towards cover that usually holds birds. Sure enough two hens burst from the brush and headed over the railroad tracks. Sasha was in hot pursuit through the barbed wire after them. It wouldn't be until much later in the day that I would discover she ripped a quarter sized hole in her skin dead center on her chest. She's a trooper and kept hunting for another 2 hours with that hole exposed to grass well over her head. After a lot of beating the brush she finally bumped up two roosters near the river from tall grass and brush. Both birds were at the edge of my range, but I tried with two shots for the trailing bird. I/C and Mod chokes couldn't deliver the payload needed at that range. Next time I'll choke the gun Mod and Full to reach out a bit more.
Sunday morning arrived too soon and cold to boot, 24 degrees at 6:00 AM as we headed home. We had to be home for a grandson's 4th birthday party. It's always a shock to go from forest to Everett in just a few hours. Though I love our house in Everett, I long for the quiet and wilds of the property. We had a large male coyote cross the yard early one morning as we ate breakfast. He had his winter coat on already and looked as if he had been eating very well. Soon I will retire and time spent there will be more frequent and longer visits.
Here's a few photos:
Grouse tail fan
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi230.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee195%2FRoper1952%2FP1010532.jpg&hash=40a67d72d823ef30f107d21e11574d84c980439b)
Woodland camouflage
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi230.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee195%2FRoper1952%2FP1010533.jpg&hash=4dd3147f1ae37c804e62c4fbb57204001d728892)
Blue grouse territory
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi230.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee195%2FRoper1952%2FP1010536.jpg&hash=bb64dbf325621ef09a24ea038326f085e7142fb6)
Forest troll
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi230.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee195%2FRoper1952%2FP1010537.jpg&hash=1e6e00d397792943ff16ce191b9eb34f7e487b0e)
Grouse breast with bell pepper, onion, and chipotle pepper
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi230.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee195%2FRoper1952%2FP1010530.jpg&hash=8d97266c33b6c3d1e6ee03965fa0c325025105fc)
Post by: Stilly bay on October 22, 2012, 03:03:47 PM
that was like a shot of vitamin B for me... I have been wanting to get after some grouse with the dogs this year but life keeps getting in the way. once the deer hunters leave the woods and some leaves fall I will get out there.
your lucky to have a base in oroville, great grousing nearby as you well know. :IBCOOL:
Post by: madcow41 on October 22, 2012, 06:16:04 PM
Post by: Roper on October 22, 2012, 06:54:57 PM
Good luck hunting...
Post by: Heartsblood on October 25, 2012, 11:35:55 AM
Glad to see you are posting again - I've always enjoyed them. When I first joined the forum, I read this entire board start to finish to learn what I could about grouse hunting. Yours have been among my favorites.
I seem to remember some that you took on back road, motorcycle grouse hunting trips? Those stuck with me. Good stuff!
Are you still active with RGS? I seem to have wandered off - it's been a coupla years now.
Post by: Roper on October 26, 2012, 09:06:54 AM
Regards, Roper
Post by: Heartsblood on October 26, 2012, 01:59:32 PM
I did some habitat work with RGS a few years back in the Sinlahekin, installing and fixing guzzlers. It was hard work but I have good memories of doing it.
I live in Everett too and have some property up in Tonasket. I've found some good grouse spots up there as a result of monthly trips. We sold the 5th wheel and so don't get up there much anymore. Sadly.
Keep posting those pics! Some great shots in there!