Opening day is overrated. 'Skeeters you can put a saddle on, and 1 qt. capacity ticks, to go along with birds that are mostly invisible in the cabbage, and dogs working in the heat. Good chance I'll be in the boat that day, surveying the changing colors along the shores of one of the Apostle islands. I have had a wonderful run of good weather over the years right around grouse opener, there just doesn't seem to be much difference between the warm and cold fronts on lake Superior during that part of the month, making things pleasant. The bugs also seem to be on vacation in that part of the world, at that time, as well.
I'll report exactly where the birds aren't, here in Minnesota, one month or so later. The bird counts, pheasant and grouse, sound promising.
Best,
Ted
