Moose's 2025 Upland Season

[bighorns2bushytails]

Hello,

Thought I posted this previously, apologies if its a double post.

Just wanted to share some pics of my dog Moose as we get ready for our first real/full season hunting.

Moose is a 2.5 year old Yellow Labrador Retriever.

He currently has his HRC Started Title and his NAHRA Hunters Title.

We train or hunt daily.  We hope to get our NAHRA Intermediate and HRC Seasoned Titles this next year.  We may also go after his HRC Upland title.

All training has been done by myself.

This is his first full year hunting.  I did a few very controlled hunts last year, mostly leaving him in the blind and worked on blinds manners and let him do a few controlled retrieves.  Did a pheasant trip or two as well, but think we only put up 2 birds all year.

Grouse is my favorite game bird.  I have always road hunted them but have always dreamed of shooting them over a dog.

We decided to kick of his 2025 season with some Grouse hunting.

All birds were shot on the flush.  No road hunting. 

Thanks for looking!

[bighorns2bushytails]

Had a little free time today so we went and go the oil changed on the diesel and hit a few new grouse spots afterwards.

First 2 spots looked fantastic but no action.  Will probably go back at least 1 more time because they looked that good.

3rd spot finally paid off.

Got this one on the way back to the truck literally AT the truck...  not sure why I walked 1.5 miles down the logging road if he was just going to come to the truck 

That is bird #13 we have flushed/seen and the 4th bird we have taken so far this season.

Cant wait to get out again.

I hope next hunt I can start earlier.  The earliest we have been able to start hunting on any given day has been 8am.  I think we may be missing the best hour or so of hunting at first light.

Thanks for looking!

[full choke]

Congratulations on a good looking hunting partner!
Thanks for sharing pics as your season progresses.