doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ruffed Grouse without a dog?

Life would have a significant void in it without dogs.

Me too- my old Setter [censored] Molly FDSB Morin's Molly Malone- from the old Mississippi Zev lineage. She was a natural on all upland birds, grouse, pheasant, woodcock and quail- back in the bird richer than now farms and coverts of Central Mich. I'll hunt for waterfowl without a dog- usually field layout shooting over decoys, where a trained sit and heel retriever is an asset, but not 100% mandatory for retrieving chores, but to hunt Sir Ruff w/o a good pointing dog that will retrieve to hand--and a fine smaller than 12 gauge side-by-=side shotgun-- "Oh Hunter, when you come at last and start me from some covert place--"

I am 75, and still have the distance vision and depth perception of my younger days, but not the stamina and legs to hold up for a day busting brush for shots at grouse without a dog- now with a good close working pointing dog, I might be persuaded to 'give it a go"

I have a nice ejector 20 Fox Sterlingworth that just might be the ticket. I know of no other upland game bird save the bobwhite that is so steeped in long years of tradition as Sir Ruff- and so be it-- Hunting grouse without the companionship of a fine bird dog, regardless of breed, is like attending a concert in Carnegie Hall (I'll pick Mozart) and having the Steinway out of tune--

I agree there. Go to the shelter get a dog any dog. There are so many there that need adoption. Sometimes, what am I talking about, a lot of times I'm thinking half way through the day that this is an act of futility, hunting grouse without a dog.

I'm going to retire next year and I will get a dog. I will have the time to train and hunt the dog on a regular basis. I can't wait.

That's great news!!!!

Ha! Not if you're married you wont!

My wife has her horses to keep her busy. She doesn't interfere with my hunting and fishing. Work does get in the way and that will be over in seven months.

Congrats. I'm 55 with a 9 year old, and on the "work 'till your dead" program.

Best,
Ted

I would add only that in walk/stop to plan your stops. You want to have vision and room to swing and shoot and an unplanned stop to move a brier or retrieve a hat will likely result in a startling and unproductive flush! Good luck!

I thought I'd be on the same program at 55. Time heals all; now I'm 68, survived my heart surgery, and all five of'em are educated, out, and on their own. I'm planning to quit in December...Geo