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Forums10
Topics38,574
Posts546,485
Members14,424
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Most Online1,344
Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396 |
I have shot far more grouse without a dog than with. Hunting dogs came to me rather late.
Completely agree with walk and stop, alter cadence, go slowly. Walk too regularly and too fast, you'll go right by them. Found the same hunting pheasant dogless. I just don't do that very often.
The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,776 Likes: 760
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,776 Likes: 760 |
In a ten year study of grouse hunters and dogs hunting on the Mille Lacs WMA by the late Gordon Gullion, the most successful grouse hunting combination was a pair of hunters with a dog. Any dog, by the way. The next was a single hunter, with a dog. Any dog, again. You would be surprised how many people brought a mutt or a Collie, hunting. Least successful was a single hunter.
The key was how much ground was covered in the time spent hunting. I was involved in that study, and at the time, had a crack grouse hunting Gordon Setter. I hunted alone for a few years before that. My dad was leaving a perfectly good Irish Setter at home when he was goose hunting, so the dog would come with me when I could drive myself. When it went right, it was awesome. I admit, sometimes it didn't go exactly right. Still doesn't, but, we have fun, anyway.
If I didn't own a dog, I might not hunt. The late Don Zutz didn't hunt with dogs and preferred it that way.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 908 Likes: 31
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 908 Likes: 31 |
Ted,
I want another GSP so bad I can hardly stand it. We have 2ea. Shepherds in the house right now and a 3rd dog is a hard sell but I'm giving it hell!
Ithaca1
Bill Johnson
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,133 Likes: 601
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,133 Likes: 601 |
I'm a dogless grouse hunter in boreal forests, but everywhere else a dog is a big plus.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103 |
First thing you learn is to alter your cadence. A few steps, stop, look around, a few more, they think that they are being stalked and get real spooky. I learned as a kid that works on rabbits as well...Geo
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 532 Likes: 26
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 532 Likes: 26 |
In a ten year study of grouse hunters and dogs hunting on the Mille Lacs WMA by the late Gordon Gullion, the most successful grouse hunting combination was a pair of hunters with a dog. Any dog, by the way. The next was a single hunter, with a dog. Any dog, again. You would be surprised how many people brought a mutt or a Collie, hunting. Least successful was a single hunter.
The key was how much ground was covered in the time spent hunting. I was involved in that study, and at the time, had a crack grouse hunting Gordon Setter. I hunted alone for a few years before that. My dad was leaving a perfectly good Irish Setter at home when he was goose hunting, so the dog would come with me when I could drive myself. When it went right, it was awesome. I admit, sometimes it didn't go exactly right. Still doesn't, but, we have fun, anyway.
If I didn't own a dog, I might not hunt. The late Don Zutz didn't hunt with dogs and preferred it that way.
Best,
Ted I sure feel that way right now. Had to put my border collie mutt down back in January and its taken the bird hunt out of me. I cant complain, she was 15, and thats the deal we make when we get dogs. But, walking through the woods without her doesnt sound like fun yet. Ill hunt doves and big game until I get a new pup. Any dog that is reasonably obedient is a big help. My mutt loved to hunt but, you can train a border collie to do almost anything. Dead birds sure can be hard to find without a dog.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,032 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,032 Likes: 8 |
I walked up Pa'tridge for a couple of years before I got my dog. All of the advice that was given can't be improved upon. Most important is to walk slow through cover. Trust your instinct. If you get that feeling there's one hiding in a "grousey" looking area give it some attention. Also, listen to the woods. You'll hear them creeping around if its dry. I would walk slow, stop often and If I heard anything moving around while I was walking, I would get ready and push in.
As for having a dog, its a different experience then without one. Dead birds are much easier to find with a dog. Birds that are in the thickest hell hole you can imagine are much easier to get to with a dog, and you have your best friend with you for some memorable experiences. However, I feel that today's grouse, that are exposed to coyote, a pointer is not as effective as a flusher.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 738 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 738 Likes: 23 |
I hunted grouse for a few years after my Gordon Setter died. I was nowhere near as successful without a dog as I had been with a good dog.
She's been dead ten years now and I still miss her.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 276 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 276 Likes: 3 |
In my 40+ years (off and on) of chasing the Ruffed Grouse, I have never hunted with a dog. When the birds flush, they can be 4 feet behind me or 40 feet ahead of me. Last season was pretty grim. I managed to bring home seven grouse, with an average of 24 hours of walking per bird!
Last edited by Roundsworth; 08/23/16 04:29 PM.
GMC(SW) - USN, Retired (1978-2001)
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396 |
I hunted grouse for a few years after my Gordon Setter died. I was nowhere near as successful without a dog as I had been with a good dog.
She's been dead ten years now and I still miss her. Get another.
The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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